Valiant Entertainment has a library of over 2000 characters, including fan-favourites like X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, and Archer & Armstrong. There's been talk of some of these being brought to the big screen for some time, but DMG Entertainment (who co-financed Iron Man 3) has now partnered up with the comic book publisher for a planned slate of films, TV shows, publishing, and licensing that will culminate in the big screen debut of Valiant’s universe of characters in theaters around the world. Current Valiant feature films in development include the previously announced Bloodshot from Sony Pictures in partnership with Original Film; Shadowman in partnership with the Sean Daniel Company from a script by J. Michael Straczynski; and Archer & Armstrong, also with the Sean Daniel Company from a script by BenDavid Grabinski; among others. Valiant has apparently also already begun development on several television projects.
"Global markets, like China, offer the greatest opportunities for monetization from merchandising, licensing, as well as revenues from film and television properties. Comic superheroes are the most lucrative and sought after IP for movie franchises, so taking a stake in the last independent massive comic universe is a strategic investment for DMG that will produce movies and TV that are both appealing and relevant to a global audience," said DMG CEO Dan Mintz. "We are excited by the opportunity to bring these incredibly engaging characters and their stories to the big screen."
"Valiant’s iconic stable of intellectual property and world class management team coupled with DMG’s unmatched skill with entertainment brand building in China make a formidable partnership," said Valiant Chairman Peter Cuneo. "We will look forward to introducing some of the most popular superheroes of all time to the world’s fastest growing market across all media forms."
"Audiences in China and the rest of the world are hungry for heroic stories that they can more easily relate to…and with the international box office accounting for the biggest piece of the total gross, the time is right for a truly international superhero franchise. DMG will bring its unique global perspective to the task of transforming the Valiant Universe into the first international comic-movie universe," added DMG President Wu Bing. Will they be able to compete with Marvel and DC? That remains to be seen...
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