Spike TV Brings 'Blade' to Television In June 2006

Network's First Original Scripted Offering Produced by New Line Television; Based on Marvel Entertainment's Cult Super Hero

Penned by 'Blade' Screenplay Writer David S. Goyer and Comic Book Author Geoff Johns Directed by Peter O'Fallon

Kirk 'Sticky' Jones Cast In Leading Role Of 'Blade'

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 11 -- Spike TV is set to bring "Blade," one of Hollywood's most successful theatrical franchises, to television. The "Blade" trilogy, which has earned more than $400 million worldwide, will be adapted into a two-hour original drama that marks the network's first foray into scripted entertainment. Produced by New Line Television, "Blade" premieres on Spike TV in June 2006.

"'Blade' is perfectly suited for Spike TV and its male viewers," says Pancho Mansfield, Executive Vice President, Original Programming at Spike TV. "The new "Blade" promises to capture what men want to see: thrilling action and effects combined with an intelligent and highly creative story."

David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplays for the "Blade" trilogy as well as "Batman Begins," serves as executive producer and co-wrote the script with popular comic book author Geoff Johns. Peter O'Fallon (Suicide Kings, Eureka, American Gothic) serves as director.

Spike TV's "Blade" focuses on Marvel's eponymous immortal warrior of the same name fighting a shadowy underworld of vampires who want to destroy the human race. The title character is a half-man, half-vampire who uses his incredible powers and skills to fearlessly battle the demonic creatures of the night in a blood-drenched crusade to prevent the ascendance of vampires over mankind.

Kirk "Sticky" Jones ("Over There") has been cast in the leading role of "Blade." Jill Wagner ("Monk"), Neil Jackson ("Stargate SG-1"), Nelson Lee ("Traffic," the TV mini-series) and Jessica Gower ("Blurred") round out the cast for the tele-picture.

Bill McGoldrick, Vice President, Original Programming and Lisa Ullmann, Director of Original Programming, are executives responsible for production at Spike TV. Avi Arad, President and CEO of Marvel Studios, Ari Arad, Executive Vice President, Marvel Studios, Jim Rosenthal and Jon Kroll of New Line Television will serve as executive producers.

New Line Television is a division of New Line Cinema (http://www.newline.com), the most successful independent film company in the world. The division develops, produces and distributes TV projects for the broadcast networks, cable and first-run syndication, as well as distributes New Line feature films across the television landscape. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, New Line Cinema has divisions devoted to home entertainment, music, theater, merchandising and international. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc.

With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. -- formerly known as Marvel Enterprises, Inc. -- is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.

Spike TV is available in more than 89 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com http://www.newline.com