Marvel_Productions

Marvel Productions

Marvel Productions

Television and film studio

Marvel Productions, later known as New World Animation Ltd., was an American production company owned by the Fox Entertainment Group subsidiary of News Corporation which was founded in 1981 as the television and film studio subsidiary of the Marvel Entertainment Group, based in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.[1] It later became a subsidiary of New World Entertainment and eventually of News Corporation.

Quick Facts Formerly, Industry ...

The company as Marvel Productions produced animated television series, films and television specials such as Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, The Incredible Hulk, My Little Pony: The Movie, The Transformers: The Movie, and G.I. Joe: The Movie as well as The Transformers and G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero television series. Most of Marvel Productions/New World Animation's non-Hasbro-related back catalog is currently owned by The Walt Disney Company.

History

DePatie–Freleng Enterprises (1963–1981)

The company began in 1963 as DFE Films, and was sold to Cadence Industries, Marvel Comics Group's owner, in 1981 after DFE founder and company executive Friz Freleng departed the company to return to his former job at Warner Bros. Cartoons.[2][3] Freleng's business partner and DFE co-founder David H. DePatie continued to work for the company under the Marvel banner for several years until his retirement.[4]

Marvel Productions (1981–1993)

Logo for Marvel Productions, New World's former name.

Marvel Productions opened its Los Angeles studio in 1981.[3] In 1984, Margaret Loesch joined Marvel Productions as president and chief executive officer.[5] Marvel Comics Group, owned by Cadence Industries Corporation since 1968, was sold to New World Pictures in 1986 along with Marvel Productions and incorporated as Marvel Entertainment Group.[6]

With New World having cash flow problems, MEG was sold in January 1989 to Andrews Group, a MacAndrews and Forbes subsidiary, owned by Ronald Perelman. However, New World kept Marvel Productions and merged it with its own television business.[6] MP moved their offices from Van Nuys to West Los Angeles in May 1989.[1]

New World's problems continued, which led them to also be acquired by the Andrews Group within the year.[7] Loesch left for Fox Kids in 1990.[8] In December 1992, New World formed New World Family Filmworks and New World Action Animation, headed by Marvel Productions president Rick Ungar, to produce $20 million worth of family entertainment programming.[9][10]

New World Animation (1993–1996)

Marvel Productions was renamed New World Animation in November 1993.[11] In 1994, Marvel and New World established Marvel Films including Marvel Films Animation.[6][12][13][14] New World Animation (The Incredible Hulk), Saban Entertainment (X-Men), and Marvel Films Animation (Spider-Man), each produced a Marvel series for television.[15] Tom Tataranowicz was in charge of both Marvel Films Animation and New World Animation during this period.[16]

News Corporation subsidiary (1996)

News Corporation/Fox Entertainment Group acquired New World Entertainment, along with New World Animation and Marvel Films Animation for $2.5 billion in August 1996.[17] At the same time, Saban Entertainment secured the rights from Marvel Entertainment Group for Captain America, Daredevil, and Silver Surfer, and additional characters to be developed into four series and 52 episodes over the next seven years.[18]

Fox Children's Productions and Saban Entertainment merged to form Fox Kids Worldwide, a holding company and joint venture, in November 1996,[19] while Fox retained ownership of New World Animation.[20]

Postscript

Fox Family Worldwide and its assets, including the Marvel Productions library and Saban Entertainment, were purchased by The Walt Disney Company for $5.2 billion in July 2001.[21][22][23]

After getting its 2002 profit participation statements for the Marvel Productions library, Marvel Enterprises sued The Walt Disney Company over royalties in August 2004 after Disney would not open their books. This was followed by a November 2004 suit which claimed that the purchase of Fox Family did not transfer the shows' copyrights to Disney as the purchase was done without Marvel's approval. As part of both suits, Marvel claimed library income concealment and failure to exploit the characters.[21]

On August 31, 2009, Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion, reunifying the Marvel Productions library and Marvel Entertainment under the same corporate banner.[24] After Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox on March 20, 2019, the Marvel Productions and Fox Kids/Saban Entertainment libraries reunited with the New World Animation library.

Filmography

Animated series

More information Show, Year ...

TV specials

More information Airdate, Title ...

Except for Fraggle Rock, the rights to series based on Jim Henson properties are now held by The Muppets Studio, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.[42][43]

All programs based on Hasbro properties were co-productions with Sunbow Productions. These programs are now owned by Hasbro through its entertainment unit.

Theatrical and DTV films

More information Airdate, Title ...

Film titles

TV pilots

More information Title, Original broadcast ...

Executives

  • David H. DePatie – president and chief executive officer (1980–1984)[4]
  • Margaret Loesch – president and chief executive officer (1984–1990)[8]
  • Rick Ungar – president and chief executive officer (1991–August 1995)[44]
  • Lee Gunther – senior vice president, production (1986)[45]
  • Stan Lee – vice president, creative affairs (1986)[45]
  • Michael Wahl – vice president, business affairs (1986)[45]
  • Peter Knepper – vice president and chief financial officer (1986)[45]
  • Hank Sarovan – vice president (1986)[45]

Notes

    References

    1. [1]
      "Marvel Productions Plans Move to West Los Angeles". Los Angeles Times. May 2, 1989. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
    2. [2]
      Mangel, Andy (May 1991). "Reel Marvel". In Jim Salicrup (ed.). Marvel Age Issue 100. Marvel Comics. Retrieved October 25, 2011 – via AndyMangels.com.
    3. [3]
      Gilroy, Dan (September 17, 1986). "Marvel Grows Into $100-Million Hulk". Variety. p. 92. Archived from the original (jpeg) on July 20, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
    4. [4]
      "DePatie, David H." ASIFA-Hollywood Cartoon Hall Of Fame. The International Animated Film Society: ASIFA-Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
    5. [5]
      Godfrey, Leigh (October 10, 2001). "Loesch Steps Down From Crown". Animation World Network. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
    6. [6]
      Hicks, Jonathan P. (November 8, 1988). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Marvel Comic Book Unit Being Sold for $82.5 Million". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
    7. [7]
      "History of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc". FundingUniverse. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
    8. [8]
      "Margaret Loesch Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Yahoo!. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
    9. [9]
      "New World forms two new kidvid banners". Variety. December 8, 1992. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
    10. [10]
      Times Staff (December 9, 1992). "New World Expands TV Program Activities". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
    11. [11]
      Freeman, Mike (November 1, 1993). "New world of animation: former Marvel Entertainment chief Rick Ungar will head new division concentrating on original animated series, including upcoming 'Stealth Warriors.'". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
    12. [12]
      "MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT AND AVI ARAD TO DEVELOP MEDIA PROJECTS" (Press release). Marvel Entertainment Group. PR Newswire. April 21, 1993. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
    13. [13]
      "John Semper on "Spider-Man": 10th Anniversary Interview". Marvel Animation Age. Toonzone. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
    14. [14]
      Cawley, John. "Marvel Films Animation 1993–1997". Home of John Cawley. Cataroo. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
    15. [15]
      Goldman, Michael. "Stan Lee: Comic Guru". Animation World Magazine. Animation World Network. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
    16. [16]
      Materna, Marisa (February 24, 2005). "Gang of Seven Goes Employee-Owned Route". Animation World Network. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
    17. [17]
      "August Issue News Section – Time Warner-Turner Merger Approved and Fox to Take Over New World". Animation World Magazine. August 1996. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
    18. [18]
      "August Issue News Section – Marvel Super Heroics To Continue On Fox Kids Network". Animation World Magazine. August 1996. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
    19. [19]
      Hillier, Barry (November 1, 1996). "Fox Kids Worldwide is born". Kidscreen. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
    20. [20]
      "10-K Annual Report for the Period Ending 06/30/14" (PDF). shareholder.com. 21st Century Fox. August 14, 2014. p. 181. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
    21. [21]
      "Disney Is Sued Over Copyrights". Los Angeles Times. Reuters. November 2, 2004. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    22. [22]
      Hofmeister, Sallie (July 21, 2001). "Walt Disney to Acquire Fox Family". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
    23. [23]
      DiOrio, Carl (October 24, 2001). "Fox Family costs Mouse less cheese in final deal". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
    24. [24]
      Wilkerson, David B. (August 31, 2009). "Disney to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4B". MarketWatch. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
    25. [25]
      Fickett, Travis; Goldman, Eric; Iverson, Dan; Zoromski, Brian (May 3, 2007). "Spider-Man on TV". IGN. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
    26. [26]
      "Top 100 Animated Series. 59. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends". IGN. Ziff Davis. p. 59. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
    27. [27]
      "The Incredible Hulk (1982)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
    28. [28]
      Leszczak, Bob (2016). Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide. McFarland & Company. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-4766-2384-9. Retrieved October 24, 2017 – via Google Books.
    29. [29]
      "Dungeons & Dragons". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
    30. [30]
      Gelman, Morrie (September 17, 1986). "Sunbow Takes To Marvel Like Duck To Water In Animation". Variety. p. 81. Archived from the original (jpeg) on February 14, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
    31. [31]
      Solomon, Charles (May 11, 1988). "Animation Industry Finding Cost Of Laughter Is In Serious Trouble". Orlando Sentinel. Entertainment News Service. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
    32. [32]
      Imbesi, Pete (May 5, 2017). "15 CLASSIC Cartoons Marvel SECRETLY Produced". Comic Book Rescoures. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
    33. [33]
      Swenson, John (December 22, 1987). "Cartoon Character Puts Singer Into Spotlight". Sun Sentinel. United Press International. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    34. [34]
      Webber, Tim (December 10, 2016). "15 Cartoon Superheroes Who Jumped To Comic Books". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    35. [35]
      Reddish, David (September 1, 2016). "15 Animated Superhero TV Shows You Completely Forgot About". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    36. [36]
      Yoshihara, Nancy (November 2, 1987). "'Little Clowns' Find Happytown Outside Japan : Korea, Brazil Among Countries Drawing Animation Work as Yen Grows Stronger". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
    37. [37]
      Lenburg, Jeff (2006). Who's who in Animated Cartoons: An International Guide to Film & Television's Award-winning and Legendary Animators. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 359. ISBN 978-1-55783-671-7. Retrieved February 15, 2018 – via Internet Archive. Little Clowns of Happytown 1987 ABC.
    38. [38]
      "A Bedrock of U.S. Cartoon Production: TV: The Philippines' low costs and understanding of American culture are luring studios big and small". Los Angeles Times. Manila. Associated Press. August 28, 1995. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
    39. [39]
      Anderson, Jack (January 11, 1985). "Young Astronaut Program Is Taking Off". The Tuscaloosa News. No. 111. p. 4. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
    40. [40]
      Carter, Robert L. (August 1, 1990). "Marvel Entertainment Group v. Young Astronaut Council". Leagle.com. Leagle, Inc. Retrieved August 7, 2016. Because of this, the show was postponed by CBS from the fall projected airing, although it was not cancelled. Eventually, YAC restrained the consultant and gave Marvel the freedom to go ahead with CBS' plans, and there was a meeting with CBS, Marvel and YAC in January, 1986, to discuss the show. The day after this meeting the space shuttle exploded and CBS notified the parties that the show was being cancelled.
    41. [41]
      Freeman, Mike. New world of animation: former Marvel Entertainment chief Rick Ungar will head new division concentrating on original animated series, including upcoming 'Stealth Warriors.' Archived 2014-06-29 at the Wayback Machine November 1, 1993. Broadcasting & Cable.
    42. [42]
      "Disney Newsroom". The Walt Disney Company. February 17, 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-12-07. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
    43. [43]
      Rossen, Jake (2016-02-17). "Her Name Was Skeeter: The Mystery of the Missing Muppet". Mental Floss. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
    44. [44]
      "Rick Ungar, president of New World Animation since 1991". Broadcasting & Cable. August 28, 1995. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
    45. [45]
      Gilroy, Dan (September 17, 1986). "Marvel Now A $100-Million Hulk: Marvel Divisions And Top Execs". Variety. p. 81. Archived from the original (jpeg) on 14 February 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
    Share this article:

    This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Marvel_Productions, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.