Lionsgate, which has a long-standing relationship with Marvel Ent., has acquired the North American DVD and electronic distribution rights to the new animated TV series Wolverine & The X-Men. The 26-episode super-hero adventure is scheduled to debut on Nicktoons Network in January. No DVD release dates have been announced.
Co-produced by Marvel Ent., Toonz Ent., Singapore and First Serve International Ltd. in India, Wolverine & The X-Men revolves around the complex and mysterious leader of a group of super-powered mutants including Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Rogue and Mystique. There will also be special guest appearances from various other Marvel characters including The Hulk.
The animated super-hero action begins as an explosive event shatters the lives of the X-Men and takes away their mentor, Professor X. The beaten heroes, including Beast, Storm, Cyclops and Nightcrawler, walk away from it all but are given a rare glimpse into the future, seeing a world in utter ruin and ruled by giant destructive robots. They discover the world has spiraled out of control because the X-Men have given up. Now Wolverine must take the lead on the ultimate mission’to prevent the world’s destruction while fending off enemies Magneto and The Brotherhood.
In 2004, Lionsgate signed with Marvel to develop, produce and release original animated direct-to-video movies based on Marvel Comics properties. So far, the partnership has yielded four titles: Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, Doctor Strange and The Invincible Iron Man. A fifth, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow will hit retail on Sept. 2. Lionsgate also distributed the Marvel-based live-action theatrical feature The Punisher in 2004 and is set to distribute Punisher: War Zone later this year.
