Marvel Puts On Moviemaking Cape

Venerated comic book publisher sets up a movie studio and inks distribution deal with Paramount.

After decades of publishing the exploits of Captain America, the Avengers, and Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD among many others in print, Marvel now turns to the business of making movies.

Money drives the new initiative. Marvel earned a pittance from its licensing of Spider-Man to Sony Pictures. With the merchandising potential for huge profits, like those of George Lucas’s “Star Wars” empire, Marvel wants to emulate Mr. Lucas and have more control of its offerings.

The company will begin by producing a new Captain America movie for the big screen. Another project featuring the eyepatch-wearing Nick Fury is in development.

And fans can only hope The Avengers get the same treatment as 20th Century Fox has done for the X-Men movies.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.