Lions Gate and Marvel have made The Avengers DVD official with the following announcement this morning:
Marvel Enterprises and Lions Gate’s Family Home Entertainment, a division of Lions Gate Entertainment, have announced that the first title to be released through their recent made-for-DVD agreement will be “The Avengers”(TM). The first installment of the multi-picture home video deal, the animated feature will cast some of Marvel’s most popular Super Heroes including Captain America(TM), The Hulk(TM), Iron Man(TM), and Thor(TM). Production on “The Avengers” home video release — which will be based on the best-selling Marvel Comics series “The Ultimates” — has already commenced. The animated feature will be distributed by Lions Gate Home Entertainment and available in stores in early 2006.
“‘The Avengers’ are a super hero team for the ages which combines many of Marvel’s most popular and enduring characters into one cohesive unit,” said David Maisel, President and COO, Marvel Studios. “They are a natural choice to launch Marvel into the fast growing made-for-DVD marketplace.”
Glenn Ross, President, Lions Gate Family Home Entertainment, added, “Production on this new title marks the next chapter in our ongoing relationship with Marvel. We’re excited to be able to bring high quality animation and compelling stories to a very rich cast of top Marvel characters that will satisfy both the hard core Marvel fan as well as a broader audience that is looking for great action hero entertainment.”
Marvel and Lions Gate plan to develop, produce and distribute eight original animated made-for-DVD features based upon the extensive Marvel character library. Marvel is spearheading development and production with Lions Gate handling marketing and distribution. This agreement builds upon the existing theatrical relationship between Lions Gate and Marvel, under which Lions Gate released “The Punisher”(TM) to theatres earlier this year, starring Thomas Jane, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and John Travolta, and is currently developing theatrical film releases for Marvel’s “Iron Fist”(TM) and “Black Widow”(TM) characters.
Source: Marvel Enterprises, Lions Gate Home Entertainment
