Str8 to Video Adventures!

Lions Gate to produce eight Marvel direct-to-DVD animated videos
NEW YORK (CP) — Marvel Enterprises Inc. is teaming with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. to burst into the direct-to-DVD video cartoon market.
The comic book giant, whose 4,700-character library features such big names as Spider-Man and X-Men, said Tuesday the new agreement with Lions Gate covers eight original animated projects based on “certain characters within the Marvel universe.”
Financial terms were not disclosed, nor were the titles and characters involved, but production will begin immediately and the first DVD is to be released late next year.
Lions Gate, headquartered in North Vancouver, B.C., previously won licenses to develop theatrical motion pictures based on the Marvel characters Iron Fist and Black Widow, and it and Marvel plan a sequel to the recently released The Punisher.
“The Marvel universe maintains an outstanding and loyal fan base that craves fresh material featuring Marvel’s superheroes,” stated Jon Feltheimer, chief executive officer of Lions Gate (TSX:LGF).
“We’re confident that we can take Marvel’s extensive library of popular characters with compelling storylines and create action-packed, appealing animated made-for-DVD movies.”
Lions Gate will pay licensing fees for character rights and fund all of the development, production, distribution and marketing, the companies said. Marvel will “spearhead creative development and production.”