Lions Gate Entertainment has inked a deal with comic book publisher Marvel Enterprises to develop, produce and distribute eight original animated DVD features based on Marvel characters. As announced May 25, production will begin immediately in 2D or 3D formats, with the first title released by Lions Gate in late 2005.

Specific titles and characters were not announced at press time. Lions Gate’s Montreal-based CineGroupe is among the possible production partners.

‘More than $2 billion in DVDs based on Marvel characters have been sold and Marvel’s animated television projects have been very successful, so this is a natural evolution for the company,’ says Avi Arad, chairman and CEO at Marvel Studios.

Previously, Lions Gate and Marvel cooperated on the action feature The Punisher, which by the end of May had grossed US$33 million. In early news, Lions Gate was granted licences to develop, produce and distribute theatrical versions of Iron Fist and Black Widow, and a sequel to The Punisher is already in the works.

Lions Gate CEO Jon Feltheimer says, ‘The Marvel Universe maintains an outstanding and loyal fan base that craves fresh material featuring Marvel’s superheroes. We’re confident that we can take Marvel’s extensive library of popular characters with compelling storylines and create action-packed, appealing, animated made-for-DVD movies.’