Apparently tired of not being in control of its characters or its revenues, Marvel Comics announced that is will start producing feature films using some of its 5,000 characters instead of farming out the characters to other studios. The company has also reportedly been less than thrilled with some of the screenwriters' protrayal of its characters.
"The idea behind the slate is to gain more control of our future," said Marvel Studios chairman Avi Arad. "Marvel, by licensing films, left on the table sizable amounts of money."
The Manhattan-based company signed a deal for up to 10 of the films over eight years to be distributed by Paramount Pictures, which will only be paid distribution fees rather than keeping the bulk of the profits as studios did with past Marvel movies. And Marvel will not have to share toy or merchandise royalties with studios.
In addition to Captain America, Marvel is planning to produce films featuring the Avengers as well as Nick Fury, an Army hero and spy who has been given an infinitely long life by an elixir.
Helping clear the way, Marvel also announced a settlement with Stan Lee, the company's chairman emeritus and co-creator of characters including Spider-Man and The Hulk, who had sued for a share of past and future film, TV and merchandise profits. The settlement with Lee, who joined Marvel in 1939, cost Marvel a $10-million first-quarter charge.
"Also headed for the big screen are Ant-Man, Black Panther, Killraven, Silver Surfer and Thor, Marvel said. Plus there are original videos planned for Iron Man and Dr. Strange.
Sounds like there will be lots of upcoming projects for screenwriters.
