A look inside Hollywood and the movies incorporating Outtakes, Cinefile and Production Chart. : Off-Centerpiece : . . . And a Terminator T-Shirt for Kevin

Who’s the heir to Batman and Dick Tracy in this year’s summer-movie merchandising tie-in sweepstakes?

Get ready for Robin Hood breakfast cereal, Terminator video games and Rocketeer watches. Add in a few “101 Dalmatians” “Happy Meals” from McDonald’s as well.

If Hollywood’s production companies have their way, you’ll be seeing a lot of these characters on T-shirts and pajamas, as toys and video games. One major studio plans a massive sweepstakes contest with lottery-like scratchcards and prizes from major corporations as a way to lure audiences to its summer films.

Most movie companies are reluctant to discuss, or are staying completely mum, about their promotional strategies and product licensing plans. The aim, of course, is to to keep their competitors guessing as long as possible. And with an estimated 55 movies from the major studios to be released between late May and September, that means a lot of competition for moviegoers.

About 35% of yearly movie admissions are sold during the summer. “When you’ve got that kind of potential for audience,” says Carolco Pictures’ president of licensing, Danny Simon, “the kind of exposure you get with film tie-ins is vital for us.”

Carolco and Tri-Star Pictures will release “Terminator 2,” the sequel to its 1984 sleeper hit starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on July 3. Simon estimates that Carolco’s promotional plans for licensing the Terminator name and image could mean an additional $3 million to $5 million in TV advertising support for the film.

Citing high audience recognition of the title, plus Schwarzenegger’s drawing power, Simon says the corporations that have signed licensing agreements are “feeling mildly estatic” about the sales prospects. Among the tie-ins: a “Terminator” line of toys and puppets from Kenner Products in time for Christmas; pinball and video arcades games using actual footage from “Terminator 2” from Williams Bally Manufacturing Co.; a Marvel Comics series; a Bantam Books novelization; trading cards from Impel Marketing that will be available in 300,000 U.S. outlets; Milton Bradley jigsaw puzzles and a home video game from Acclaim Entertainment.

There will also be an eight-week “meal deal” promotion from the Subway sandwich chain and Pepsi tied to “Terminator,” with the image of Big Arnold staring at customers from signs in all of Subway’s thousands of U.S outlets. Simon says that the movie will also get “sensory support” from a male fragrance called Hero, from Faberge Inc. The toiletry and cosmetic manufacturer will promote the line with special “Terminator” displays at the 20,000 U.S. retail outlets that carry its products.

But even before the campaign for “Terminator 2” gets under way, Warner Bros. will be in full swing promoting its big June 14 summer entry, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” starring Kevin Costner. The Oscar-winning producer-director of “Dances With Wolves” is shedding his Civil War soldier’s uniform, mustache, beard and Indian garb for Robin Hood’s pre-Renaissance costume.

But just as in “Wolves,” he’ll be riding a horse and shooting bows and arrows. All of which will be capitalized on by Kenner Toys, which will introduce a line of toys just as the movie opens, featuring Costner’s likeness on the boxes. The toys will re-create Sherwood Forest and its environs, catapults, and characters like Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

You’ll see Robin Hood on the grocery shelves too. Warner Bros. director of worldwide public relations and international marketing Karine Joret confirms that Ralston Purina will offer a “Prince of Thieves” breakfast cereal in June. Joret describes it as “wholesome” and “fruit-flavored” but wouldn’t say what shape the cereal is in.

There won’t be a fast-food tie-in for “Robin Hood,” after talks with the Taco Bell chain fell through, according to Warner Bros.’ president of worldwide advertising and publicity, Robert Friedman. But Friedman promises that the Kenner and cereal deals are “the underpinnings to a very massive marketing push” that will include such other “Robin Hood”-inspired items as leather and suede outerwear, sleeping bags, T-shirts, pajamas and video games and computer software.

Orion Pictures is promoting its May 10 release of “FX 2--The Deadly Art of Illusion,” the sequel to the 1986 thriller “F/X,” starring Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy, with a telephone sweepstakes contest that began this month. It also signed with Budweiser to sponsor preview screenings in the 25 top markets, which were promoted by Budweiser’s network of distributors and supported by local radio advertising. Also planned are “FX 2” contests, sponsored GM/Pontiac dealers in association with local theaters and radio stations.

Without the benefit of a previous film or highly recognized image, Walt Disney Pictures has its work cut out for it with the June 21 release of “The Rocketeer,” which reportedly cost $35 million to produce. The movie features Alan Arkin and Timothy Dalton in leading roles, but the title character is played by relative unknown William O. Campbell, who previously had a minor role on the TV series “Dynasty.”

Disney reportedly plans a major television advertising campaign to sell “The Rocketeer,” which is based on the character from a not very well known comic book of the same name about a daring pilot who flies using a rocket pack.

Expect to see corporate tie-ins for “The Rocketeer”--nearly 30 in all, including such products as M&Ms; and Mars candies, fashions, toys and watches. Disney says it will also utilize its publishing, merchandising and Disney Channel subsidiaries to promote the film, as it did with “Dick Tracy.”

Then, along about July, watch for Disney to go all out for its re-release of the 1961 animated favorite “101 Dalmatians.” According to the trade paper Advertising Age, Disney will team with McDonald’s for a “Happy Meal” promotion, Mattel will introduce a plush toy dog line and 35 million specially marked Cheerios boxes will have “101 Dalmatians” toy coupons inside.