Licensing Italia interviewed Philippe Roucoule, Senior Vice President Consumer Products – EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery, to delve into the strategies and upcoming developments related to the company’s major global franchises—from Superman and Harry Potter to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. An exclusive look at future activations, exciting collaborations, and the growing role of licensing in connecting fans through experiences, products, and storytelling.
LI: As you near the theatrical release of Superman on July 9. Can you tell us more about the upcoming developments related to this IP and any other plans for the DC universe that you are able to share today?
2025 has been an incredibly busy and exciting year for DC, and there’s still so much to come! The release of DC Studios’ highly anticipated film Superman on 9th July is a landmark moment. From a Global Consumer Products perspective, we’re supporting this tentpole with one of the largest global licensing programs we’ve ever executed.
We’ve partnered with over 100 brands—from Mattel, Jazwares, Funko, Pets + People, Fossil, and Build-A-Bear—to bring the exciting story by James Gunn to life across toys, fashion, publishing, home décor, and products for pets!
The product range is vibrant and optimistic, while celebrating Superman’s strength and heroism. In addition to the original Super Hero, we’re already laying the groundwork for future activations tied to upcoming titles from DC Studios, ensuring that fans can engage with the DC Universe with high quality, collectible, and culturally resonant collections.
The wider DC slate offers hugely exciting possibilities for consumer products and licensing. For example, we are already working towards “Supergirl,” ahead of its 2026 release in movie theaters. This film is looking incredible, and we are excited about the way that it could open up a host of new areas, licenses, partnerships and categories. We can’t share too much but we are really looking forward to supporting a story that is out-of-this-world (literally).
One of the really wonderful things about DC is there are so many beloved stories, characters and locations for us and partners to highlight and celebrate in new ways.
The vast library also offers us creative ways to engage existing DC fans in surprising ways while appealing to new fans. Look at animated series like DC and WB Animation’s “Batwheels” and DC Studios’ “Creature Commandos” on Max, or the upcoming DC Studios film “Clayface.” Each production features a different tone and presents new possibilities to develop entertaining products. It’s a very exciting time for us!
LI: On September 19, an interactive exhibition dedicated to Harry Potter will open in Milan, as part of an ongoing European tour, in 2026, the first film in the series will celebrate its 25th anniversary, and the cast of the new TV series was recently announced. Can you tell us any more about your plans for this much-loved IP?
It’s an exciting time to be a Harry Potter fan, that’s for sure! The Harry Potter franchise continues to be one of the most beloved and globally resonant properties in our portfolio. We’re thrilled to bring Harry Potter: The Exhibition to Milan as part of its European tour. This immersive experience allows fans to celebrate the world of Harry Potter like never before – Location based experiences like this are a wonderful asset as they keep fans engaged and entertained and ensuring that our franchises stay feeling relevant to them is critical.
The Harry Potter brand is a real joy. In consumer products, our creative teams and brilliant partners work closely together to bring to life the iconic stories, characters, locations and adventures that we know our fans love in ways that truly surprise and delight, identifying real fan favourite aspects and those ‘if you know, you know’ moments that speak to the shared community language that we know fans speak.
With the recent announcement of the new Harry Potter TV series cast, we’re entering a new era for the franchise. This series will reintroduce the beloved stories to a new generation, and from a licensing perspective, it opens up fresh creative opportunities across categories—from fashion and collectibles to digital content and beyond.
And of course, the classic films continue to be very important to us. The 25th Anniversary of the first film is a major milestone, and we’re planning a global celebration that spans consumer products, publishing, retail activations, and themed experiences. It’s a moment to honour the legacy while also looking to the future.
Our goal is to ensure that every fan, no matter their age or where they are in the world, can find a way to connect with the magic.
LI: There is growing excitement in Milan, across Italy, and around the world for the upcoming XXV Winter Olympic Games of Milano Cortina 2026. Your relationship with the Olympic Committee already seems well established since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Can you tell us more about this collaboration?
We are very proud of our partnership with the International Olympic Committee and seek to bring the Olympic spirit to life through storytelling, creativity, and consumer engagement, in connection with some of our best loved Looney Tunes characters.
Following the success of our collaboration during Paris 2024, we’re incredibly proud to extend that momentum into Milano Cortina 2026.
For the Winter Games, we’re leveraging the global appeal of our iconic Looney Tunes characters to create a dynamic and playful merchandise program that celebrates Olympic values. Looking forward to 2026, the Looney Tunes will once again be cheering on the athletes and entertaining fans during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games, with fresh new content and of course, more exclusive merch.
From Bugs Bunny to Lola and Daffy, these characters exemplify the teamwork, camaraderie, athleticism, and competition that define the Games.
This collaboration is part of the IOC’s global licensing initiative, and it allows us to connect with fans of all ages through apparel, toys, accessories, and more. We can’t wait to reveal more about our plans in due course.
LI: The Game of Thrones series played a crucial role in HBO’s success in the U.S. Do you think the release of new spin-off seasons will be a driver for the licensing of the GOT franchise?
Absolutely. The Game of Thrones franchise remains one of the most iconic and globally resonant properties in our portfolio and every piece of content represents a tremendous opportunity not only to expand the storytelling universe but also to reinvigorate the franchise across all consumer touchpoints.
From a licensing perspective, these new narratives allow us to reimagine the brand across categories and engage fans in a whole new way, drawing in both loyal fans and new audiences.
LI: 2026 will also mark the 25th Anniversary of The Lord of the Rings. Can you share any plans related to this milestone?
The Lord of the Rings is a franchise that has defined epic storytelling for a generation. It’s a moment we’ll be celebrating in a big way across our global consumer products strategy.
This anniversary is an opportunity to honour the legacy while inviting fans long-time and new back into Middle–earth through products that are rich in storytelling, craftsmanship, and cultural relevance.
It’s a rare opportunity to blend nostalgia with innovation – particularly as excitement grows for fans toto dive into ‘The Lord of The Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’, which is set to hit theatres in 2027. We’re working closely with our partners to ensure the celebration and build up is as epic as the films themselves!
We can’t share too much at this stage, but we are planning a multi-tiered licensing program that will span many different categories.
LI: There’s been a lot of talk about the Kidult phenomenon. Which brands in your library work best for you within this demographic?
The Kidult trend is one we’ve been closely attuned to for a long time. It is not just a trend, it’s a powerful consumer segment where adults are embracing nostalgia, play, and fandom as part of their identity. These are adults who grew up with our brands and now have the means and desire to reconnect with them in meaningful ways.
The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter both resonate with this audience, particularly through high-end collectibles, fashion collaborations, and immersive experiences that allow fans to express their passion in sophisticated ways.
Our broader portfolio is also incredibly well-positioned for Kidults. We also see tremendous traction with brands like Looney Tunes and DC. These properties offer rich storytelling and iconic characters that appeal to adult collectors, pop culture enthusiasts, and fans of design-led merchandise.
Whether it’s a premium Batman figure, a Bugs Bunny streetwear drop, or a themed Hogwarts homeware line, it’s about delivering authenticity, quality, and emotional connection—because Kidults aren’t just buying products, they’re investing in stories that shaped who they are.
