MARVEL ANNOUNCES CAPTAIN AMERICA, THOR, AVENGERS MOVIES; RELEASES Q1 08 NUMBERS

[MattBrady]

Marvel this morning released its First Quarter 2008 numbers this morning, and along with them, news that officially, an Iron Man sequel is slated for 2010 along with Thor, and two “Avenger-themed” movies in summer of 2011: Captain America (May) and The Avengers (July).

Matthew Vaughn was announced as the director last August.

That’s the fan-pleasing news. The rest…something of a mixed bag. From the Associated Press:

Marvel Entertainment Inc., which licenses comic book characters for films and consumer products, said Monday its first-quarter profit dipped 3 percent partly on lower licensing segment sales.

The company, whose characters include Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk, reported earnings slipped to $45.2 million, or 58 cents per share, compared with $46.8 million, or 54 cents per share, in the previous year.

The per share discrepancy is due to more shares outstanding in the prior year.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected a profit of 43 cents per share. Estimates typically exclude one-time items.

For the period ended March 31, revenue declined 26 percent to $112.6 million from $151.4 million, but beat Wall Street's estimate of $111.7 million.

Licensing segment sales, which now include results from its deal with Hasbro, fell on lower revenue from its Spider-Man merchandising joint venture with Sony and a significant drop in Hasbro income, which fell to $8.3 million from $20.8 million, in the same quarter last year.

Publishing revenue edged down 4 percent to $26.5 million, while losses in its film production segment narrowed to $2 million from $3 million a year earlier.

Notable among the reports is that publishing declined – the first time the division has shown a slip compared to its previous year’s numbers in recent memory. The company also announced that it would no longer release its toy division as its own report, but instead, toy segment numbers would now be recorded within the company’s Licensing segment.

From Marvel’s report:

Marvel today updated its feature film slate strategy and plans for the next three years, locking in key release windows for its character franchises. In order to focus its attention on maximizing the success of an Iron Man sequel and the launch of Thor in the summer of 2010 and because Marvel believes that the summer is the optimal time to launch a new property, the Company will not release a self produced film in 2009. Marvel plans to launch its 2010 film slate with the release of the sequel, Iron Man 2, on April 30, 2010, followed by the launch of Thor on June 4, 2010. Additionally, Marvel is planting its feature film stakes for summer 2011 with an Avengers-themed summer – a two-picture project which will debut on May 6, 2011 with The First Avenger: Captain America (working title), followed by The Avengers in July 2011.

Marvel’s Chairman, Morton Handel, commented, “Adjusting for the strong year-ago contribution from the Spider-Man JV, Marvel’s Q1 2008 operating results continued to demonstrate strong global demand for consumer products based on the Company’s portfolio of characters. Marvel’s self-produced feature film slate launched this past weekend with a performance that firmly establishes Iron Man as a major new film franchise, and the Company eagerly awaits the June premiere of The Incredible Hulk, Marvel’s second self-produced film. In addition, Marvel has been investing in other important areas of growth such as the Internet where, to lead the Company’s newly formed Global Digital Media Group, Marvel recently announced the hiring of Ira Rubenstein. Marvel has a strong foundation to build from, and the Company is adding infrastructure to maximize these opportunities.”

By segment:

Licensing:

Net sales for the Spider-Man JV [joint venture] declined to $29.7 million in Q1 2008, versus $56.9 million in Q1 2007. The year-over-year decline in JV net sales was anticipated, as the high level of net sales in Q1 2007 was triggered by “on shelf dates” related to the May 2007 release of Spider-Man III. This decline was offset in part by increases in domestic and international consumer products licensing, as well as from a higher level of license revenue from Marvel Studios related to the Spider-Man, X-Men and Fantastic Four movie properties. Marvel’s Q1 2008 Licensing segment operating income results also reflect settlement payments from two licensees in connection with the termination of their respective interactive license agreements. The settlements totaled $19 million and were recorded as other income. Operating margin in the Licensing segment was 101% in Q1 2008, reflecting the benefit of these settlement payments included in operating income but not included in net sales. The operating margin for the Licensing segment was 83% in Q1 2007.

Publishing:

Marvel’s Publishing Segment net sales declined by $1.0 million or 4% to $26.5 million in Q1 2008 principally due to the timing of major publishing initiatives. Q1 2008 net sales reflected a decline in comic book sales within the direct channel and lower advertising and custom sales, offset in part by continued strong growth in the Mass Market channel. The year-over-year decline in direct channel sales principally reflects strong sales of high profile titles Civil War and The Death of Captain America in the year ago period, versus no comparable specialty titles in Q1 2008. Operating income in the Publishing segment declined by 14% on a year-over-year basis to $9.9 million in Q1 2008 with an operating margin of approximately 37% compared to approximately 42% in the prior-year-period. Based on its planned slate of publishing initiatives, including the release of the Secret Invasion series in late Q2 2008, Marvel expects its Publishing segment to return to traditional margins for the full year 2008.

Film Production:

Marvel’s Film Production segment operating losses were $2.0 million for Q1 2008, compared to $3.0 million in Q1 2007, reflecting overhead costs that were capitalized into Marvel’s self-produced films in Q1 2008. Film Production segment operating costs consist primarily of employee compensation and the expenses associated with Marvel Studios’ office in California.

Other:

Among the items in All Other is Corporate overhead, which was $6.5 million in Q1 2008 and $3.6 million in Q1 2007. The difference in year over year Corporate overhead is principally attributed to a one time credit in Q1 2007 of $1.9 million associated with pension accounting. All Other also includes the results of in-licensed toy lines: for Q1 2008, net sales of $1.5 million and operating income of $0.7 million; for Q1 2007, net sales of $4.2 million and an operating loss of $2.6 million.

Marvel listed projects in its pipeline (along with the announced Avengers films):

Ant-Man: Writer/director engaged (Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, respectively)
Punisher: War Zone: December 5th, 2008 release
X-Men Origins: Wolverine: May 1st, 2009 release

A side note - if you look at the schedule (and if schedules hold, but given Marvel's luck with the first weekend in May, there's no reason to think they won't) - Free Comic Book Day will occur near a major comic book movie release for the next three years - at least.

Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon: scheduled for Spring 2009 release
Iron Man: Armored Adventures cartoon: scheduled for Spring 2009 release on Nicktoons
Hulk Gamma Corps cartoon: scheduled for Spring 2009 release
Super Hero Squad cartoon: scheduled for Spring 2009 release

Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow DVD: late 2008 release
"Hulk Vs". DVD: early 2009 release
Thor: Son of Asgard DVD: late 2009 release
Planet Hulk DVD Early 2010 release

Spider-Man: The Musical: still in development

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows video game: fall 2008 release.

[Fallingbike]

What? No Ant-Man movie?

[jonmason1977]

No mention of Wolverine either - is Ant-Man with Marvel pictures or an outside studio? Is that the reason...

[Blind Assassin]

Originally Posted by Fallingbike

What? No Ant-Man movie?

Yes, there is an ant man movie.

Its mentioned in the article:

Marvel listed projects in its pipeline (along with the announced Avengers films):

Ant-Man: Writer/director engaged (Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, respectively)
Punisher: War Zone: December 5th, 2008 release
X-Men Origins: Wolverine: May 1st, 2009 release

[Bandito]

Originally Posted by Fallingbike

What? No Ant-Man movie?

Read this part again:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

and two “Avenger-themed” movies in summer of 2011.

[Blind Assassin]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

No -t he first two posters were right - I updated with the list after the initial post.

MattB

ah, sorry about that, matt.

[Moosarama]

Spider-man: The Musical? I thought that already came out last year, under the title of Spider-man 3.

[MattBrady]

No - the first two posters were right - I updated with the list after the initial post.

MattB

[WTHIOTina]

Let's just hope the Avengers aren't dressed in black leather with A belt buckles *cough*

[SpyGuy]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Hulk Vs. DVD: early 2009 release

Hulk Vs. DVD? I gotta say, I like the Hulk's chances fighting DVD more than his chances fighting Blu-Ray...

[lasiurus]

Do you think anyone around the world will pay to see a movie called 'Captain America'???? Are you stupid. Everyone around the world hates America and the general public assume(obviously it's not true but this is the perception) that Captain America is a jingoistic right wing redneck superhero.

The only way to do it is make The Avengers and make Captain America the focal point like the Ultimates comics. Then people will see what a cool character he is and then there is a better chance that people will pay to see a Captain America movie. This is just common sense. God. Some producers. They have no idea what they're doing.

Everyone has generally agreed that it's the smartest thing to do.

Make Avengers and keep something special, ie the discovery of Cap(after the awesome Ultimates intro) and then make a solo Cap movie. Seriously I don't understand how you could not think this is logical. If you disagree with me Kevin Feige then i'd like to hear it, but as far as this goes I am a better producer than you. (yeah you were involved in Iron Man but I think that was Favreau more than you).

Who else thinks that a smarter business move would be Avengers then Captain America?

[CitC]

Although I enjoyed Ghost Rider (some little changes would have made it better though), the Avenger themed movies need to be at a higher quality. They can't all be as good as Iron Man, but a poorly done movie in the bunch will hurt the team film.

[Moosarama]

Originally Posted by SpyGuy

Hulk Vs. DVD? I gotta say, I like the Hulk's chances fighting DVD more than his chances fighting Blu-Ray...

No, no, no - obviously Hulk will be fighting to overturn the ruling in D v D [2001] 1 FLR 495.

[RogueSmurf6]

Woohoo! There's still an Ant-Man movie!

[Moosarama]

Originally Posted by lasiurus

Do you think anyone around the world will pay to see a movie called 'Captain America'????

Yes.

Are you stupid.

Is that a question?

Everyone around the world hates America

You took a survey of 7 billion, I assume?

The only way to do it is make The Avengers and make Captain America the focal point like the Ultimates comics. Then people will see what a cool character he is and then there is a better chance that people will pay to see a Captain America movie. This is just common sense. God. Some producers. They have no idea what they're doing.

Hey, God hasn't done such a bad job thus far . . .

Everyone has generally agreed that it's the smartest thing to do.

All 7 billion are in unanimous agreement?

[CitC]

Make Avengers and keep something special, ie the discovery of Cap(after the awesome Ultimates intro) and then make a solo Cap movie. Seriously I don't understand how you could not think this is logical. If you disagree with me Kevin Feige then i'd like to hear it, but as far as this goes I am a better producer than you. (yeah you were involved in Iron Man but I think that was Favreau more than you).

I'm not sure why this post was so agresive, but I think having the team discover Cap in the ice makes a lot of sense.

[jonmason1977]

Originally Posted by lasiurus

Do you think anyone around the world will pay to see a movie called 'Captain America'???? Are you stupid. Everyone around the world hates America and the general public assume(obviously it's not true but this is the perception) that Captain America is a jingoistic right wing redneck superhero.

While I agree that introducing Cap through Avengers (Ultimates-style) first would be better, I really take issue with the "Do you think anyone will pay to see a movie called Captain America?" While a lot of people do "hate" America - it doesn't stop them loving US popular culture, Independece Day, Armageddon, heck, even Transformers feature the US Military as heroes who save the world and they did alright overseas. As long as the movie itself is well-made it doesnt have to be any more over the top in patriotism than these films were - especially if they have the balls to go the route of him waking up in the modern world and not liking what America has become. In fact by reflecting the views of much of the world ie - Captain America represents what America should be about: freedom, hope and democracy - it actually has the potential to have some depth to it.

[lasiurus]

Originally Posted by jonmason1977

While I agree that introducing Cap through Avengers (Ultimates-style) first would be better, I really take issue with the "Do you think anyone will pay to see a movie called Captain America?" While a lot of people do "hate" America - it doesn't stop them loving US popular culture, Independece Day, Armageddon, heck, even Transformers feature the US Military as heroes who save the world and they did alright overseas. As long as the movie itself is well-made it doesnt have to be any more over the top in patriotism than these films were - especially if they have the balls to go the route of him waking up in the modern world and not liking what America has become. In fact by reflecting the views of much of the world ie - Captain America represents what America should be about: freedom, hope and democracy - it actually has the potential to have some depth to it.

Did you not read what i said. I said it's the general perception people will have. and none of those movies had America in the title, around the world what you will hear is "groans, yeah right i'm going to see a movie about a guy called Captain America" and it has nothing to do with the character, I love Cap and even if they make Cap like he is where he stands for the ideals and not the government, it doesn't matter, people are going to see the title and not watch it, unless they see Avengers first and then see Cap is cool and then they will see it. How can they make a decision on whether Cap is a good character or not if they judge movies based on appearances. You seem to think all audiences watch movies then decide. They will never get to the conclusion that it isn't over the top patriotism if they don't even enter the theatre.

[lasiurus]

Originally Posted by Moosarama

Yes.


Is that a question?


You took a survey of 7 billion, I assume?


Hey, God hasn't done such a bad job thus far . . .


All 7 billion are in unanimous agreement?

Let me guess, you voted Bush. What else. You also believe the tooth fairy is real?

[AuH20]

Originally Posted by lasiurus

Do you think anyone around the world will pay to see a movie called 'Captain America'???? Are you stupid. Everyone around the world hates America and the general public assume(obviously it's not true but this is the perception) that Captain America is a jingoistic right wing redneck superhero.

Arguably, those action movies of the last decade or that were either openly patriotic (Independence Day) or at least willing to show American military forces in a positive light (Transformers) did not suffer in international markets because of this.

But even if you're point was remotely valid, I don't see a problem producing a film that would turn a profit only in the domestic market. I don't see what's wrong with Hollywood making a movie that would do well enough in the states that it doesn't matter how it does overseas.


More to the point, it's not the case that we are unanimously hated around the world, and you shouldn't project your own hatreds onto other people and presume that they share in your neurosis.

[Moosarama]

Originally Posted by lasiurus

Did you not read what i said. I said it's the general perception people will have. and none of those movies had America in the title, around the world what you will hear is "groans, yeah right i'm going to see a movie about a guy called Captain America" and it has nothing to do with the character, I love Cap and even if they make Cap like he is where he stands for the ideals and not the government, it doesn't matter, people are going to see the title and not watch it, unless they see Avengers first and then see Cap is cool and then they will see it. How can they make a decision on whether Cap is a good character or not if they judge movies based on appearances. You seem to think all audiences watch movies then decide. They will never get to the conclusion that it isn't over the top patriotism if they don't even enter the theatre.

And what technologically advanced country are you from that can so easily poll seven billion people?

[DoctorEvil]

My guess is if they're doing a Captain America and Avengers movie in the same year, then the Captain America movie will be set in World War II. I think that would make it far more accessable to people and provide a nice lead in for the Avengers movie (as they thaw Cap out of a block of ice)

[Pauul]

Yeah, a lot of people around the world do 'hate America'. I'm actually among them. But it would be more accurate to say that those feelings of aggression are aimed pretty much at the American goverment and their foreign policy. In Britain those feelings are actually pretty common. However, our culture is also greatly influenced by American culture... not surprising given the amount of television and other media which is imported. So, the worlds feelings towards America are pretty splintered. On one hand there is a lot to like about America, but on the other there is also a lot to dislike.

I don't think those feelings would negately affect a 'Captain America' movie. In fact, if it's made right and gets good reviews it'll probably do very well.

As a side note I think it'd be pretty cool to have the Avengers recover Cap from the ice. For a Captain America movie I'd rather see him fighting alongside Bucky during World War II. I think it's also slightly weird that they're not putting Ant-Man with the other Avengers projects... I guess that means he wont be in the Avengers movie. I thought certain he would be as Hank Pym is apparently gonna have a smaller part in the Ant-Man film (the movie is rumoured to focus on Scott Lang)... it would've made more sense to have a lower paid actor portraying Henry Pym and then have him reprising that role in the Avengers movie turning himself into Giant Man or something.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by lasiurus

Let me guess, you voted Bush. What else. You also believe the tooth fairy is real?

Alright - no you've shown you're here to be troublesome. Goodbye.

Folks - can we please close off this specific aggro vein of the discussion (although the viability, worldwide, of a Captain America film is still open for discussion), and of course, no further responses to him?

thanks

MattB

[comic_guy]

Jon Favreau was correct when he said the other movies of Avengers characters (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America) need to be done first so people who aren't into comics understand who these heroes are. You'd be surprised at how many people who have no idea who Captain America is. So I disagree with you on when to put the movies out. Establish the characters first, then do the Avengers movie (The same should be done over at WB for the Justice League movie. Get the Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern movies done first before doing JL).