From Comics Continuum: (edited for brevity)

MARVEL DEALS WITH PARAMOUNT, SETTLES WITH STAN LEE
In addition to its first quarter earnings, Marvel Enterprises on Thursday announced a distribution deal with Paramount Pictures and the settlement of all outstanding litigation with Stan Lee.

Under the new deal, Paramount will distribute a slate of feature films to be produced by Marvel. Marvel also announced a new, non-recourse financing facility to be provided by Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. that will allow the company to produce its own slate of feature films.

........The distribution agreement between Paramount and Marvel specifies that Marvel may deliver up to 10 films to Paramount over an eight-year period, with the first titles including Captain America and Nick Fury. Marvel's budgets for each film may range from $45 million to $180 million. The first picture is expected to be released in 2007 or 2008. Paramount will not contribute to production costs, although it will provide advance funding of promotion and advertising for the films.

.......Specific terms of the settlement with Lee were not disclosed. The settlement agreement covers the lawsuit filed by Lee in November 2002 in which Lee claimed entitlement, under an agreement with Marvel, to a participation in Marvel's profits from various sources, including the Spider-Man movies and other film and television productions that utilize Marvel characters. The settlement covers Lee's participation claim for both past and any potential future.


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The most interesting thing in this article is that we may get a Captain America movie in as little as 2-3 years. Dare I hope that they'll get it right this time?

I can hear the Paramount execs now:

"Hmmm.... looks like Rick Berman and Brannon Braga aren't doing anything these days. Let's give 'em the Marvel stuff to work with."

"William Hung IS Captain America!"

Actually, one of the parts I edited out said that Paramount is just the distributor. It reads as if Marvel will have full creative control, because they'll be spending the money to make the films. (It was such a long article that I just posted the high points.) Here's a link to the whole thing.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0504/28/index.htm

Maybe Diddy will translate and tell us what "non-recourse financing" is!

Marvel with creative control?? Imagine Quesada produces and Bendis directs with JMS consulting.......

I think I still have the movie poster for the 1990ish Captain America movie somewhere. I need to dig that up to be sure.

I wonder what properties they are planning to do under this deal and which they still need to do with Sony and other studios. I don't see Sony letting go of the Spider-Man franchise unless their deal was only for the two films.

I can see the movies making lame-brained changes in the characters, which will then be reflected in the comics. Just like the webs.

it's a type of financing where the borrower is not personally liable.

Wow! That's the type I need for my new car loan!

Me, too!! Where do I sign up?! ?

I always thought a young Howie Long would make a great Cap.

Besides being my favorite Marvel creation (and one of my all time faves period), I think it has huge potential as a franchise. Picture Raiders of the Lost Ark, with a more vicious Nazi villain (the Red Skull) and lots of drama.

Then as a cool little add on, AFTER the credits roll, an epilogue where Cap and Bucky "die".

Non comic fans would freak out.

Sequel set in the present, fish out of water etc. and what the hell has happened to this country.

Allen. You're hired. Report to Marvel on Monday.

Maybe we can finally get that Wesley Snipes Black Panther film they've talked about for years.....

I don't think he's regal enough

I always thought Dennis Haysbert would make an excellent Black Panther, especially with his deep voice and strong screen presence, but I suppose he's too old for the part now.

That's more like it. Or a younger Denzel.

And hopefully no hip hop crap.