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Spike TV Orders Pilot Based on Hit Action-Adventure Movie Franchise Inspired By Popular Marvel Super Hero 'Blade' from New Line Television
Original Scripted Special Set To Premiere in 2006
NEW YORK, May 5 -- Spike TV will adapt the successful
theatrical franchise BLADE, based on the cult favorite Marvel Super Hero, as a
two-hour, action-adventure, television movie in early 2006. The announcement
was made by Spike TV President Doug Herzog. BLADE is Herzog's first original
scripted programming announcement since he took over the network earlier this
year.
"The action-adventure genre is largely ignored in today's television
landscape, and we know it is something that our male viewers really want,"
said Herzog. "Blade is a great movie franchise with an established brand that
men already recognize and identify with."
BLADE is the unforgettable legend of an immortal warrior who battles a
thriving underworld of vampires seeking to decimate the human race. Half man
and half vampire, Blade uses his fierce powers and skills to fearlessly battle
the demonic creatures of the night and carry on a blood-drenched crusade to
prevent the ascendance of vampires over mankind. The blockbuster film starred
actor Wesley Snipes and spawned two sequels. Combined, the films have earned
more than $400 million worldwide.
BLADE will be produced by New Line Television and Marvel Studios. David
Goyer is executive producer. He penned the three screenplays for the BLADE
trilogy, and produced and directed the last installment of the franchise,
Blade: Trinity.
With a library of over 5,000 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises,
Inc., is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment
companies. Marvel's operations are focused in four areas: entertainment
(Marvel Studios), licensing, publishing and toys (Toy Biz). Marvel
facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films,
DVD/home video, video games and television based on its characters and also
licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and
services including apparel, toys, collectibles, snack foods and promotions.
Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its publishing division,
which continues to expand its leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide
while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property.
New Line Television (http://www.newline.com) is a division of New Line
Cinema, the leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical motion
pictures. The division is responsible for the development, production and
distribution of television projects for the broadcast networks, cable and
first-run syndication, as well as the distribution of New Line feature films
across the television landscape. New Line Cinema is a Time Warner Company.
Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 87 million homes and
is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom
International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
Marvel, Blade and the distinctive likeness thereof are trademarks of
Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. http://www.marvel.com.
Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com
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