NEW YORK, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicktoons Network, Nickelodeon's
24-hour animation channel, has joined forces with Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
(NYSE: MVL), to bring iconic heroes Wolverine and Iron Man from the page and
big screen to television in two brand-new animated series, "Iron Man: The
Animated Series" (a co-production with French based Method Films) and
"Wolverine and the X-Men" (a co-production with Toonz Entertainment Pte Ltd.,
Singapore and First Serve International Ltd.). Debuting exclusively on
Nicktoons Network in first quarter 2009, Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man
each feature 26 action-packed, half-hour episodes that follow the respective
heroes through dynamic action, adventure and drama as they face foes both
familiar and new to their fans.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080318/NYTU089 )
"Nicktoons Network is first and foremost about showcasing the most
creative and unique animation there is, and this partnership with Marvel is
another crucial way to super-serve our audiences with something fresh and
new," said Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nicktoons
Network. "The fact that these Marvel characters span books, feature films and
TV speaks to their massive appeal. We hope this deal signals to the
marketplace and our audience, particularly boys, that we are the home for big
hits and exciting, adrenaline-fueled animation."
"Nicktoons has a reputation for delivering some of the highest quality
animation programming to the youth entertainment market, and Marvel is
thrilled to be joining hands with such a dynamic channel," said Eric Rollman,
Executive Vice President, Animation & Television for Marvel Studios. "Marvel
is uniquely positioned to bring two shows with incredible brand momentum and
awareness to this partnership, and we look forward to being in business with
Nicktoons to launch this programming."
Wolverine and the X-Men (26 half-hour eps):
The story begins as an explosive event shatters the lives of the X-Men and
takes away their mentor, Professor X. The beaten heroes, including Beast,
Storm, Cyclops and Nightcrawler, walk away from it all but then they are given
a rare glimpse into the future, where they see a world in utter ruin ... ruled
by giant destructive robots. They discover the world has spiraled out of
control because the X-Men have given up. So now the most legendary of all
X-Men, Wolverine, must take the lead on the ultimate mission -- to prevent the
world's destruction -- while fending off enemies Magneto and The Brotherhood.
Iron Man: The Animated Series (26 half-hour eps):
Tony Stark, heir to a billion-dollar corporation, lives a life of luxury,
free to pursue his chief interests -- seeking extreme thrills, solving
scientific mysteries and creating mind-boggling inventions. But everything
goes horribly wrong when a tragic accident robs Tony of his father and nearly
costs him his own life. Now dependent on his own impressive technology for
survival and dedicated to battling corruption, Tony must reconcile the
pressure of teenage life with the duties of a Super Hero. Inside his
remarkable invention, Tony Stark is geared for high-speed flight, high-tech
battles and high-octane adventure! He is Iron Man.
Iron Man and Wolverine are two of the most popular Super Heroes in the
Marvel universe, with over forty years of story telling between the two
characters. Reflecting this popularity, two new major motion pictures
featuring these characters are being readied for the big screen, Iron Man on
May 2, 2008, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine on May 1, 2009.
Marvel Studios' big screen adaptation of Marvel's legendary Super Hero
Iron Man will launch into theaters on May 2, 2008. Oscar(R)-nominee Robert
Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the story of a billionaire
industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a
devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds
a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious
plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect
the world as Iron Man. The film also stars Oscar(R)-winner Gwyneth Paltrow and
Oscar(R)-nominees Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges and is directed by Jon
Favreau. The movie is being distributed by Paramount Pictures.
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.:
With a library of over 5,000 high-profile characters built over more than
sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the
world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel
utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing (via
Marvel Comics) and toys, with emphasis on feature films, DVD, consumer
products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and
promotions. Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing
array of opportunities around the world. For more information visit
http://www.marvel.com/ .
About Nicktoons Network:
Nicktoons Network is the fastest growing kids' network* and offers a
24-hour schedule featuring programming such as the Nicktoons Network Animation
Festival, Skyland, Kappa Mikey, The Secret Show and Martin Mystery, as well as
a roster of hits that have defined kids' and animation lovers' TV, including
Avatar: The Last Airbender, Invader Zim, Danny Phantom, SpongeBob SquarePants,
The Fairly OddParents and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius.
Nicktoons Network is a part of the MTV Networks expanded suite of channels
available for digital distribution. The new channels include MTV Hits,
MTV Jams, Nicktoons Network and VH1 Mega Hits, expanding and strengthening
MTV Networks' digital offerings to thirteen services.
Nicktoons Network currently reaches 50 million homes via cable, digital
cable and satellite, and can be seen on Cablevision, Charter Communications,
Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner
Cable. Nicktoons, and all related titles and logos are property of Viacom,
Inc.
*Nicktoons Network was the Fastest Growing Kid's Network in the past year
among K6-14, K9-14 and K12-17. Source: Nielsen Media Research, 01/01/07-
12/30/07 vs. 12/26/05-12/31/06. (Live) US AA%
About Method Films:
A multi award-winning animation concept and content creation company,
which produced high end CGI animated series for a number of international
broadcasters such as Nicktoons, BBC, ITV, France 2, France 3, ABC Australia,
etc. Method Films has created, produced, and financed a significant number of
in-house TV series such as Skyland and Mikido, and has also worked on
recreating other strong properties such as Iron Man (a coproduction with
Marvel), Cosmic Quantum Ray (a coproduction with Taffy Entertainment) and the
up coming series Wakfu (a coproduction with Ankama Animations). For
additional information, visit http://www.methodfilms.fr
About Toonz Entertainment Pte Ltd.:
Toonz Entertainment Pte Ltd., Singapore is a global entertainment company
producing, financing, selling and distributing feature films, television
series, DVD products in both live action and animation genre. TEPL has a
marquee clientele, which includes Walt Disney, Warner Bros, MGM, Lions Gate,
Sony Pictures, Hyde Park Entertainment, Marvel and Cartoon Network. Besides
its Hollywood/European associations, it has strong presence across Asian
countries especially in India with its production facility Toonz Animation
India Pvt Ltd and in other countries like China, Korea and Japan. TEPL has
diversified expertise in the areas of gaming, licensing and merchandising,
animation education, and infrastructure development in addition to the live
action productions.
SOURCE Nickelodeon