Next January is a big month for Marvel superhero Iron Man. Not only does the live-action movie starring Robert Downey Jr. will start production at the time, Lionsgate will release its animated The Invincible Iron Man on January 23. This marks the third made-for-video title produced by Marvel and Lionsgate.
The original animated adventure centers on the aftermath of what happens when billionaire inventor Tony Stark uncovers a long-buried city in China and unleashes a dark force of evil that can only be destroyed by Iron Man. Created by Marvel Studios’ animation team, the DVD release will include several hours of bonus material, including an alternate opening sequence, several featurettes, including one on the original Iron Man, and a preview of the next animated offering Dr. Strange. Mark Worden voices the central character.
Lionsgate and Marvel forged a partnership in July 2004 to create and distribute ten animated directo-to-DVD feature films, based on Marvel Comics characters. The first animated title Ultimate Avengers’The Movie was released last February, followed by Ultimate Avengers 2 in August. The DVDs have performed remarkably well, and to date, have sold over 1.5 million units and show up on the top ten list of children’s releases in 2006.
Iron Man was created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck and Jack Kirby for Marvel’s Tales of Suspense in March 1963. He has appeared in several animated TV shows, including his own toon in 1966 (voiced by William H. Marshall) and 1994 (voiced by Robert Hayes). He has also made appearances on animated series such as Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Avengers, Spider-Man and Hulk.
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