Tagged: Marvel Studios

Marvel names Axel Alonso Editor-in-Chief

Marvel names Axel Alonso Editor-in-Chief

Via press release:

Marvel Worldwide, Inc announced today that it has promoted Axel
Alonso to Editor-in-Chief, Marvel Entertainment. In this new role, Mr.
Alonso will report to Dan Buckley Publisher & President, Print,
Animation & Digital Divisions, Marvel Worldwide Inc. Mr. Alonso will
oversee all day to day aspects of Marvel’s Publishing division,
including advising on the editorial creative direction, developing new
storylines and brainstorming new initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Alonso
will work on creative aspects of development of larger corporate
initiatives involving Marvel’s popular library of characters. The
announcement was made today by Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer of
Marvel Entertainment.

Mr. Quesada stated, “It’s with
tremendous pride that I announce Axel Alonso’s promotion to
Editor-In-Chief. For over a decade, Axel’s been instrumental in bringing
fresh new voices to Marvel and reinventing our biggest characters like
Spider-Man, the X-Men, Wolverine and so many more. He’s fought to create
unique imprints like Marvel MAX while also bringing fresh new voices to
the Marvel family.”

Working in comics for over 15
years, Mr. Alonso began working at Marvel in 2000 as a Senior Editor and
was promoted to Vice President, Executive Editor in 2010. Overseeing
acclaimed runs of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and X-MEN, in addition to
shepherding groundbreaking projects such as X-STATIX and RAWHIDE KID,
Mr. Alonso developed a reputation for bringing readers the unexpected
and the electrifying. He also oversaw cross-promotional projects such as
the creative collaboration between Marvel Entertainment and ESPN The
Magazine on their recent NBA Preview issue, which drew attention across
the world from mainstream media for it’s innovation.

“Marvel has a great history of the most dynamic and memorable EiCs in
comics history and I’m honored to step into this role,” said Axel
Alonso. “I’ve been blessed to work with some of the most creative men
and women in the world, bringing to life some of the most compelling
stories you’ll find in any medium. This new role provides me with
exciting challenges and prospects I’ve never encountered before, but I
know one thing—Marvel’s getting even bigger in 2011.”

“Most of you know Axel from his high profile job as Vice President,
Executive Editor and the man behind some of our very best and edgiest
books,” added Joe Quesada. “Time and time again, Axel has proven that he
is one of the very best story editors in the history of our medium and
one of the finest people I know. And, like everyone here at Marvel, he
has one single focus, bringing you the best stories with the best
characters in all of comicdom. That’s why I have no doubt that Axel
will bring Marvel Comics to greater heights than it’s ever known!”

As part of this strategic initiative, Joe Quesada will focus on his
duties as Chief Creative Officer, overseeing Marvel’s creative endeavors
in film, television, publishing, digital and more. In his ten-year
tenure as Editor-In-Chief, Mr. Quesada was instrumental in Marvel’s rise
to prominence as a global entertainment juggernaut and the increased
profile of the comic book medium. Mr. Quesada brings his expertise and
experience to further strengthen the Marvel brand as a leader in
worldwide entertainment.

#SDCC: Marvel Studios: ‘Thor’ & ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ complete panel for viewing

#SDCC: Marvel Studios: ‘Thor’ & ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ complete panel for viewing

Just to prove that it can be done like we said it could be, we figured we’d do what the convention hasn’t and make video of some of the heavily attended panels available to you for viewing.

First on our list, Marvel’s Kevin Feige, Kenneth Branagh, Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, give you an
inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe– and you’ll see the first video of the Avengers assembled, as they’re joined by Joe Johnston, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johannsen, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, and Joss Whedon. Enjoy.

Marvel Ups Joe Quesada to Chief Creative Officer

Marvel Ups Joe Quesada to Chief Creative Officer

ComicMix congratulates Joe Quesada on his justly deserved promotion, recognizing the strides he has made in salvaging Marvel as a creative entity in the years since the company emerged from bankruptcy.

Here’s the official release:

New York, NY – June 2, 2010 – Marvel Entertainment, LLC announced today that it has promoted Joe Quesada to Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment.  In this new role, Mr. Quesada will work alongside Alan Fine, Executive Vice President, Office of the President and Chairman of Marvel Studios’ Creative Committee, to ensure that all portrayals of Marvel’s characters and storytelling remain true to the essence of Marvel’s rich history. Additionally, Mr. Quesada will provide creative oversight of all areas of Marvel’s business including theatrical, television, publishing, animation and games, while also actively participating in all story and script development for Marvel’s films and animation. Prior to this promotion, Mr. Quesada held the role of Chief Creative Officer & Editor-In-Chief, Marvel Animation & Publishing and oversaw the creative aspects of Marvel Comics and Marvel Animation. The announcement was made today by Mr. Fine, to whom Mr. Quesada will report.

Mr. Fine stated, “I am excited to have Joe join me as Marvel Entertainment enters the next chapter in our history. Joe has already played an instrumental role as Editor-in-Chief in changing the face of the comic book industry with bold new ventures and an unprecedented penetration of the mainstream consciousness. His love and passion for Marvel, along with his experience guiding publishing for the last decade, will be invaluable as we bring our characters to life in new media.”

“I am honored to take this new position at Marvel Entertainment and work with Alan to bring the rich history of Marvel to a brand new audience” said Mr. Quesada.  “Together with the incredible talent here at Marvel, in all our divisions, I look forward to making Marvel an even bigger part of the entertainment industry and showing why we’ve been an industry leader for over 70 years.”

Mr. Quesada will also continue to serve as Editor-In-Chief, Marvel Publishing, where over the past decade he has helped usher in bold new imprints such as Marvel Knights, the Ultimate Universe and Marvel MAX. During his tenure, Marvel received acclaim for its Heroes special to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001; the groundbreaking Death of Captain America storyline; and President Obama’s historic team up with Spider-Man. Mr. Quesada is also one of the industry’s most popular artists, providing cover and interior art to blockbusters such as Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Invincible Iron Man and more.

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Luke Cage Being Eyed for the Silver Screen

Luke Cage Being Eyed for the Silver Screen

Geoff Boucher at the Los Angeles Times reports that Luke Cage is likely to be one of the first next level Marvel heroes to get the film treatment. Marvel Studios announced a few weeks ago that the time had come to look at the smaller characters for lower budgeted films but no formal announcements had been made.

Marvel continues to develop Ant Man with director Edgar Wright, which may also fall into this category and Stan Lee mentioned Doctor Strange as a strong candidate to perform film magic sooner than later.

Cage was first introduced in 1972 in Hero for Hire, from writer Archie Goodwin and artists George Tuska and Billy Graham. He’s been a fixture ever since and in the last few years has gained prominence under the pen of Brian Michael Bendis who featured him first in Alias then the New Avengers. As part of the Heroic Age refresh of the Marvel Universe, he takes center stage in Thunderbolts beginning with issue #144 with writer Jeff Parker and artist Kev Walker, on sale May 26.

“Speaking of Luke Cage, a.k.a. Power Man, I hear that there’s more talk underway about putting the urban hero into his own film and that a notable Hollywood star is now having (very) preliminary talks with Marvel Studios about the property and its potential,” Boucher wrote.

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‘Marvel VS Capcom 3’ A Reality

‘Marvel VS Capcom 3’ A Reality

At Capcom’s CAPTIVATE media event in Hawaii last week, they announced what some fighting game and comic book fans have been dreaming of for the past decade: A return to the most successful 2D fighting franchise of all time.  Featuring fighters from Marvel comic in battle against the popular characters from video games published by Capcom, what started as “Street Fighter VS X-men” has gone on to be one of the largest and innovative fighting game franchises ever.  Now, after 10 long years of waiting, we finally get our wish.

Check out the press release after you whet your appetite on the trailer.

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Captain America Gains his Peggy Carter

Captain America Gains his Peggy Carter

After being turned down by Emily Blunt and possibly others, Marvel Studios issued a release announcing relatively unknown actress Hayley Atwell has been added to the Captain America cast as Peggy Carter.

Atwell is known to some from her work in A&E’s disappointing remake of The Prisoner, but she has also been seen in The Duchess and Brideshead Revisited.

Peggy Carter was introduced as the Star-Spangled Avenger’s love interest when he debuted in Tales of Suspense #64  (April 1965) and was the original spy known as Agent 13. She was later reported to have suffered dementia and was confined to LarkMoore Clinic. Her niece, Sharon Carter, also dubbed Agent 13, is Cap’s enduring romance partner since Tales of Suspense #75 (March 1966).

Here’s the formal release:
 
Marvel Studios announced today that Hayley Atwell has been cast to star as Peggy Carter in the studio’s highly anticipated movie CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER opposite Chris Evans.  In the early comics, Peggy Carter fell in love with Captain America while they fought together in the war effort.  The character will be updated for the feature adaptation.  Joe Johnston will direct the film penned by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER.  Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Louis D’Esposito will executive produce.  The film will be released in the US on July 22, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
Atwell will next be seen in PILLARS OF THE EARTH, the 8-part miniseries premiering July 23 on Starz and the TV series THE PRISONER.  Her film credits include THE DUCHESS, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED and CASSANDRA’S DREAM.

In addition to CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including the highly anticipated sequel, IRON MAN 2, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow on May 7, 2010, THOR on May 6, 2011, and Marvel Studios’ THE AVENGERS on May 4, 2012.

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Joss Whedon to direct the ‘Avengers’ movie?

Joss Whedon to direct the ‘Avengers’ movie?

That’s what Entertainment Weekly is hinting at.

As usual, I’ll believe it when I see much more confirmation, as I’m still old enough to remember when Joss was supposed to direct Wonder Woman.

On the other hand, I’m sure he’d pass muster with Marvel’s crew pretty quickly, and Joss is known for doing well with keeping things under budget, which is always important, particularly with Marvel Studios known tendencies towards penny pinching.

Disney Eats Marvel – Update 1

Disney Eats Marvel – Update 1

One minute after today’s Wall Street opening, Marvel Entertainment’s stocks jumped 25%, to over $48 a share. 

Disney will be allowing Marvel to continue to operate under its own name.

Disney To Buy Marvel

Disney To Buy Marvel

Disney Entertainment, owner of damn near everything in the entertainment world, is planning on purchasing Marvel Entertainment. The purchase price is purportedly $4,000,000,000. That’s four billion, for the zero challenged.

No word on what will happen to the current crew of Marvel employees, but as of this writing the House of Idea is not expected to move to the west coast.

More as this story develops.

Marvel’s Second Quarter Fizzles

Marvel’s Second Quarter Fizzles

Marvel’s second quarter earnings reports are in, and while they beat expectations, it wasn’t by much. They made (almost) exactly the same amount in the first quarter as they did in the second, which is not really a good thing for a business to do.

Publishers Weekly summarized the reports thusly:

Publishing revenue at Marvel Entertainment was flat in the second
quarter, slipping from $31.8 million to $31.7 million. Operating income
fell more noticeably, dropping 6.8%, to $10.9 million. A lower level of
high-margin advertising and custom publishing sales was cited as the
reason for the decline in earnings. For the first six months of 2009,
sales in the publishing segment fell 1.4%, to $57.5 million, and
operating income declined 17.1%, to $17.9 million. The company said it
expects the publishing segment to finish 2009 with revenue between $115
million and $120 million; in 2008 sales were $125.4 million.

DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com’s Nikki Finke has more detail:

The company said it benefited from growth at its film production segment, primarily in initial revenue for Iron Man DVD
sales and domestic pay TV window. But Marvel’s profit fell 38% after a
decline in licensing sales for toys and character-related products
following its Iron Man and Incredible Hulk bonanzas.
Marvel’s 2nd-quarter revenue fell 26%, and net income fell. But Marvel
also raised the low end of its full-year profit and sales forecasts
with Iron Man 2
coming out in 2010.

Heidi MacDonald over at The Beat says it’s a sign of a slower Q2 for comics all around. What do you think?