Marvel Productions

Last updated
  • Marvel Productions Ltd.
  • New World Animation Ltd.
Formerly DePatie–Freleng Enterprises
(1963-1981)
Marvel Productions Ltd. (1981–1993)
Industry Film and television
Predecessor DePatie–Freleng Enterprises
Founded1981;43 years ago (1981)
Founder
Defunct1996;28 years ago (1996)
FateDefunct; Marvel Animation team re-organized by Marvel Entertainment Group
SuccessorStudio:

Library:
Headquarters Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Key people
Products
Parent

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.

Contents

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 logo.png
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

ShowYearNetworkNotes
Spider-Man 1981 Syndication Marvel property [25]
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends 1981–1983NBC [26] Marvel property, paired with The Incredible Hulk [25] [27]
The Incredible Hulk 1982NBCMarvel property, paired with Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends [25] [27]
Meatballs & Spaghetti 1982CBSco-production with InterMedia Entertainment Company, Pan Sang East Co. Ltd, and MGM/UA Television [28]
Pandamonium 1982co-production with InterMedia Entertainment Company and MGM/UA Television[ citation needed ]
Dungeons & Dragons 1983–1985co-production with TSR Entertainment/Dungeons and Dragons Entertainment Corp [29]
currently co-owned by Disney and Hasbro Entertainment
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero 1983–1986Syndicationbased on Hasbro toyline of same name with Sunbow Productions [30]
Muppet Babies 1984–1991CBSbased on Jim Henson's Muppets [31]
The Transformers 1984–1987Syndicationbased on Hasbro toyline of same name with Sunbow Productions [30]
Little Muppet Monsters 1985CBSbased on Jim Henson's Muppets, co-produced with Henson Associates [30]
Super Sunday (a.k.a. Super Saturday) 1985Syndicationbased on Hasbro toyline of same name co-produced with Sunbow Productions [30]
Jem and the Holograms 1986based on Hasbro toyline of same name co-produced with Sunbow Productions [33]
Inhumanoids 1986based on Hasbro toyline of same name co-produced with Sunbow Productions [34]
My Little Pony 'n Friends 1986Syndicationbased on Hasbro toyline of same name, coproduced with Sunbow Productions; [30] first half of the show was My Little Pony while the second half was a wheel series [32]
Defenders of the Earth [35] 1986Syndicationco-production with King Features Syndicate (owner) [32]
Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series 1987NBCbased on Fraggle Rock [31]
Little Wizards 1987ABCco-production with New World International [32]
The Little Clowns of Happytown [36] 1987ABCco-production with Murakami-Wolf-Swenson [37]
currently owned by WildBrain
Dino-Riders [35] 1988Syndicationco-produced by Tyco Toys; aired as part of the Marvel Action Universe block [32]
RoboCop 1988Syndicationco-production with Orion Pictures; aired as part of the Marvel Action Universe block [32]
Rude Dog and the Dweebs [32] 1989CBS
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men 1989Syndicationaired on the Marvel Action Universe block as a pilot for an X-Men series[ citation needed ]
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes 1990–1991FOXco-production with Fox Children's Productions [32]
Kid 'n Play 1990–1991NBCco-production with Saban Entertainment [ citation needed ]
Space Cats 1991–1992NBCco-production with Paul Fusco Productions[ citation needed ]
Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars! [35] 1991–1992Syndication (U.S.)co-production with Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, Continuity Comics, IDDH, and Sunbow Productions
Little Shop 1991Foxco-production with Saban Entertainment and Fox Children's Productions[ citation needed ]
Biker Mice from Mars [34] 1993Syndicationstudio known as New World Animation onwards, released as Marvel Productions, distributed by New World (internationally), Genesis Entertainment (domestically), [9] co-production with Philippine Animation Studios. [38]
The Incredible Hulk 1996 UPN

TV specials

AirdateTitleNetworkNotes
February 14, 1981 Pink at First Sight ABC production inherited from DePatie–Freleng Enterprises
May 20, 1982 The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat ABC production inherited from DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, co-production with Dr. Seuss
October 25, 1983 The Charmkins syndicationbased on Hasbro toyline of same name
April 14, 1984 My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle syndicationbased on Hasbro toyline of same name
September 12, 1984The Secret World of the Very YoungCBSco-production with Sunbow Productions
March 23, 1985 My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina syndicationbased on Hasbro toyline of same name
1987 Blondie and Dagwood CBSco-production with King Features Syndicate
1989Blondie and Dagwood: Second Wedding WorkoutCBSco-production with King Features Syndicate
1993The Magic PaintbrushCBSCBS prime time special sponsored by McDonald's [9]
November 28, 1996Party Town FriendsSyndication

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

AirdateTitlestudioNotes
June 20, 1986 My Little Pony: The Movie with Sunbow Productions [30] Theatrical
August 8, 1986 The Transformers: The Movie with Sunbow Productions [30] Theatrical
April 20, 1987 G.I. Joe: The Movie with Sunbow Productions [30] Direct-to-Video planned for theatrical release.
January 1993 Gahan Wilson's DinerTheatrical short [9]

Film titles

TV pilots

TitleOriginal broadcastNetwork
Solarman 1988 Syndication
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men 1989

Executives

Notes

    Related Research Articles

    Animation in the United States in the television era was a period in the history of American animation that slowly set in with the decline of theatrical animated shorts and the popularization of television animation that started in the late 1950s, reached its peak during the 1970s, and ended around the mid-1980s. This era is characterized by low budgets, limited animation, an emphasis on television over the theater, and the general perception of cartoons being primarily for children. Due to the perceived cheap production values, poor animation, and mixed critical and commercial reception, the era is generally looked back upon negatively by critics and animation historians. The television animation of this period is often referred to as the dark age of American animation, while the theatrical animation from the time is sometimes referred as the bronze age.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Friz Freleng</span> American animator, cartoonist, director, and producer (1905–1995)

    Isadore "Friz" Freleng, credited as I. Freleng early in his career, was an American animator, cartoonist, director, producer, and composer known for his work at Warner Bros. Cartoons on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from the 1930s to the early 1960s. In total he created more than 300 cartoons.

    DePatie–Freleng Enterprises was an American animation studio founded by former Warner Bros. Cartoons employees in May 1963, before dissolving in 1981. Based in Burbank, California, DFE produced animation for film and television.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Warner Bros. Animation</span> American animation studio owned by Warner Bros.

    Warner Bros. Animation Inc. is an American animation studio which is part of the Warner Bros. Television Studios, a division of Warner Bros., which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery and serves as the animation division and label of Warner Bros.

    Marvel Studios, LLC is an American film and television production company. It is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, a division of Disney Entertainment, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company. Marvel Studios produces the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films and series, based on characters that appear in Marvel Comics publications.

    Lee Gunther was a co-founder of Marvel Productions and a film editor on more than 85 animated shorts in all.

    Warner Bros. Cartoons, Inc. was an American animation studio, serving as the in-house animation division of Warner Bros. during the Golden Age of American animation. One of the most successful animation studios in American media history, it was primarily responsible for the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated short films. The characters featured in these cartoons, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, are among the most famous and recognizable characters in the world. Many of the creative staff members at the studio, including directors and animators such as Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Robert McKimson, Tex Avery, Robert Clampett, Arthur Davis, and Frank Tashlin, are considered major figures in the art and history of traditional animation.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">David H. DePatie</span> American producer (1929–2021)

    David Hudson DePatie was an American film and television producer who was the last and longest lived executive in charge of the original Warner Bros. Cartoons studio. He also formed DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, with Friz Freleng, Hanna-Barbera Productions and was an executive producer at Marvel Productions.

    The New Fantastic Four is an animated series produced by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises and Marvel Comics Animation in 1978. It is the second animated series based on Marvel's comic book series Fantastic Four, following a 1967 series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions.

    Hawley B. Pratt was an American film director, animator, designer and illustrator. He is best known for his work for Warner Bros. Cartoons and as the right-hand man of director Friz Freleng as a layout artist and later as a director. Pratt also worked for Walt Disney Studios, Filmation, and DePatie-Freleng Enterprises where he co-created The Pink Panther.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvel Animation</span> Animation company

    Marvel Animation Inc. is an American animation production company. It was incorporated on January 25, 2008 to direct Marvel's efforts in animation and home entertainment markets. The incorporated Marvel Animation included then ongoing animation efforts by Marvel Studios with Lionsgate and Nickelodeon. Marvel Animation operates under Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Disney Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Company.

    BVS Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company that formerly used to be an independent US-Israeli television production-distribution company serving worldwide; the company originally founded as a music production company under the Saban Productions name in 1980 by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy. The company and its extensions are mostly known for producing and distributing children's programs for Fox Kids, Fox Family/ABC Family and Jetix.

    Robert Herman Givens was an American animator and character designer, responsible for the creation of Bugs Bunny. He was the leading character designer for Leon Schlesinger, creating over 25 successful characters for both Leon Schlesinger Productions and later Warner Bros. Cartoons. He also did the storyboards and layout designs. He worked for numerous animation studios during his career, including Walt Disney Animation Studios, Warner Bros. Cartoons, Hanna-Barbera, and DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, beginning his career during the late 1930s and continuing until the early 2000s. He was a collaborator with the Merrie Melodies/Looney Tunes directors at Warner Bros. and Chuck Jones' production company.

    Events in 1916 in animation.

    Events in 1914 in animation.

    Events in 1912 in animation.

    Events in 1911 in animation.

    References

    1. 1 2 "Marvel Productions Plans Move to West Los Angeles". Los Angeles Times . May 2, 1989. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
    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. 1 2 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. 1 2 "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. ↑ Godfrey, Leigh (October 10, 2001). "Loesch Steps Down From Crown". Animation World Network. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
    6. 1 2 3 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. ↑ "History of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc". FundingUniverse. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
    8. 1 2 "Margaret Loesch Biography". Yahoo! Movies . Yahoo! . Retrieved May 19, 2011.
    9. 1 2 3 4 "New World forms two new kidvid banners". Variety. December 8, 1992. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
    10. ↑ Times Staff (December 9, 1992). "New World Expands TV Program Activities". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
    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. ↑ "MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT AND AVI ARAD TO DEVELOP MEDIA PROJECTS" (Press release). Marvel Entertainment Group. PR Newswire. April 21, 1993. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
    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. ↑ 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. ↑ Goldman, Michael. "Stan Lee: Comic Guru". Animation World Magazine. Animation World Network . Retrieved May 5, 2011.
    16. ↑ Materna, Marisa (February 24, 2005). "Gang of Seven Goes Employee-Owned Route". Animation World Network. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
    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. ↑ "August Issue News Section – Marvel Super Heroics To Continue On Fox Kids Network". Animation World Magazine. August 1996. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
    19. ↑ Hillier, Barry (November 1, 1996). "Fox Kids Worldwide is born". Kidscreen. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
    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. 1 2 "Disney Is Sued Over Copyrights". Los Angeles Times. Reuters. November 2, 2004. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    22. ↑ Hofmeister, Sallie (July 21, 2001). "Walt Disney to Acquire Fox Family". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
    23. ↑ DiOrio, Carl (October 24, 2001). "Fox Family costs Mouse less cheese in final deal". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
    24. ↑ Wilkerson, David B. (August 31, 2009). "Disney to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4B". MarketWatch . Retrieved August 31, 2009.
    25. 1 2 3 Fickett, Travis; Goldman, Eric; Iverson, Dan; Zoromski, Brian (May 3, 2007). "Spider-Man on TV". IGN . Retrieved September 9, 2010.
    26. ↑ "Top 100 Animated Series. 59. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends". IGN. Ziff Davis. p. 59. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
    27. 1 2 "The Incredible Hulk (1982)". IGN. Ziff Davis . Retrieved May 18, 2016.
    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. ↑ "Dungeons & Dragons". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
    30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Imbesi, Pete (May 5, 2017). "15 CLASSIC Cartoons Marvel SECRETLY Produced". Comic Book Rescoures. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
    33. 1 2 Swenson, John (December 22, 1987). "Cartoon Character Puts Singer Into Spotlight". Sun Sentinel . United Press International . Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    34. 1 2 3 Webber, Tim (December 10, 2016). "15 Cartoon Superheroes Who Jumped To Comic Books". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    35. 1 2 3 Reddish, David (September 1, 2016). "15 Animated Superhero TV Shows You Completely Forgot About". Screen Rant . Retrieved February 24, 2017.
    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. ↑ 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. ↑ "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. ↑ Anderson, Jack (January 11, 1985). "Young Astronaut Program Is Taking Off". The Tuscaloosa News . No. 111. p. 4. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
    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. ↑ 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. ↑ "Disney Newsroom". The Walt Disney Company. February 17, 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-12-07. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
    43. ↑ Rossen, Jake (2016-02-17). "Her Name Was Skeeter: The Mystery of the Missing Muppet". Mental Floss. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
    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. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.