Marvel movie news

[Alzrius]

Marvel was recently very forthcoming about their upcoming movie projects in their recent Q3 report:

Marvel’s report also listed its upcoming film releases:

The Punisher Artisan Entertainment April 16, 2004

Spider-Man 2 Sony/Columbia July 2, 2004

Blade 3 New Line Cinema August 12, 2004

Man-Thing Fierce/Artisan August 26, 2004

Fantastic Four Fox December 24, 2004

Films/characters in active development, according to Marvel, include:

X-Men 3 Fox Film

The Hulk 2 Universal Pictures Film

Namor Universal Pictures Film

Elektra New Regency / Fox Film

Iron Man New Line Cinema Film

Ghost Rider Sony Film

DeathLok Crystal Sky/ Paramount Pictures Film

Blade Animation MTV TV

[...]

During Marvel’s conference call, Avi Arad said that he wished to clear up some misinformation about Marvel’s relationship with Artisan, stating that the studio (which was just acquired by Lion’s Gate) does not have “15 Marvel properties.” The only property Artisan has any stake in currently is Punisher. Arad said that if things go well between Artisan and Lion’s Gate, Marvel may expand and/or continue their relationship with the studio. Arad stressed that, despite reports, Artisan does not have the rights to Iron Fist and Black Panther.

Other topics mentioned by Arad included:

- Spider-Man 2 just completed principle photography
- Iron Man is targeted to be a PG-13 release and on target for a ’05 release.
- Elektra, which is in current development, will be the “sequel” to Daredevil, with the character first appearing there, and then be reunited with Daredevil in Daredevil 2.
- Marvel is “feverishly” working on Fantastic Four with Fox, and that the studio has it on it's schedule for December 2004.
- Hulk 2 is in development for an 06 release. Arad reported that 6.5 million DVDs shipped for the release, and 3.5 sold within seven days.
- Namor is in active development.
- Arad said that X-Men 3 is in development, but neither Marvel or Fox is willing to tentetively put it on the schedule yet, for either 05 or 06 release.
- Arad reported that Captain America is in discussion with top writers and directors, now that litigation surrounding the character has been resolved.
- Arad said that the production budget for Punisher was in the upper $30s, while the marketing budget will most likely be in the mid $20s (millions).
-Finally, Arad said that he should be able to release more information about upcoming Marvel film projects closer to the November 18th analysts' call.

[...]

Other notes from the conference call:

- Spider-Man 2 is already seeing more licensee activity that the first film.
- Marvel is already talking to, and negotiating with licensees for Fantastic Four.

[...]

-Man-Thing was named as the intial fruit of the company's strategic review - a low-budget film with Marvel creative support which may be the model for many Marvel properties in the future. Marvel acknowledged that the film will have very limited licensing, but it could spawn sequels.
-Final monies due in from Spider-Man are related to television and cable rights for the film. Revenue from those deals is expected in 2004.
-Spider-Man 2 merchandise rollout should begin in early Q1 2004 and will build through to the release of the film.

 

[Dimwhit]

Interesting, so they're doing Hulk 2? I didn't think they would, since it wasn't a mega-blockbuster. I actually saw it this last weekend and thought it was good. I'd be interested in another one.

Some of the others in development sound...well, interesting, if they can pull them off well enough.

 

[drnuncheon]

Man-thing?

Where's hong when you need him?

J

 

[jasamcarl]

Hmmm....I would actually see an Iron Man movie. One of the few comics I was into in the day (early 90s). Anyone know who's online to play Tony Stark? Charlie Sheen immediatly came to mind, though it would be a disaster...

 

[uv23]

I suspect that the initial fascination that has carried superhero movies as far as it has will wear off long before half of those movies are produced.

 

[Silver Moon]

Anyone know who's online to play Tony Stark?

Demi Moore had such good reviews from Charlies Angels II that they've chosen her, renaming the character Toni Stark, and now calling it Iron Person.


Only kidding, my Iron Man collection starts with Tales of Suspense #40, and is complete with the exception of 4 TOS issues that I have in reprint. I actually don't know who I would cast for the part. I'd probably go with a relatively unknown and cast a real big name for the main villain.

 

[Mercule]

My understanding is that Tom Cruise had been ready to do it a few years ago. Dunno if he's still up for it, but I could think of worse actors (better ones, too, but at least with Cruise it'd get a lot of attension).

 

[Ranger REG]

Interesting, so they're doing Hulk 2? I didn't think they would, since it wasn't a mega-blockbuster. I actually saw it this last weekend and thought it was good. I'd be interested in another one.

Well, it doesn't have to be a mega-blockbuster to warrant a sequel. Just as long it does well to pay off the investment.

 

[Umbran]

Well, it doesn't have to be a mega-blockbuster to warrant a sequel. Just as long it does well to pay off the investment.

*nod*. And soon after release, the DVD was in the top 10 in the genre for sales. So there's money to be made there. And who knows, perhaps the sequel will be a better story.

 

[Ranger REG]

Demi Moore had such good reviews from Charlies Angels II that they've chosen her, renaming the character Toni Stark, and now calling it Iron Person.

Only kidding, my Iron Man collection starts with Tales of Suspense #40, and is complete with the exception of 4 TOS issues that I have in reprint. I actually don't know who I would cast for the part. I'd probably go with a relatively unknown and cast a real big name for the main villain.

"Iron Person"? What, is "Iron Maiden" already taken?

As for Tom Cruise, he's age-appropriate but short. Find someone that can stand eye-to-eye (and not eye-to-bust) with his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, will ya?

Of course, Tony Stark does not have to be a Caucasian.