By Steven Zeitchik
1 hour, 28 minutes ago
Entertainment
One big variable is who does the distribution. When its
financing deal was announced in summer 2005, Marvel said the
deal "guarantees distribution for 10 films" through Paramount.
But that guarantee means the Melrose Avenue studio must
distribute movies Marvel brings to it. For Marvel, the pact is
simply a two-picture deal, with "Iron Man" the first and Marvel
obligated only to distribute its next movie through Paramount.
(Universal's "The Incredible Hulk" is exempt.)
An additional provision requires that movies based on
"Captain America" and "Nick Fury" go through Paramount should
they be made, with either film also counting toward the
two-picture deal. Sequels of Paramount-distributed movies also
will remain with the studio.
As a result, Marvel properties including "The Avengers,"
"Thor" and "Ant Man" could conceivably end up with other
distributors.
Three years ago, the company wanted to stress the Paramount
deal to show it had a pipeline; now, with "Iron Man" tracking
well, Marvel aims to show Wall Street that the fledgling studio
has flexibility.
Marvel also needs to convince investors it can deliver a
steady stream of product. Despite a deep reservoir of
characters, it plans on releasing only two titles per year.
"There's a lot riding on 'Iron Man' for Marvel because they
don't have a lot of movies," director Jon Favreau said.
Marvel likely won't be releasing any movies in 2009, as the
studio would have to be in pre-production now to make a summer
date but isn't, mainly because of fears that Hollywood's actors
will go out on strike in the summer.
"We're not going to risk our characters by rushing them,"
Marvel president of production Kevin Feige said. When asked
about the timing of an 'Iron Man" sequel, he added that "two or
three years is the proper time between movies." Favreau added,
"I'd do number two in a heartbeat."
The studio's next project is expected to be announced on an
earnings call Monday, with "Avengers," "Ant Man" and "Thor" the
favorites. ("Captain America" is a prime property but is
perceived as a tough sale overseas.)
Some question whether the Marvel characters waiting in the
wings have the appeal of previously licensed characters like
"Spider-Man" and "The X-Men." But Marvel president David Maisel
said the key ingredient to make a film successful isn't "more
well-known or less well-known characters but tender-loving
care."
The earnings call will prove an unusually direct referendum
on Marvel. Most film studios get buried on a conglomerate
balance sheet. But since the publisher-turned-studio will see
much of its growth from movies, weekend grosses likely will
make its stock price soar or fall, kind of like, well, a
superhero.
Marvel's shares rose 86 cents, or 3%, to $29.55 on the New
York Stock Exchange on Thursday, near its 52-week high of
$30.27.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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