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Tag: Marvel

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment to animate Spider-Man

    Sony Pictures Entertainment to animate Spider-Man

    MUMBAI: On 20 July, 2018, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will be taking Spider-Man back to his graphic roots with the first-of-its-kind animated Spider-Man feature.

     

    The film will exist independently of the projects in the live-action Spider-Man universe, all of which are continuing.

     

    Lord and Miller are masterminding the project, writing the treatment and producing the film.

     

    As previously announced, Spider-Man will next appear in a live-action Marvel film from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). Sony Pictures will thereafter release the next installment of its $4 billion Spider-Man franchise, on 28 July, 2017, a live-action film being produced by Kevin Feige at Marvel and Amy Pascal, who oversaw the franchise launch for the studio 13 years ago.

     

    The animated film from Lord and Miller, dated 20 July, 2018, has Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Pascal also serving as producers.

     

    Spider-Man, embraced all over the world, is the most successful franchise in the history of Sony Pictures, with the five films having taken in more than $4 billion worldwide.

  • ‘Avengers – Age of Ultron’ to release in India ahead of US

    ‘Avengers – Age of Ultron’ to release in India ahead of US

    MUMBAI: The next installment of Marvel’s Avengers franchise – Avengers – Age of Ultron will release in India on 24 April, 2015, which is a week earlier than its North American release.

     

    This sequel to one of the highest grossing Hollywood film of all times The Avengers (2012), will be released in Hindi, Tamil and Telegu versions simultaneously along with the English version.

     

    The movie stars Robert Downey Jr.(Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Chris Evans (Captain America), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Don Cheadle (James Rhodes/War Machine), Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill), Stellan Skarsg?rd (Erik Selvig) with James Spader (Ultron) and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury).

     

    The movie will also see two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.

     

    Avengers: Age of Ultron has been written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige.

  • Consumer products segment leads Disney’s record profits for Q1-2015

    Consumer products segment leads Disney’s record profits for Q1-2015

    BENGALURU: The Walt Disney Company Inc (Disney) reported 17.4 per cent higher operating income (op inc) of $3545 million (27.7 per cent of all segment operating revenue or TIO) for Q1-2015 (quarter ended 27 December, 2014, current quarter) versus $3020 million (24.5 per cent of TIO) in quarter ended 28 December, 2013 – Q1-2014.Op Inc in Q1-2015 was 27.7 per cent more than the Op Inc reported for the immediate trailing quarter (Q4-2014, previous quarter, quarter ended 27 September, 2014) at $2775 million (22.4 per cent of TIO).

     

    Leading the growth with a 45.6 per cent y-o-y increase in Q1-2015 at $626 million from the $430 million was its Consumer Products segment (CP).CP’s Op Inc in Q1-2015 grew 65.2 per cent from the $379 million in Q4-2014.Though a couple of Disney’s segments reported drops in revenues, Op Inc of all of Disney’s other segments – Media Networks (MN), Parks & Resorts (P&R), Studio Entertainment (SE) and Interactive, also showed positive y-o-y and q-o-q growth.

     

    Disney’s TIO for Q1-2015 grew 8.8 per cent y-o-y to $13391 million from $12309 million and was 8.1 per cent higher q-o-q than the $12389 million in Q4-2015.

     

    “This was yet another incredibly strong quarter for our Company, with diluted EPS up 23 per cent driven by record revenue as well as significant growth in segment operating income, ” said Disney chairman and CEO Robert A Iger.”Our results once again reflect the strength of our brands and high quality content and demonstrate that our proven franchise strategy creates long-term value across all of our businesses”

     

    Disney Segment results

     

    Media Networks

     

    MN is Disney’s largest segment, both in terms of revenue and Op Inc.MN reported 2.7 per cent growth in Op Inc to $1495 million (41.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in the current quarter from the $1455 million (48.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2014 and a growth of 4 per cent from $1437 million (51.8 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q4-2014.

     

    During Q1-2015, MN revenue grew 10.8 per cent to $5860 million (43.8 per cent of TIO) from $5290 million (43 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and was 12.3 per cent more than the $5217 million (42.1 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    Two sub-segments contribute to MN – Cable Networks and Broadcasting

     

    Cable Networks

     

    Cable Networks reported 11 per cent growth in revenue in Q1-2015 to $4166 million from $3759 million in Q1-2014.Cable Network’s Op Inc fell two per cent to $1255 million from $1277 million in Q1-2014.

     

    Disney says that Operating income at Cable Networks decreased two per cent due to a decrease at ESPN, which was partially offset by increases at the worldwide Disney Channels and ABC Family.

     

    The decrease at ESPN was due to higher programming and production costs and, to a lesser extent, higher marketing, general and administrative and technical costs and lower advertising revenue.These decreases were partially offset by affiliate fee contractual rate increases, a reduction in revenue deferrals as a result of changes in contractual provisions related to annual programming commitments and an increase in subscribers, taking into account the new SEC Network.

     

    Programming and production cost increases were due to a contractual rate increase for NFL programming and rights costs for the SEC Network.ESPN advertising revenue decreased due to lower ratings for certain of our programs, partially offset by higher rates.

     

    The increase at the worldwide Disney Channels was due to higher affiliate rates for the domestic channels and higher international advertising revenues, partially offset by higher programming costs.

     

    International advertising revenues were driven by the company’s new channel in Germany, which was launched in January 2014.Increased programming costs were driven by higher pilot write-offs and costs for the new channel in Germany.The increase at ABC Family was due to higher affiliate revenue due to higher rates and increased advertising revenue reflecting higher units sold.

     

    Broadcasting

     

    Revenue from Broadcasting grew 11 per cent to $1694 million in Q1-2015 from $1531 million in Q1-2014.Op Inc for this sub-segment grew 35 per cent to $240 million from $178 million in Q1-2014.

     

    The company says that Operating income at Broadcasting increased due to an increase in affiliate fees and higher program sales.These increases were partially offset by lower advertising revenue.

     

    The increase in affiliate revenues was due to contractual rate increases and new contractual provisions.Program sales growth included higher sales of Criminal Minds, Scandal and Once Upon A Time.Lower advertising revenue was due to fewer units sold at the ABC Television Network, partially offset by an increase at the owned television stations due to higher political advertising and an increase from higher primetime rates.

     

    Parks & Resorts

     

    P&R revenue in the current quarter at $3910 million (29.2 per cent of all revenue) was 8.7 per cent more than the $3597 million (29.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 but was 1.3 per cent lower than the $3960 million (32 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    P&R reported 20 per cent growth in Op Inc to $805 million (22.7 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2015 from $671 million (22.2 per cent of all Op Inc) and a growth of 17.2 per cent from the $687 million (24.8 per cent of all Op Inc) in the previous quarter.

     

    Disney says that Operating income growth for the quarter was driven by an increase at domestic operations, partially offset by a decrease at its international operations.

     

    Higher operating income at Disney’s domestic operations reflected both higher volumes and guest spending growth at its parks and resorts and, to a lesser extent, at its cruise business, partially offset by higher costs.Guest spending growth at Disney’s parks and resorts reflected higher average ticket prices and increased merchandise, food and beverage spending.The volume increase at its cruise business reflected higher passenger cruise ship days due to the impact of the Disney Magic being in dry-dock for a portion of the prior-year quarter.Increased costs were driven by labour and other cost inflation, higher pension and post-retirement medical costs and increased depreciation driven by new attractions.

     

    The decrease at Disney’s international operations was driven by higher Shanghai Disney Resort pre-opening expenses, the impact of a weaker Japanese yen on Tokyo Disney Resort royalties and higher costs at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, partially offset by an increase at Disneyland Paris.The increase at Disneyland Paris was due to higher guest spending, attendance and occupied room nights, partially offset by higher costs driven by higher volumes, new guest offerings and marketing costs.The increase in guest spending was driven by higher average ticket prices.

     

    Studio Entertainment

     

    SE reported a 1.8 per cent drop in revenue to $1858 million (13.9 per cent of TIO) in the current quarter from $1893 million (15.4 per cent of TIO) reported for the year ago quarter and a 4.5 per cent growth from the $1178 million (14.4 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    SE Op Inc in Q1-2015 grew 30 per cent to $544 million (15.3 per cent of all Op Inc) in the current quarter from $409 million (13.5 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2014 and more than doubled (up 2.14 times) from $254 million (9.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in the previous quarter.

     

    The company says that higher operating income was due to an increase in home entertainment results, higher revenue share with the Consumer Products segment due to the performance of Frozen merchandise and higher TV/SVOD distribution results driven by more titles available internationally.These increases were partially offset by lower theatrical distribution results.

     

    The increase in home entertainment results was driven by higher unit sales and lower per unit costs.

     

    Unit sales growth was driven by Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen and Maleficent in the current quarter compared to Monsters University and The Lone Ranger in the prior-year quarter, which did not include the release of a Marvel title.The decrease in unit costs reflected distribution cost savings and lower production cost amortization reflecting a higher amortization rate on The Lone Ranger in the prior year quarter.

     

    Lower theatrical distribution results reflected the performance of Big Hero 6 in the current quarter compared to Frozen in the prior-year quarter.In addition, the current quarter included the continuing performance of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which was released in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 whereas the prior-year quarter included the release of Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World.

     

    Consumer Products

     

    CP Op Inc has been mentioned above.CP revenue in Q1-2015 grew 22.5 per cent to $1379 million (10.3 per cent of TIO) from $1126 million (9.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and was 28.6 per cent more than the $1072 million (8.7 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Disney says that higher operating income was due to increases at its Merchandise Licensing and Retail businesses.The increase in operating income at Merchandise Licensing was due to the performance of merchandise based on Frozen and, to a lesser extent, Disney Channel properties, Mickey and Minnie, Spider-Man and Avengers.

     

    At Disney’s Retail business, higher operating income for the quarter was due to comparable store sales growth and higher online sales in all regions driven by sales of Frozen merchandise.

     

    Interactive

     

    Interactive is Disney’s smallest in terms of revenue and Op Inc.Interactive reported revenue of $384 million (3.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015, $403 million (3.3 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and $362 million (2.9 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014.

     

    Op Inc for the Interactive segment grew to US 73 million in Q1-2015 versus the $55 million in Q1-2014 and $18 million in Q4-2014.

     

    The company says that improved operating results were due to an increase at its mobile games business driven by the success of Tsum Tsum and Frozen Free Fall as well as lower product development costs due to fewer titles in development.This increase was partially offset by lower results at our console games business reflecting higher per unit costs driven by the mix of Disney Infinity products sold, lower unit sales and higher marketing costs.The decrease in unit sales was driven by lower sales of Infinity accessories and catalogue titles, partially offset by higher sales of Infinity starter packs.

     

    Click here to read first quarter earnings for fiscal 2015

  • Mattel reports lower results for Q4-2015 and FY-2014; CEO Stockton takes the fall, quits

    Mattel reports lower results for Q4-2015 and FY-2014; CEO Stockton takes the fall, quits

    BENGALURU:  Mattel, Inc (Mattel) reported a 6 per cent drop in worldwide sales from Q4-2014 (quarter ended 31 December 2014, current quarter) to US$ 1994 million from US$ 2113.2 million in Q4-2014. Worldwide sales for FY-2014 (year ended 31 December 2014) fell 7.3 per cent to US$ 6023.8 million from US$ 6484.9 million in FY-2013.

     

    For the quarter, the company reported net income of US$ 149.9 million, or US$ 0.44 per share, which includes a negative impact of US$ 0.05 per share from MEGA Brands integration costs and a negative tax impact of US$ 0.03 per share, compared to last year’s fourth quarter net income of US$ 369.2 million, or US$ 1.07 per share. For the year, the Company reported net income of US$ 498.9 million, or US$ 1.45 per share, which includes a negative impact of US$ 0.16 per share from MEGA Brands acquisition and integration costs 3 and a tax benefit of US$ 0.13 per share, compared to last year’s net income of US$ 903.9 million, or US$ 2.58 per share, which included a tax benefit of US$0.09.

     

    Bryan Stockton resigned from his position as chairman and CEO, as well as from the board of directors of Mattel on 26 January 2015. The company announced Christopher Sinclair’s appointment as Mattel chairman and Interim CEO on the same day.

     

    “We are disappointed with our results but moving forward with a heightened sense of urgency to make the necessary changes to enhance our brand relevance and improve our execution,” said Sinclair. “Over the next few months, I will be focused on working with the management team to thoroughly evaluate the business in order to identify how we can improve our top-line performance and drive profitability. I am confident in our ability to revitalize our brands and our business and fully committed to delivering greater value for shareholders.”

     

    Sales by Brand

     

    Mattel Girls and Boys Brands

     

    For the fourth quarter, worldwide gross sales for Mattel Girls & Boys Brands were US$ 1.23 billion, down 9 percent versus the prior year. Worldwide gross sales for the Barbie brand were down 12 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for Other Girls brands were down 3 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for the Wheels category, which includes the Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands, were up 2 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for the Entertainment business, which includes Radica and Games, were down 21 per cent.

     

    For the year, worldwide gross sales for Mattel Girls & Boys Brands were US$ 3.90 billion, down 10 percent versus the prior year. Worldwide gross sales for the Barbie brand were down 16 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for Other Girls brands were down 2 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for the Wheels category, which includes the Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands, were up 1 percent. Worldwide gross sales for the Entertainment business, which includes Radica and Games, were down 20 per cent.

     

    Fisher-Price Brands

     

    Fourth quarter worldwide gross sales for Fisher-Price Brands, which includes the Fisher-Price Core, Fisher-Price Friends and Power Wheels  brands, were US$ 578.9 million, down 11 percent versus the prior year. For the year, worldwide gross sales for Fisher-Price Brands were US$ 1.84 billion, down 13 per cent versus the prior year.

     

    American Girl Brands

     

    Fourth quarter gross sales for American Girl Brands, which offers American Girl-branded products directly to consumers, were US$ 318.3 million, down 4 percent versus the prior year. For the year, gross sales for American Girl Brands were US$ 620.7 million, down 2 percent versus the prior year.

     

    Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands

     

    Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands

     

    Fourth quarter gross sales for Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands, which includes the MEGA BLOKS and RoseArt brands, were US$ 130.0 million. For the year, gross sales for Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands were US$ 315.0 million. Mattel acquired MEGA Brands Inc. on 30 April 2014.

  • The Avengers’ Loki set to dawn a country star’s hat in new biopic

    The Avengers’ Loki set to dawn a country star’s hat in new biopic

    MUMBAI: Keeping his villainous persona as The Avengers’ Loki on hold momentarily, Tom Hiddleston will play country western singer Hank Williams in Marc Abraham’s I Saw the Light, which will recount the legendary country musician’s rise to fame and the tragic downfall that ensued.

     

    Hiddleston, who will do his own singing in the film, has appeared as Loki in Thor, The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World. He recently wrapped Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak and will soon start work on Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise.

     

    The film is written and directed by Abraham and is based on the bestselling biography by Colin Escott’s biography. The film is scheduled to begin production in Louisiana in October. Via Sony ATV, the production has secured rights to the Williams music catalogue including hits as “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”

  • Robert ‘Iron Man’ Downey, Jr joins Twitter

    Robert ‘Iron Man’ Downey, Jr joins Twitter

    MUMBAI: The Iron Man himself has finally joined Twitter. With only six tweets as of now, he’s taken a dip into the social media universe. Within a couple of days, Downey has tallied 1.2 million followers. Wow, word travels fast.

    Iron Man is a billion dollar franchise for Marvel since it first introduced Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark in 2008. Worldwide the first film grossed $585 million, the second one, $623.9 million and the third, $1.2 billion. The next Marvel title for the actor is Avengers: Age of Ultron which will bow 1 May, 2015 from Disney.

    The actor has long been a strong presence on social media due to his many fans who call him #RDJ. His fans post video bits from the actor from media, on-stage award shows, red carpet appearances, and other media events showcasing the witty side.

    His opening Tweet read: Loving all the love, folks. It’s been a blast. Though can somebody please explain how anyone can keep their thoughts to 140 characters or le

    Below is the first pic that #RDJ shared with the twitterati, boy does he know how to start a party…
  • Marvel releases first full trailer of Guardians of the Galaxy

    Marvel releases first full trailer of Guardians of the Galaxy

    MUMBAI: Marvel Studios unveiled its newest team of superheroes on Tuesday night with the first trailer for the movie Guardians of the Galaxy. The footage for the film, based on the cult Marvel comic, premiered on American Broadcasting Company (ABC)’s late night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!

     

    From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team – the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits – Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon; Groot, a tree-like humanoid; the deadly and enigmatic Gamora; and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

     

    Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which first appeared in comic books in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (Jan. 1969), stars Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Dave Bautista (Riddick), featuring Vin Diesel (Fast and Furious) as the voice of Groot, Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) as the voice of Rocket, Golden Globe Award nominee Lee Pace (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug), Michael Rooker (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), Karen Gillan (Doctor Who), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond), with Academy Award nominee John C. Reilly (Chicago), Primetime Emmy Award winner Glenn Close (Damages) as Nova Prime Rael and Academy Award winner Benicio del Toro (Traffic) as The Collector.

     

    James Gunn (Thor: The Dark World) is the director of the film with Kevin Feige (Spiderman series) producing, and Louis D’Esposito (The Avengers), Victoria Alonso (Thor), Jeremy Latcham (Iron Man), Alan Fine (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Stan Lee (X-Men: Days of Future Past) serve as executive producers. The story is by Nicole Perlman and James Gunn, with screenplay by James Gunn. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy releases in U.S. theatres on 1 August 2014.

     

    Check out the world premiere of The Guardians of the Galaxy trailer

  • Marvel’s upcoming Batman v/s Superman pushed to 2016

    Marvel’s upcoming Batman v/s Superman pushed to 2016

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros announced on Friday, 17 January that the release of the upcoming sequel to the 2013 blockbuster superhero film, Man of Steel, will now be postponed to 7 May, 2016, nine months later than its previous 17 July, 2015 release date.

     

    As a result of this push to the release date, there’s a potential Warner Bros/DC showdown with rival Disney/Marvel. The movie will now see light of day on Mother’s Day weekend and will face off with Fox’s X-Men: Apocalypse, which comes only a week after. As it stands now, it will be Superman-Batman, X-Men the following weekend, and hot on their tail – The Amazing Spider-Man 3 from Sony.

     

    The Batman v/s Superman film is the high-profile follow-up to last summer’s Man of Steel, which grossed $668 million worldwide and rebooted the Superman franchise for Warner Bros.

     

    The follow-up movie, which also will feature The Caped Crusader, is in casting mode and has lined up Ben Affleck (Argo) as Batman and Gal Gadot (Fast & Furious franchise) as Wonder Woman in addition to Henry Cavill (Man of Steel), who is reprising his role as Superman. Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones) is in negotiations for a role as well.

     

    Zack Snyder – 300 fame – is directing the movie, which is now undergoing a rewrite by – the Oscar-winning scribe who penned Argo – Chris Terrio.  David Goyer (co-writer of Man of Steel and creator of Da Vinci’s Demons) wrote the initial draft.

  • Lego, Marvel team up for online series ‘Maximum Overload’

    Lego, Marvel team up for online series ‘Maximum Overload’

    MUMBAI: Lego and Marvel are teaming up on the 10-episode online series Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload.

    Marvel is launching all 10 of the episodes today exclusively on Disney.com, Disney’s YouTube channel and across Disney’s Roku-and Xbox-connected TV apps.

    Featuring Lego Spider-Man and Marvel’s most popular superheroes and villains, Maximum Overload brings the Marvel universe to a Lego-designed backdrop.

    In the series, the mischievous Loki has found a way to put the “super” in super-villain and is amassing an army to conquer Earth and beyond. His antics are keeping Spider-Man and SHIELD’s finest busy as they tackle old foes who possess new powers.

    Lego and Marvel have been in business for some time, teaming up on a successful Lego toy line as well as video games.

    Lego has become an increasingly active player in Hollywood, with a pair of hit Cartoon Network series – Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu and Legends of Chima. Warner Bros will release The Lego Movie on 7 February 2014.