September 8th, 2026 – Tempe, AZ – McFarlane Toys announces Joshua Izzo will be joining McFarlane Toys as its new President, effective September 8th, 2026. Joshua brings nearly three decades of experience across toys, licensing, entertainment and franchise development.
Joshua joins McFarlane Toys from James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment, where he spent nearly a decade in senior leadership, most recently as Executive Vice President. He has overseen franchise strategy, new business development and ancillary storytelling across the Avatar universe, working closely with creative, licensing, theatrical and strategic partners to build and expand one of entertainment's most iconic film properties.
Earlier in his career, Joshua held licensing and brand franchise roles at 20th Century Fox Consumer Products and Capcom Entertainment, along with leadership positions at Hasbro and 4Kids Entertainment, giving him an impressive background and well-rounded perspective that spans toy development, global licensing and franchise management.
"I could not be more excited and energized to join this incredibly talented team. McFarlane Toys has proven to be an innovative and ground-breaking leader in the toy and collectible space for over thirty years, and I look forward to helping take this business to new heights in the future" said Joshua Izzo, President.
"I’ve had the good fortune, over the past three decades, to work side-by-side with so many talented people who have helped McFarlane Toys become a strong presence in the toy collectible area. Joshua Izzo will add significantly to that list of innovative thinkers. His long stewardship in the toy arena will be of great value as McFarlane Toys looks to continue our stance as one of the industry leaders. Having worked with so many of the biggest players, and their brands in Hollywood, gives us a new president with valuable inside knowledge of all aspects of branding and toy making. Which makes our future something I am looking forward to!" said Todd McFarlane, Founder & CEO.
“Joshua brings a unique combination of experience across toys, licensing and entertainment, that I believe will be incredibly valuable to McFarlane Toys,” said Stephan Tetrault, Co-owner. “We believe there is still a lot of room for McFarlane to grow, and Joshua’s experience and leadership will be an important part of helping us get there while building on everything that has made the company successful.”
Joshua’s appointment as President marks an important step in McFarlane Toys' continued evolution as the company builds on its legacy while pursuing new opportunities across toys, collectibles, licensing and entertainment. He will guide the company's next phase of growth as it continues to expand its business and strengthen its position within the toys and collectibles industry.
Hopefully he shakes things up, they really need it.
2 hours ago, Admiralty_Entertainment said:Getting the DC license catapulted McFarlane Toys to a level they simply had never had before and won't have again unless they can snag a similar evergreen brand on a long term. Getting someone with such a licensing background clearly shows they're trying to up the amount and prominence of the licenses they get. I can't help but wonder if they were dealing with him at Lightstorm on the Avatar licensed lines and that's as much of a reason they've got him, but it really comes down to what they actually *do* with licenses rather than just getting them. If something as relatively easy to get like the Image Founder licenses result in overpriced figures like they're currently doing, they're never going to be able to scale back up to the levels that being able to pump out a dozen Batmen allowed them to.
I think McFarlane is just going to decline into silence, they really don't have anything that will give them any footing, like DC did, as you said it was what catapulted them into a position to actually stand next to the other major brands, they couldn't even possibly get a license that would make the money they were seeing from DC, they don't have a chance, they will take such a massive financial hit, and be relegated to niche product, sure they have Marvel Statues...it's the only little crumb, but that's likely costing them more to hold the license then they are making, Sadly I'm sure McFarlane will become one of those companies that fade out like they did in the mid-2000's. They can't even make their little Ninja Turtle figures anymore...What Sports picks and overpriced Image figures are people running to buy?
3 hours ago, Jscott991 said:This is just like taking over for Captain Edward Smith at 11:45 PM on April 14, 1912.
Yeah, too late for them to save the only thing they were doing that I truly cared about. I mean the occasional Spawn fig is fine but it's not what gets me to check Big Bad or MTS on a regular basis...
3 hours ago, Lord_Scareglow said:This is stinkin like McFarlane is in dire straits, and trying to get a new position, since it's leader license DC is gone-o, and he pretty much just has raggedy ends, Like not sure he's got a lot going to compete with any major toy manufacturer going into 2027, so it's to for a re-calibration, makes sense sure, but seems scared, and about to make some big changes.
Getting the DC license catapulted McFarlane Toys to a level they simply had never had before and won't have again unless they can snag a similar evergreen brand on a long term. Getting someone with such a licensing background clearly shows they're trying to up the amount and prominence of the licenses they get. I can't help but wonder if they were dealing with him at Lightstorm on the Avatar licensed lines and that's as much of a reason they've got him, but it really comes down to what they actually *do* with licenses rather than just getting them. If something as relatively easy to get like the Image Founder licenses result in overpriced figures like they're currently doing, they're never going to be able to scale back up to the levels that being able to pump out a dozen Batmen allowed them to.
1 hour ago, Cxb452 said:Are they looking to push Todd out, or maybe move him into a more advisory role? He's 65 so it would make sense if he's looking to step back.
Todd is still the owner and CEO, which is different from President, but Izzo will be taking over some responsibilities from Todd and sharing others with him.
3 hours ago, AshleyWilbanks said:Smells like a company is preparing to go public...
45 minutes ago, Cxb452 said:Are they looking to push Todd out, or maybe move him into a more advisory role? He's 65 so it would make sense if he's looking to step back.
This is stinkin like McFarlane is in dire straits, and trying to get a new position, since it's leader license DC is gone-o, and he pretty much just has raggedy ends, Like not sure he's got a lot going to compete with any major toy manufacturer going into 2027, so it's to for a re-calibration, makes sense sure, but seems scared, and about to make some big changes.
This is just like taking over for Captain Edward Smith at 11:45 PM on April 14, 1912.
Are they looking to push Todd out, or maybe move him into a more advisory role? He's 65 so it would make sense if he's looking to step back.
Maybe he can direct Todd to people that know how to make action figures
Smells like a company is preparing to go public...
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