Marvel Studios

[kaytee]

Marvel Studios' Upcoming Slate

Marvel Entertainment has releases its Q2 2006 Earnings which includes an updated list of upcoming projects for Marvel Studios. We've left off the projects that have already been released:

Licensed Marvel Character Feature Film Line-Up For 2007

Ghost Rider, Sony - In post-production, February 16, 2007 release
Spider-Man 3, Sony - In production, May 4, 2007 release
Fantastic Four 2, Fox - In early pre-production, June 15, 2007 release

Film Projects Being Developed by Marvel (Partial List)

The first two films are anticipated for release in 2008.

Ant-Man, Marvel - Writer and director engaged
Captain America, Marvel - Writer engaged
The Incredible Hulk, Marvel - Writer and director engaged
Iron Man, Marvel - Writer and director engaged, slated for May 2, 2008
Nick Fury, Marvel - Writer engaged
Thor, Marvel - Writer engaged

The Avengers, Black Panther, Cloak & Dagger, Doctor Strange, Hawkeye,
Power Pack and Shang-Chi are also projects to be developed by Marvel.

Licensed Marvel Character Film Development Pipeline (Partial List)

Wolverine, Fox - TBD
The Punisher 2, Lionsgate - TBD
Magneto, Fox - TBD
Namor, Universal - TBD
Luke Cage, Sony - TBD

Marvel Character Animated TV Projects in Development

Fantastic Four, Moonscoop SAS (France) - 26, 30 minute episodes airing in 2006; U.S. distribution expected on Cartoon Network
Wolverine, First Serve Toonz (India) - 26, 30 minute episodes in development
Iron Man, Method Films (France) - 26, 30 minute episodes in development

Marvel Character Animated Direct-to-Video Projects in Development

Partnership with Lionsgate to develop, produce and distribute original animated DVD features. Titles include: Ultimate Avengers 2 (scheduled for August 8, 2006), Iron Man and Doctor Strange.

Marvel Character Live Action TV Projects (Partial List)

Alter Ego and Skrull Kill Krew in development.

2006 Video Game Releases

Activision, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - To be released Q4 2006

[fizz]

After we're done watching movies about Marvel characters, maybe they'll start making movies their employees. I'd like to see one about the megalomaniac Stan Lee first.

[X.]

lol, with all the biopics in development (PKD, etc) your suggestion makes great economic and creative sense.

[shariqq]

Nick Nolte can play him.

[X.]

Nolte is too tall and handsome and charming to play Stan Lee. Sorry Fizz!

[fizz]

Considering the wealth of movie cameo's the man has done, he should play himself.

Ak you're right...Nolte is too good looking for someone like Stan Lee.

The only actor I can think of who would do the role justice is Andy Serkis

[ozzylogic]

Punisher 2...bwahahahahaha!

[sulphurhead]

i don't think nick nolte could pull off a young stan lee.

[kaytee]

Jon Voight?

[madali]

They should make a Marvel VS DC trilogy!

[madali]

In the last installment, we'll get to see <b>DARK CLAW</b>

[fizz]

In the last installment, we'll get to see <b>DARK CLAW</b>

you know about dark claw?

Cool....

[animatedude]

David Carradine can do it.

[fizz]

In the words of Lee himself (from silverbulletcomicbooks.com):

Meth: Who should play Stan Lee in “The Stan Lee Story?”

Lee: Let’s see… I could go for Robert Redford, Paul Newman… Errol Flynn isn’t around anymore… Marlon Brando would probably be interested…

[kaytee]

Marvel Enterprises will pay Paramount, or any other studio, a 10% distribution fee as it sets out to make its own pics.

Company disclosed the maximum fee allowable under its loan structure during a conference call with Wall Streeters. Briefing was designed to introduce the studio's new management team sans Avi Arad and detail its upcoming slate.

The absence of Arad, who shocked many by stepping down from his post as chairman of Marvel Studios in May, was somewhat surprising as he is still producing several Marvel pics and is drawing his full salary until the end of the year as a "creative adviser."

Asked about Arad's absence, a Marvel spokesman noted that "Avi has his own production company now, and these are the Marvel executives putting forth the long-term strategy."

Investors and the press had become used to the boisterous exec as the public face of the company; Thursday call was the first major Marvel Studios event with prexy Michael Helfant and production topper Kevin Feige out front.

Marvel will use the $525 million Merrill Lynch debt facility to fund its slate, which will kick off with "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk" in 2008. Par is set to release most of the Marvel pics, although Universal will distribute "Iron Man."

Responding to an analyst's question, studio execs said they aren't worried about saturating the marketplace by turning out two pics a year. They said there continues to be a "large appetite" for such pics.

Films are expected to cost $130 million or less.

Marvel execs also tried to allay concerns over New Line putting "Iron Man" into turnaround and U giving back the rights for the "Hulk" sequel. They said these are common practices in Hollywood.

Asked about potential sequels, studio said there would probably be a gap of 18-30 months between installments.