Hasbro freezes out Mattel with new Disney deal

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — The toy wars just got a bit colder thanks to Disney's "Frozen," with Hasbro wrestling the rights for dolls from the hit movie away from its rival Mattel.

Hasbro Inc. announced Wednesday that its new deal with Disney Consumer Products will give it global rights — with the exception of Japan — to develop dolls based on "Frozen."

The Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based toy company will also make dolls based on Disney Princess stories and characters including Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast and The Little Mermaid.

Disney Consumer Products spokeswoman Joss Hastings said in an interview that the rights for the "Frozen" dolls will shift from Mattel to Hasbro in the spring of 2016.