Lions Gate Ent. has been granted film rights to develop, produce and distribute theatrical films based upon Marvel properties -- IRON FIST and BLACK WIDOW. Marvel and Lions Gate will share equally in certain revenues derived from the properties, with Lions Gate funding development, production and distribution and Marvel handling all merchandising in connection with the films. The companies have also announced their plans to begin developing THE PUNISHER II.
IRON FIST follows Danny Rand, who is raised by monks and trained in the ancient technique of the Iron Fist, which grants its users the power to level a building with a single blow and gives them complete control over their mind, body and spirit. Rand returns to America to avenge the murder of his parents. BLACK WIDOW follows a KGB-trained spy, Natasha Romanov, who tries to find her way in the world without borders formed by the fall of the Berlin Wall.
"We like to create alliances with companies that have powerful brands, and Marvel has one of the most popular, exciting and recognized brands in the world," said Lions Gate ceo Jon Feltheimer. "We believe that the nationwide launch of THE PUNISHER and access to two more cutting-edge Marvel characters will kick off a long-term relationship between Lions Gate and Marvel that is rich with opportunity across all of our core businesses."
Marvel Enterprises is a leading global character-based entertainment licensing company, with the world's largest character library of more than 4,700 properties. Principally focused on licensing, Marvel has talented creative teams in its Consumer Products (licensing), Marvel Studios, Marvel Comics and Toy Biz divisions. These divisions support the development of a broad range of entertainment (film/television/DVD), consumer products, toys, comics/trade paperbacks and promotions based on the Marvel characters. Visit http://www.marvel.com for more information.
Lions Gate Entertainment is a leading diversified independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. For further information, visit www.lionsgatefilms.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
