Stan Lee to launch superhero franchise
LAS VEGAS (Hollywood Reporter) - Comic book legend Stan Lee, one of the forces behind Spider-Man and the X-Men, is helping to develop a new superhero property, "Legion of 5."
His production shingle POW! Entertainment has teamed up with Utah investment firm Brighton Partners and Vancouver-based producer Rainmaker Entertainment to turn the concept into a series of computer-animated films.
Details of the characters and story line are being kept under wraps.
Rainmaker CEO Warren Franklin reported that the partners are raising about $24 million to get things going. "We are hoping to develop a strong franchise with the characters," he said.
Plans call for Rainmaker to create the look of the characters as well as develop and produce the feature-length computer-animated film properties.
A cross-platform approach will include games, online and mobile releases. Merchandising is part of the plan as well.
Separately, Lee has set up three projects at Disney, which houses POW!: "Nick Ratchet," following the exploits of a private eye; "Blaze," an action adventure; and "Tigress" (working title), the story of a woman who starts getting tiger-like instincts.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
