Genius Brands Signs 20-Year Deal with Marvel Studios to License “Stan Lee” for Use in Future Feature Films, Television Productions, and Disney Theme Parks and Experiences
May 18 2022 - 8:30AM
“Stan Lee Universe, LLC,” Genius Brands International’s “Genius
Brands” (NASDAQ: GNUS) controlled venture with POW! Entertainment,
has signed a 20-year deal to license the name and likeness of Stan
Lee to Marvel Studios for future feature films and television
productions, as well as use in Disney theme parks and experiences
worldwide.
“We are proud to be the stewards of the incredibly valuable
rights to Stan Lee’s name, likeness, merchandise, and intellectual
property brand,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman &
CEO of Genius Brands. “And, there is no better place than Marvel
and Disney where Stan should be for his movies and theme park
experiences. As we enter the centennial year of Stan’s birthday,
December 28, 2022, we are thrilled to see his memory and legacy
will continue to delight fans through this new long-term agreement
with Marvel.”
Under the terms of the deal, Marvel
Studios has acquired rights to use Stan Lee’s name,
voice, likeness and signature in movies and television projects, as
well as use images, existing footage and existing audio recordings
featuring Stan. Exclusive rights to use Stan Lee’s name, voice,
likeness and signature in theme parks, water parks, cruise lines
and in-park merchandise were included for Disney Parks, Experiences
and Products as part of the deal.
“As Stan’s longtime business partner and friend, I’m looking
forward to commemorating his work in this new way,” said
Gill Champion, President of POW! Entertainment.
“Building a connection with his fans is important to us and it’s a
privilege to get to do that on his behalf.”
Stan is one of the most prolific and legendary comic creators of
all time. As Marvel's editor-in-chief, Stan "The Man" Lee helped
build a universe of interlocking continuity, one where fans felt as
if they could turn a street corner and run into a superhero from
Spider-Man to the Fantastic Four, Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, the
X-Men, and more. Stan went on to become Marvel’s editorial director
and publisher in 1972, and was eventually named chairman
emeritus.
Stan also appeared in some of the most popular films of all
time. His well-known cameos in Marvel films began in the 1989
telefilm The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. After the release
of X-Men in 2000, he appeared in nearly every Marvel film
and television project until his passing in 2018.
Among Stan’s many awards is the National Medal of Arts, awarded
by President Bush in 2008, and the Disney Legends Award, received
in 2017. He was also inducted into the comic industry’s Will Eisner
Award Hall of Fame and Jack Kirby Hall of Fame.
About Genius Brands International Genius Brands
International, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNUS) is a leading global kids media
company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded
children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media
and retail distribution. The Company’s IP portfolio of
family-friendly content features the Stan
Lee brand, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring
Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Kartoon Channel!; Shaq’s Garage,
starring Shaquille O’Neal, coming to Kartoon Channel!; Rainbow
Rangers on Kartoon Channel! and Netflix; Llama Llama,
starring Jennifer Garner, on Netflix and more. Recently,
Genius Brands entered into an agreement to acquire Canada’s WOW!
Unlimited Media (TSX-V: WOW), which includes 2,500 channels under
the Channel Federator Network, and has also made a strategic
investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment AG (FRA:RTV), one
of Europe’s largest distributors and broadcasters of high-quality
programs for children and families.
Genius Brands’ Kartoon Channel! is a globally
distributed entertainment platform with 100% penetration in the
U.S. television market and international expansion with launches in
key markets around the world. The channel is available in the U.S.
via a broad range of distribution platforms, including Comcast,
Cox, DISH, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fire, Apple
TV, Apple iOS, Android TV, Android Mobil, Google
Play, Roku, YouTube, KartoonChannel.com, Samsung Smart and LG
TVs, the JetBlue Inflight platform and more. Genius Brands will
soon launch the subscription-based Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse,
featuring metaversal content and over 15,000 animated
titles.
For additional information, please
visit www.gnusbrands.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:pr@gnusbrands.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
ir@gnusbrands.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ad5878e9-6531-4d17-92a3-ff0e475b52e5
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