Got this off Superherohype. I just went ahead and posted the whole thing, 'cuz it has some cool tidbits about Marvel movies, as well as clearing up a couple of big rumours about Artisan:

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.
- Marvel will be working to expand its worldwide licensing business, and as such, will be opening offices in Europe and Japan to further licensee relationships internationally. The offices should be opening within the next 60 days.
-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.

Did they discuss my idea for a 2the9s action figure?

As a long-time Marvel devotee (well, at least until the early '90s), some of this makes me nervous...

OK, Marvel's been in the movie biz for YEARS. Does anyone remember the TV movies of "Captain America" from the late '70s and the direct-to-video 1990 film starring Matt Salinger (yes, he's JD Salinger's son)?

What about the version of "The Punisher" starring Dolph Lundgren and Louis Gossett, Jr?

What about "The Fantastic Four" movie that was so bad it never even got released, and damn near bankrupted Roger Corman? Although it DID star the sadly-neglected actor Jay Underwood ("The Boy Who Could Fly") as Johnny Storm...

Marvel's kinda pissing me off with some of their movies. I LOVED the "X-Men" movies and even "Daredevil" was OK...but I left the room after 30 minutes into that stupid "Hulk" movie.

Plus, they are giving Stan Lee a MAJOR hard-time simply because he wants some profit-sharing rather than the flat fee for the character rights. Hollywood did the same thing to Winston Groom after his "Forrest Gump" novel was turned into the top-grossing movie of all time. Groom got a $500,000 fee...and that's it.

AND...I dunno about you, but doesn't that "Punisher" movie look a lil' hokey? Frank Castle may be one of the most psychologically-complex characters in the Marvel Universe and something tells me the film won't do his character justice.

And if they DO make the "Preacher" movie (I know it's not Marvel but still...), I'm REALLY gonna be pissed. There's NO WAY to make a 2-hour movie about the series. NO-FRICKING-WAY.

Whew...I need to chill.
[This message was edited Mon Jan 5 15:55:43 PST 2004 by DudeDrops]

I loved the entire Marvel Universe growing up, but I'm only excited about the X franchise. Maybe I'm ust getting old.

I didn't mind The Hulk...

It wasn't a good superhero movie and The Hulk looked like a moldy Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man, but I dug the father/son psychodrama and I thought Jennifer Connelly was good with what she was given.

I'm a little scurred to see what they do with the FF...they were a favorite of mine since I knew how to read, and the thought of a CGI Ben Grimm is just...ugh, depressing...

DudeDrops said:

Yes, I remember the Cap, FF and Punisher flicks of the early 90s. That hardly means that these new flicks are going to be the same. Was Spider-Man anything like the old, cheesy TV show? No. Avi Arad is in charge of Marvel Studios now, and he's worked wonders. So far, The Hulk has been the only marvel flick that hasn't really lived up to the hype. Spider-Man was one of the best comic adaptations ever, Blade did things in cinema a full year before The Matrix came out that that film got credit for, and X-Men and X2 simply rocked!

As for the new Punisher flick, I do think it will be great, for several reasons. First off, they are using many of the characters and storylines established in Garth Ennis's fantastic "Welcome Back Frank" arc (Spacker Dave! The Russian! Joan The Mouse!). Second, I've read a whole lot of interviews with Thomas Jane, and the guy gets Frank (a little too well. He kinda scares me when I read how much he identifies with him). Jane also went through extensive training for the role (including a stint with Navy Seals), so he has the dedication. I think this flick is going to be a sleeper hit.

I do agree that Marvel should give a bigger slice of the pie to Stan, but he should in turn split it with his co-creators, Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby (I Know Kirby's dead, but his offspring should get something from the man's legacy).

As for the Preacher movie, I couldn't agree more. It just can't work as a film. Ridiculous to even try. Even more than that, I want to see Hollywood keep its grubby paws off of Sandman!!! Grrr...

i wanna see "captain america" it was brought out in the 80's, but there never released it on video, so maybe a newer version would be good, with sylvester stallone a the captain! wot u all think???

or marvel vs DC, DC made aload of comics, and they made a comic about this all the marvel characters vs the DC characters, now tht would be good ???

andykeen said:

Actually, it did get a limited video release. It was awful!!!

I like the idea of a new Captain America movie, but I don't think I'd wanna see Sly. I would prefer someone younger, who could actually act.

andykeen said:

I'd love to see Superman Vs. The Hulk, but I think the legal rights would make this impossible. Still, cool idea.

JediMaster said:

oi he can act, other he wouldn;t of got all this world wide fame, tht he has! (ps. watch out fr the new ROCKY)

anyway, u sure it got released? cause i went to HMV, and the bloke said, tht they never managed to release it!! only a small amount!! or was tht him, making up bullshit cause they didn't have it in stock?


also, i would like to see a new HE-MAN, the old virsion, was great, when it first came out, but now u cant watch it with ut laughing at the "special" effects, sylvester would be another good HE-MAN, wot u think?

andykeen said:

Well, I do know that the Captain America did get a limited release on VHS in the states. Maybe it didn't over there, I'm not sure. I just know that I rented it from a video store back in about 1992. It was atrocious! Absolutely awful!!!

As for Masters Of The Universe the original was such a hoot with Frank Langella as Skeletor! Still, an update seems likely with the re-surgence of all things He-Man. Again, I can't really go with Sly, since I'm not a fan. I've only ever liked three of his movies (The original Rocky, First Blood and Copland) Everything else he's been in I've hated. Sorry.



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[This message was edited Tue Jan 6 11:37:45 PST 2004 by JediMaster]