It was formed in the late 1990s following Revlon CEO Ronald Perelman's acquisition of parent company Marvel Entertainment. This resulted in the re-entry of Marvel into the motion picture and television business.
Marvel Studios was formerly headed by Avi Arad (1993-31 May2006, as director since 1993, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since Oct1998)[1]. A $525 million non-recourse debt financing for up to 10 films produced using Marvel is completed in September 2004. In 2005, Michael Helfant joins the studio as as President and Chief Operating Officer.[2] In March 2007, David Maisel is named Chairman, Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige as President of Production amongs a multiple high level hires or promotions at the Studio as Ironman beginings filming while Helfant leaves the Studio.[3]
Co-productions
During the opening logo of films with the company's involvement, pictures from the company's comic books are flipped through. Some films contain the flipping images of various Marvel comics of different superheroes for the opening logo (Spider-Man film series, Daredevil, Blade: Trinity and X2), while others have images of comics involving the namesake superhero(s) of that particular film (Hulk, Fantastic Four film series, The Punisher, etc.).
Before all independent films, the Marvel Studios logo is shown, yet doesn't flick through different comics. In 2005, Variety reported that Marvel themselves will start producing some of the films with Paramount Pictures distributing them. The funding will come from a seven year $525 million revolving credit facility with Merill Lynch. Since the announcement, Marvel's film slate has expanded to include:
