Michael Helfant joins Marvel Ent. Inc. as president/coo of the company's Marvel Studios division based in Beverly Hills.
Avi Arad, chairman/ceo of Marvel Studios, commented, "Marvel Studios has a strong, dynamic and active base of entertainment projects being developed for release well into the next decade. Each of our projects is aimed at further increasing the value of the Marvel brand on a global basis. I look forward to working with Michael and am confident that his experience, knowledge and industry relationships will prove instrumental to the success of our entertainment production activities, while enabling me and my creative team to focus on what we do best."
Helfant added, "I am very excited to join Avi and the rest of the Marvel team as they expand their entertainment operations. Marvel is a great company and a powerful brand, with unique assets, tremendous creativity and global reach. Going forward, the core objective remains clear: continue to develop and create great entertainment and profitable, enduring franchises from the Marvel Universe."
In September, Marvel completed a $525 million non-recourse debt financing for the production of up to 10 films based on its famous characters. Script development for several of these films is already underway under the direction of Arad and the Marvel Studios production team and the first film is anticipated for release in 2008. In addition, Marvel Studios is working closely on Marvel character-based films it has licensed to other major studios. Marvel Studios is also actively working with Lion's Gate on the production of direct-to-DVD animated full length films, the first of which is slated for release in 2006, and is also involved in the production of animated and live-action television projects which are being developed by third parties.
Helfant has more than 22 years of entertainment industry experience. Most recently he served as Beacon Pictures' coo, responsible for overseeing all of the business operations of the independent motion picture production company whose recent feature film releases include OPEN RANGE, RAISING HELEN and LADDER 49. Prior to joining Beacon, Helfant was sevp of Dimension Films from 1999-2002. His responsibilities included overseeing feature film administration, new media, overall talent deals, international co-productions and tax/subsidiary arrangements. Helfant's production credits include: exec producer of VERY BAD THINGS, co-producer of THE ASSOCIATE and co-exec producer of KAZAAM.
He has also held a number of other senior management positions at entertainment companies including evp, head of business operations and acquisitions at Interscope Communications Inc. and svp of Sovereign Pictures Inc. Helfant started his career as an entertainment attorney with Loeb & Loeb in Century City, specializing in a broad range of entertainment business transactions.
With a library of more than 5,000 proprietary characters, Marvel Ent. Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in three areas: entertainment and licensing, comicbook publishing and toys (Toy Biz). Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, DVD/home video, videogames and television based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its publishing segment that continues to expand its leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
