Marvel Studios has just landed a potentially large financial windfall by preselling the future cable rights for Iron Man, Incredible Hulk and to-be-announced titles to the FX network, reports Variety. The article mentions 3 to be named projects also included in the deal and once again confirms that director Edgar Wright is in charge of adapting Ant-Man into a theatrical film.
"This is a watershed deal for the company," said David Maisel, chairman of Marvel Studios. "It's a real vote of confidence" in the ratings potential of Marvel superheroes, he added, particularly since not one of the five movies has landed in theaters yet.
Paramount will open Iron Man on May 2, while Universal releases The Incredible Hulk on June 13. Although Paramount and Universal are not involved in the basic-cable sale, they still retain the pay TV rights. Showtime has Iron Man and HBO gets The Incredible Hulk through the networks' output deals with Paramount and Universal, respectively.
As with most of the basic-cable pre-buys, the net agrees to pony up a license fee that hovers at around 11% of the domestic gross, a figure that cuts off at $200 million. If all five movies end up as $200 million-plus blockbusters -- a very big if, of course -- FX would pay the maximum $22 million apiece for a grand total of $110 million.
As part of the deal with Marvel, FX will schedule a marathon of superhero movies on the premiere dates of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, allowing Marvel to use the commercial breaks to promote the two theatrical releases.
FX also will allow Marvel to carve out a window in the network's four-year license term to sell a run or two of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk to a broadcast network.
Agreed.
I liked how the trade set up a possible venture for a specific Superhero network from Marvel Studios. Obviously, they're just talking about doing full 24 hour marathons with superhero movies on the FX network in the near future..
But if this proves successful...as in highly profitable, I can definitely see Marvel Studios getting into television specifically to bring together a niche satelite channel sometime in the near future.
Maybe its me, but I just don`t get why they are putting together an Ant-Man movie. Yes, I know they want an eventual Avengers movie and by fleshing out each character in their own flick, they`ll create a good sized audience for the main Avengers flick, but why Ant-Man now. Why not Capt America?
It will be all fox properties i.e. DAREDEVIL(hopefully the much improved director's cut, ELEKTRA, XLAX TRILOGY and Spastastic Four. Maybe some SPIDERPIG flicks.
SHOW THE ENTIRE Iron Man Force Works series from 1994 and 95.
Why don't they put THE SILVER SURFER SERIES on DVD?
pony, why not Ant Man. I think this character has endless potential for an action packed film. Plus he's a founding member of the Avengers. I think the best way to go would be to introduce Cap in the Avengers' movie.
Jarrod,
I love your thinking. If Marvel were to launch their own network and have the rights to all their movies, series (Hulk and Spidey from the 70s) and all their cartoons from the real old ones where there basically showing comic panels to the latest incarnation of FF4 and their animated films. However, Im don't see that happening mainly because of the cost, Marvel doesn't have pockets like the WB which owns CN and Boomerang. But a "Marvel Block" on FX on a daily or weekly basis would be almost as sweet and probably more cost feasible.
I don't there is enough quality live-action Marvel material for a 24-hour network. Maybe if you add in animation and DC properties. Even then, you're pushing it.
I don't think it will be a problem for Iron Man to reach $200M B.O., given what we've seen so far. I'll withhold judgment on The Incredible Hulk until we see more material.
Yeah, i guess you guys are right, except I do think that Cap deserves his own flick instead of just being introduced in an Avenger movie. The thing I worry about when it comes to and Ant-Man movie is what kind of script will be written for it, because if not done right, it could come off extremely lame and way too comedic. FF was a decent popcorn movie, but I`m hoping for more of a serious movie with Ant-Man. As serious as you can get with movie about a guy named "Ant-Man" that is.
LOGIN
REGISTER
RSS
HOME
