Marvel Productions
{{Short description|American production company}}
{{About|the animation company primarily active from 1981 until 1993||Marvel Animation (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox company
| name = {{ubl|Marvel Productions Ltd.|New World Animation}}
| former_name = {{ubl|DePatie–Freleng Enterprises (1963–1981)|Marvel Productions Ltd. (1981–1993)}}
| type = Subsidiary
| logo = New World Animation logo.png
| logo_caption = New World Animation's logo, which was used from 1993 to 1996
| fate = Acquired by News Corporation and folded into Fox Family Worldwide
| predecessor = DePatie–Freleng Enterprises
| successors = Studio:
20th Century Animation
Marvel Animation
Marvel Studios Animation
Library:
The Walt Disney Company (majority)
Hasbro Entertainment (assets from Sunbow Entertainment and Claster Television)
Amazon MGM Studios (via United Artists)
| foundation = {{start date and age|1981}}
| defunct = {{end date and age|1996}}
| founder = {{Plainlist|
| location = Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
| industry = {{Plainlist|
| key_people = {{Plainlist|
- Stan Lee
- David H. DePatie
- Margaret Loesch
- Tom Tataranowicz}}
| products = {{Plainlist|
| parent = {{Plainlist|
- Cadence Industries (1981–1986)
- Marvel Entertainment Group (1986–1989)
- New World Entertainment (1989–1996)}}
}}
Marvel Productions Ltd., later known as New World Animation, 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.{{cite news|title=Marvel Productions Plans Move to West Los Angeles|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 2, 1989|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-02-fi-2453-story.html|access-date=October 22, 2010}} It later became a subsidiary of New World Entertainment and eventually of News Corporation.
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. Animation.{{cite book|last=Mangel|first=Andy|title=Marvel Age Issue 100 |date=May 1991 |publisher=Marvel Comics |url=https://www.andymangels.com/marvelage.html|editor=Jim Salicrup|access-date=October 25, 2011|chapter=Reel Marvel|via=AndyMangels.com}}{{cite news|last1=Gilroy|first1=Dan|title=Marvel Grows Into $100-Million Hulk|url=https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-9Sx_QkCoE/TpcRkt4j6cI/AAAAAAAAAgg/-8yZ0qOWI3U/s1600/variety25-7.jpg|access-date=October 18, 2011|newspaper=Variety|date=September 17, 1986|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720122946/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-9Sx_QkCoE/TpcRkt4j6cI/AAAAAAAAAgg/-8yZ0qOWI3U/s1600/variety25-7.jpg|archive-date=July 20, 2013|page=92 |format=jpeg |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web|title=DePatie, David H. |url=http://www.cartoonhalloffame.org/2006/04/depatie-david-h.html |work=ASIFA-Hollywood Cartoon Hall Of Fame |publisher=The International Animated Film Society: ASIFA-Hollywood |access-date=May 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109134019/http://www.cartoonhalloffame.org/2006/04/depatie-david-h.html |archive-date=November 9, 2011 }}
= Marvel Productions (1981–1993) =
File:Marvel Productions logo.png
Marvel Productions opened its Los Angeles studio in 1981. In 1984, Margaret Loesch joined Marvel Productions as president and chief executive officer.{{cite news|last1=Godfrey|first1=Leigh|title=Loesch Steps Down From Crown|url=https://www.awn.com/news/loesch-steps-down-crown|access-date=February 16, 2018|work=Animation World Network|date=October 10, 2001|language=en}} 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.{{cite news|first1=Jonathan P. |last1=Hicks|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Marvel Comic Book Unit Being Sold for $82.5 Million|work=The New York Times|date=November 8, 1988 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/08/business/the-media-business-marvel-comic-book-unit-being-sold-for-82.5-million.html|access-date=October 22, 2010}}
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. MP moved their offices from Van Nuys to West Los Angeles in May 1989.
New World's problems continued, which led them to also be acquired by the Andrews Group within the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/macandrews-forbes-holdings-inc-history/ |title=History of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. |publisher=FundingUniverse |access-date=January 22, 2016}} Loesch left for Fox Kids in 1990.{{cite web|title=Margaret Loesch Biography|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movie/contributor/1808576254/bio|work=Yahoo! Movies|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=May 19, 2011}} 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.{{cite news|title=New World forms two new kidvid banners|url=https://variety.com/1992/film/news/new-world-forms-two-new-kidvid-banners-101945/|access-date=May 27, 2014|periodical=Variety|date=December 8, 1992}}{{cite news|author1=Times Staff|title=New World Expands TV Program Activities|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-09-fi-1636-story.html|access-date=May 27, 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 9, 1992}}
= New World Animation (1993–1996) =
Marvel Productions was renamed New World Animation in November 1993.{{cite news|last=Freeman|first=Mike|title=New world of animation: former Marvel Entertainment chief Rick Ungar will head new division concentrating on original animated series, including upcoming 'Stealth Warriors.'|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14701883.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629120645/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14701883.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2014|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 1, 1993}} In 1994, Marvel and New World established Marvel Films including Marvel Films Animation.{{cite press release|title=MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT AND AVI ARAD TO DEVELOP MEDIA PROJECTS |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MARVEL+ENTERTAINMENT+AND+AVI+ARAD+TO+DEVELOP+MEDIA+PROJECTS-a013140213|date=April 21, 1993|publisher=Marvel Entertainment Group|agency=PR Newswire|access-date=April 13, 2011}}{{cite web|title=John Semper on "Spider-Man": 10th Anniversary Interview|url=http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/semperinterview4.htm|work=Marvel Animation Age|publisher=Toonzone|access-date=May 5, 2011|archive-date=May 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514224707/http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/semperinterview4.htm}}{{cite web|last=Cawley|first=John|title=Marvel Films Animation 1993–1997|url=http://www.cataroo.com/020104.html|work=Home of John Cawley|publisher=Cataroo|access-date=5 May 2011|archive-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522140322/http://www.cataroo.com/020104.html}} New World Animation (The Incredible Hulk), Saban Entertainment (X-Men), and Marvel Films Animation (Spider-Man), each produced a Marvel series for television.{{cite news|last=Goldman|first=Michael|title=Stan Lee: Comic Guru|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.4/awm2.4pages/2.4goldmanlee.html|work=Animation World Magazine|publisher=Animation World Network|access-date=May 5, 2011}} Tom Tataranowicz was in charge of both Marvel Films Animation and New World Animation during this period.{{cite news|last=Materna|first=Marisa|title=Gang of Seven Goes Employee-Owned Route|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/gang-seven-goes-employee-owned-route|access-date=July 19, 2011|newspaper=Animation World Network|date=February 24, 2005}}
= 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.{{cite news|title=August Issue News Section – Time Warner-Turner Merger Approved and Fox to Take Over New World|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/newsmag1.5.html|access-date=July 19, 2011|newspaper=Animation World Magazine|date=August 1996}} 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.{{cite news|title=August Issue News Section – Marvel Super Heroics To Continue On Fox Kids Network|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/newsmag1.5.html|access-date=July 19, 2011|newspaper=Animation World Magazine|date=August 1996}}
Fox Children's Productions and Saban Entertainment merged to form Fox Kids Worldwide, a holding company and joint venture, in November 1996,{{cite news |last=Hillier |first=Barry|title=Fox Kids Worldwide is born|url=https://kidscreen.com/1996/11/01/17341-19961101/ |access-date=November 21, 2010|website=Kidscreen|date=November 1, 1996}} while Fox retained ownership of New World Animation.{{cite web|title=10-K Annual Report for the Period Ending 06/30/14|url=https://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NWS/0x0xS1564590-14-3642/1308161/filing.pdf|website=shareholder.com|publisher=21st Century Fox|access-date=January 21, 2016|page=181|date=August 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126084617/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NWS/0x0xS1564590-14-3642/1308161/filing.pdf|archive-date=January 26, 2016|url-status=dead}}
= Postscript =
In July 2001, 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.{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-nov-02-fi-disney2-story.html |title=Disney Is Sued Over Copyrights|agency=Reuters |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 2, 2004 |access-date=February 24, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Hofmeister|first1=Sallie|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-21-fi-24859-story.html |title=Walt Disney to Acquire Fox Family |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 21, 2001 |access-date=February 26, 2017}}{{cite news|first1=Carl| last1=DiOrio|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/fox-family-costs-mouse-less-cheese-in-final-deal-1117854788/|title=Fox Family costs Mouse less cheese in final deal|date=October 24, 2001|periodical=Variety|access-date=October 25, 2017}}
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.
On August 31, 2009, Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion, reunifying the Marvel Productions library and Marvel Entertainment under the same corporate banner.{{cite news|last1=Wilkerson|first1=David B.|title=Disney to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4B|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-to-acquire-marvel-entertainment-for-4b-2009-08-31|website=MarketWatch|date=August 31, 2009|access-date=August 31, 2009}} 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 =
= TV specials =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Airdate
!Title !Network !Notes |
|---|
| style="text-align:right;"|February 14, 1981
| rowspan="2" |ABC |production inherited from DePatie–Freleng Enterprises |
| style="text-align:right;"|May 20, 1982
|The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat |production inherited from DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, co-production with Dr. Seuss |
| style="text-align:right;"|October 25, 1983
| rowspan="2" |syndication | rowspan="2" |based on Hasbro toyline of same name |
| style="text-align:right;"|April 14, 1984 |
| style="text-align:right;"|September 12, 1984
|The Secret World of the Very Young |CBS |co-production with Sunbow Productions |
| style="text-align:right;"|March 23, 1985
|My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina |syndication |based on Hasbro toyline of same name |
| style="text-align:right;"|1987
| rowspan="3" | CBS | rowspan="2" |co-production with King Features Syndicate |
| style="text-align:right;"|1989
|Blondie and Dagwood: Second Wedding Workout |
| style="text-align:right;"|1993
|The Magic Paintbrush |CBS prime time special sponsored by McDonald's |
| style="text-align:right;"|November 28, 1996
|Party Town Friends |Syndication | |
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.{{cite web|url=http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/corporate/2004/2004_0217_kermit.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207182316/http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/corporate/2004/2004_0217_kermit.html |archive-date=2004-12-07 |title=Disney Newsroom |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |date=February 17, 2004 |access-date=September 17, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Rossen|first1=Jake|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/75596/her-name-was-skeeter-mystery-missing-muppet |title=Her Name Was Skeeter: The Mystery of the Missing Muppet |publisher=Mental Floss |date=2016-02-17 |access-date=2016-03-07}}
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 =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Airdate
!Title !studio !Notes |
|---|
| November 28, 1984
| |Direct-to-Video |
| June 20, 1986
| rowspan="3" |with Sunbow Productions | rowspan="2" |Theatrical |
| August 8, 1986 |
| April 20, 1987
|Direct-to-Video planned for theatrical release. |
| January 1993
|Gahan Wilson's Diner | |
= Film titles =
- Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) (inherited from DePatie–Freleng Enterprises)
- Curse of the Pink Panther (1983) (inherited from DePatie–Freleng Enterprises)
= TV pilots =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: left" | ||
| Title | Original broadcast | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Solarman
| 1988 |rowspan=2| Syndication | ||
| X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men
| 1989 |
Executives
- David H. DePatie – president and chief executive officer (1980–1984)
- Margaret Loesch – president and chief executive officer (1984–1990)
- Rick Ungar – president and chief executive officer (1991–August 1995){{cite news|title=Rick Ungar, president of New World Animation since 1991|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17254157.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629120604/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17254157.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2014|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=August 28, 1995}}
- Lee Gunther – senior vice president, production (1986){{cite news|last=Gilroy |first=Dan|title=Marvel Now A $100-Million Hulk: Marvel Divisions And Top Execs|url=https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehenm6Qnx2g/TpcQJrcCJII/AAAAAAAAAgA/77b39kyZftM/s1600/variety25-2.jpg|access-date=October 18, 2011|periodical=Variety|date=September 17, 1986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214162145/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehenm6Qnx2g/TpcQJrcCJII/AAAAAAAAAgA/77b39kyZftM/s1600/variety25-2.jpg |archive-date=14 February 2012 |page=81 |format=jpeg |url-status=dead }}
- Stan Lee – vice president, creative affairs (1986)
- Michael Wahl – vice president, business affairs (1986)
- Peter Knepper – vice president and chief financial officer (1986)
- Hank Sarovan – vice president (1986)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|acyUJQpuXNg|Marvel Productions and Sunbow Entertainment logo history}}
{{Walt Disney Television}}
{{BVS Entertainment}}
{{Fox Kids}}
{{Marvel animation|state=expanded}}
{{Marvel Action Universe|state=expanded}}
{{Hasbro cartoons mid 80s}}
{{DePatie-Freleng Enterprises}}
{{Animation industry in the United States}}
Category:1981 establishments in California
Category:1996 disestablishments in California
Category:American companies established in 1981
Category:American companies disestablished in 1996
Category:American animation studios
Category:Companies based in Los Angeles
Category:Defunct film and television production companies of the United States
Category:Marvel Comics animation