This January, Marvel Studios and Lionsgate will release to DVD the latest title in the very successful Marvel Animated Features video series — THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, inspired by one of Marvel’s most popular Super Hero franchises. The third release of a multi-picture direct-to-DVD deal signed by the two companies, THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN follows on the heels of the enormously successful ULTIMATE AVENGERS: THE MOVIE and ULTIMATE AVENGERS 2: RISE OF THE PANTHER, which have sold more than 1.5 million units combined since debuting in February 2006, and currently rank among the top 10 children’s releases year-to-date according to Nielsen Videoscan (10/8/06). THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN is an origin story that follows billionaire inventor Tony Stark as he raises a long-buried city in China and awakens an unspeakable evil that only the armor-clad Iron Man(TM) can destroy in a battle of modern technology versus eastern mythology.
“Marvel fans are among the most loyal and fervent in existence and they are anxious for Iron Man to take the spotlight,” said Lionsgate President Steve Beeks. “The Marvel Animated Features have been so successful because they lived up to the expectations of these fans in both production quality and the experience they have come to expect with Marvel projects. We anticipate THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN to achieve similar critical and sales success as the feature will bring the superhero to life with a story that honors its comic book roots.”
“Iron Man is one of Marvel’s premier characters. Our animation team has done a terrific job bringing Tony Stark to life in this action-packed animated DVD feature,” added Marvel Studios President/COO, Michael Helfant.
Named after the comic books that made Tony Stark’s alter ego one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe, THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN will be available on DVD on January 23, 2007 for the suggested retail price of $19.98. The DVD features a “marvel-ous” host of bonus features including an alternate opening sequence, “The Origin of Iron Man” featurette, “The Hall of Iron Man Armor” featurette, a look at the upcoming Marvel Animated Feature, DR. STRANGE and more.
SYNOPSIS
Past and present collide in this epic adventure that reveals the origin of Iron Man. While raising the ruins of a long buried Chinese kingdom, billionaire inventor Tony Stark digs up far more than he bargained for. He unleashes an age-old prophecy that foretells the resurrection of the Mandarin, the emperor of China’s darkest and most violent dynasty. In order to confront the destructive force, Tony creates an armored suit infused with high-tech weaponry. To stop the evil that he himself has raised from the earth, Tony must become his greatest invention ever — Iron Man! The newly born champion must travel to the four corners of the earth to battle the Mandarin’s henchmen, the Elementals — four magical warriors who harness the power of the elements — earth, water, wind, and fire — with deadly chemistry. But is the Iron Knight, as he his known in the prophecy, strong enough to defy fate and turn back the malevolent forces hell-bent on earth’s destruction?
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*:
– Alternate Opening Sequence
– “The Origin of Iron Man” featurette
– “The Hall of Iron Man Armor” featurette
– A Look at upcoming Marvel Animated Feature Dr. Strange
– Trailer Gallery
*DVD Special Features subject to change