Under the terms of the deal, Activision has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and publish interactive games for the next-generation console systems and the PC based on these renowned properties. These brands complement the company’s current slate of Marvel Super Heroes that include Spider-Man®, X-Men® and Blade®. Twentieth Century Fox is currently in development with a theatrical film based on The Fantastic Four and New Line Cinema is developing a motion picture based on Iron Man. Both projects are slated to be released in 2003/2004.
“Activision is thrilled to extend our relationship with Marvel by adding these phenomenally rich characters to our slate of established brands,” said Greg Goldstein, vice president of brand development and licensing for Activision, Inc. “Both of these properties have entertained fans around the world in the form of comic books and other media for more than 35 years. We intend to take full advantage of current videogame hardware technology to bring these iconic super heroes to life as never before.”
Russ Brown, senior vice president, consumer products, promotions & media sales for Marvel added, “After seeing the excitement and success surrounding Activision’s Marvel videogames, it is obvious to me that the people at Activision understand Super Heroes and know what our fans expect. Fantastic Four and Iron Man are two other properties that possess extremely loyal fan bases who have been waiting a long time to be able to share their adventures in the form of videogames.”
For the past 40 years, The Fantastic Four have entertained millions of people around the world as the greatest team of superhuman adventurers ever assembled. Approximately 150 million comic books have been sold in more than 26 countries since their introduction in 1961. Possessing unique powers, the foursome challenge the unknown to benefit humanity. Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) becomes malleable, Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman) turns invisible, Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) generates fiery plasma and Ben Richards (The Thing) is orange-colored, thick-skinned, heavily muscled and superhumanly strong.
First launched in 1963, the Iron Man character has been featured in approximately 120 million comic books in more than 26 countries around the world. After billionaire genius Tony Stark was gravely injured by an act of industrial sabotage, he saved his own life by designing a life-sustaining shell – the hi-tech armor that is the invincible Iron Man. This modern-day knight fights injustice wherever it rears its ugly head.
About Marvel Enterprises, Inc.
With a library of over 4,700 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in five divisions: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, toys (Toy Biz), comic book publishing and Internet/New Media. Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, television, home video and the Internet, based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including video and computer games, apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its comic book division which continues to maintain a leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. For additional information visit the Marvel Web site.
About Activision, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted revenues of $620 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001. Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site.