Marvel Animated Features
| Marvel Animated Features | |
|---|---|
 Cover art for the Marvel Animated Features 8-Film Complete Collection | |
| Directed by | Jamie Simone (voice) |
| Based on | |
| Produced by |
|
| Edited by | George P. Rizkallah[2][3][4] |
| Music by | Guy Michelmore[2][5][3][4] |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Lionsgate[6] |
Release date | February 21, 2006[7] – May 17, 2011 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Marvel Animated Features (MAF) is a series of eight American direct-to-video animated superhero films made by MLG Productions, a joint venture between Marvel Studios (later Marvel Animation) and Lions Gate Entertainment.[8][9]
History
[edit source]In 2004, Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Comics' new parent corporation, struck a deal with Lions Gate Entertainment to produce a series of eight to ten direct-to-video animated films under the name of Marvel Animated Features[1][10] in conjunction with Marvel Studios, Marvel's direct film subsidiary.[11]
The first two features, Ultimate Avengers: The Movie and Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther, were released February 2006 and August 2006 respectively. As of November 2006, UA and UA2 combined had sold over 1.5 million units and both were in the top 10 children's releases for the year.[10]
After the pair of Ultimate Avengers (UA) DVDs, the next MAF film, The Invincible Iron Man, was released in January 2007. As of January 2007, Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme was slated next for summer 2007 with the tentatively titled Teen Avengers under early development.[6] Originally, the MAF were being released two per year until Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme; while it was an Annie Awards nominee for "Best Home Entertainment Production" of 2007,[12] it only sold half the number of DVD as either UA feature.[13][14][15] After which, the MAFs releases were slowed to one per year.[16][17]
Marvel Animation was incorporated in January 2008 to direct Marvel's efforts in animation and home entertainment markets, including Marvel Animation Features.[11]
A proposed Ultimate War/Thor dual film DVD was passed over for the 2009 released Hulk vs. dual film DVD. Ultimate War would have adapted the Ultimate Marvel comic book of the same name, whilst the Thor film would have selected Walt Simonson's "Thor" storyline (the original selection being a Beta Ray Bill story).[18]
At the 2009 NATPE Conference, Lionsgate brought the eight Marvel Features to the TV market.[19]
Most of the films have a PG-13 rating, but one of them has a PG rating.
Films
[edit source]| Film | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Producer(s) | Music | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Avengers: The Movie | February 21, 2006 |
|
|
Bob Richardson | Ken McLeod (direction) |
72 minutes[2] |
| Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther | August 8, 2006 |
|
Craig Kyle | Craig Kyle (executive) | David Ari Leon (direction) | 73 minutes[5] |
| The Invincible Iron Man | January 23, 2007 |
|
|
Frank Paur Craig Kyle (executive) |
David Ari Leon (supervisor)[3] |
83 minutes[20] |
| Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme | August 14, 2007 |
|
|
Frank Paur Craig Kyle (executive)[4] |
David Ari Leon (supervisor)[4] |
76 minutes |
| Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow | September 2, 2008 |
|
|
Craig Kyle Gary Hartle |
David Ari Leon (direction/ supervision)[21] |
78 minutes |
| Hulk vs. | January 27, 2009 | Frank Paur (supervising) Sam Liu[22] |
Craig Kyle Chris Yost[17] |
Craig Kyle Frank Paur |
David Ari Leon (direction/ supervision)[21] |
|
| Planet Hulk | February 2, 2010 | Sam Liu[24] | Greg Johnson |
|
David Ari Leon (direction/ supervision)[21] |
81 minutes |
| Thor: Tales of Asgard | May 17, 2011 | Gary Hartle (supervising) Sam Liu (animation)[25] |
|
Craig Kyle | David Ari Leon (direction/ supervision)[21] |
77 minutes |
Ultimate Avengers: The Movie
[edit source]Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (also known simply as Ultimate Avengers) is the first film in the Marvel Animated Features based loosely on the first six issues of the Ultimates by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. The film was released on February 21, 2006, and produced by DongWoo Animation.[26][27] The film focuses on Captain America, a super soldier who was frozen in ice for decades after stopping a Nazi/extraterrestrial plot in 1945. The Captain is assigned to lead a team of heroes (also consisting of Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, Wasp, Black Widow, and Hulk), found by Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D, to fight the alien Chitauri.[26]
Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther
[edit source]Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther, is the second film in the series and a sequel to Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, produced by Dong Woo Animation.[28] The film was released on August 8, 2006. In the film, the Black Panther teams up with the Ultimate Avengers to continue their fight against the Chitauri when they invade Africa.[5]
Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch were not in the initial Ultimate Avengers film and were originally planned to be in the sequel. Using Hawkeye as an example, Marvel Animation vice president Craig Kyle did not want him to be a background character, but stated that "he's going to matter" if he appeared.[28]
The Invincible Iron Man
[edit source]The Invincible Iron Man is the third film in the series and is based on the classic Marvel Universe version by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.[27] The film was produced by Starburst Entertainment and was released on January 23, 2007.[10] Marc Worden returns as Tony Stark/Iron Man from the Ultimate Avengers films.[3] In The Invincible Iron Man, Tony Stark, billionaire manufacturer, finds a lost Chinese city where he accidentally unleashes an evil powerful force. Stark creates a powerful weaponized combat armor to become Iron Man and defeat the Mandarin.[29]
Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme
[edit source]Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme (titled on-screen as Doctor Strange) is the fourth film in the series and is based on the character of the same name by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, separate from the Ultimate Avengers universe.[6] The film was released on August 14, 2007, and was nominated for "Best Home Entertainment Production" of 2007 for the 35th Annual Annie Awards.[12] Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme tells the story of Stephen Strange, a bitter and arrogant neurosurgeon who falls victim to a car crash that injures the nerves in his hands, such that he can no longer perform surgery. Looking for a cure, Strange instead finds a different and higher pursuit as the new Sorcerer Supreme, master of the mystical arts.[6]
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
[edit source]Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow,[19] tentatively titled Teen Avengers then Avengers Reborn, is the fifth film in the Marvel Animated Features, and was released on September 2, 2008.[6][21][30] With the loss of their Avengers parents at the hands of Ultron and raised by billionaire bachelor Tony Stark/Iron Man, four orphaned teens, James Rogers (son of Captain America and Black Widow), Torunn (daughter of Thor and Sif), Henry Pym Jr. (son of Ant-Man and Wasp), and Azari (son of Black Panther and Storm), must live up to their parents' legacy and defeat Ultron, the robot who killed them. Additional allies are recruited including Vision, Hulk, and Francis Barton (son of Hawkeye and Mockingbird).[21]
Hulk Vs.
[edit source]Hulk Vs. is a double-feature film released on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 27, 2009, and the sixth in the series.[17] The two features are Hulk vs. Thor and Hulk vs. Wolverine.[18] In Hulk vs. Thor, Thor's villainous half-brother Loki teams up with the Enchantress to separate the Hulk and his alter ego, Bruce Banner, and use the former as a weapon. In Hulk vs. Wolverine, Wolverine is sent to deal with Hulk, but both are captured and must deal with Weapon X.
Hulk vs. Wolverine is based on The Incredible Hulk #181 by Roy Thomas, Len Wein, and John Romita Sr.[22] Hulk vs. was selected over a proposed Ultimate War/Thor double feature film. Writer and producer Christopher Yost confirmed that both films share continuity with Wolverine and the X-Men, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, and Thor: Tales of Asgard.[18] The film was produced by Madhouse.[22] The DVD was originally called Hulk Smash and intended to be released in October 2008.[16]
Planet Hulk
[edit source]Planet Hulk is the seventh film in the series. It was released on February 2, 2010 as a Two-Disc Special Edition DVD, Special Edition Blu-ray, Standard DVD, and Digital Download.[22][24] The film is based on the Planet Hulk story line in the comic book published in 2006–2007 by writer Greg Pak and artist Carlo Pagulayan.[24][31] Notable divergences from the original comic show Beta Ray Bill taking Silver Surfer's place as Hulk's first opponent in the gladiatorial ring, as well as the Red King's Royal Guard being replaced with Death's Head troopers. Also, the ending indicates that Hulk's marriage with Caiera and his ascendance to King of Sakaar, as well as the Warbound becoming his Royal Guard, to be lasting, with no sign of any development mirroring World War Hulk being featured.[24]
Thor: Tales of Asgard
[edit source]Thor: Tales of Asgard is the eighth and final film in the series. The film was released on May 17, 2011, and follows a young Thor who looks to prove his worth as a man and a warrior. To this end, he enlists his half-brother Loki and the Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg) to retrieve a sword hidden in the realm of Jotunheim. However, their journey runs the risk of reigniting a long-dormant war between Asgard and Jotunheim. The film takes place in the same universe as Hulk vs., Wolverine and the X-Men, and The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes and serves as a prequel to all three. The film was produced by The Answer Studio.
Cast and characters
[edit source]| Character | Ultimate Avengers | Ultimate Avengers 2 | Invincible Iron Man | Doctor Strange | Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow | Hulk Versus | Planet Hulk | Thor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algrim | Ron Halder | |||||||
| Ancient One | Michael Yama | |||||||
| Azari | Dempsey Pappion | |||||||
| Balder | Michael Adamthwaite | |||||||
| Francis Barton | Adrian Petriw | |||||||
| Beta Ray Bill | Paul Dobson | |||||||
| Black Panther | Jeffrey D. Sams | |||||||
| Black Widow | Olivia D'Abo | |||||||
| Bruce Banner | Michael Massee | Ken Kramer | Bryce Johnson | |||||
| Caiera | Lisa Ann Beley | |||||||
| Captain America | Justin Gross | |||||||
| Wong-Chu | James Sie | |||||||
| Deadpool | Nolan North | |||||||
| Dormammu | ||||||||