actualité

PARIS, 6 December, 2006 - Sales of Marvel Entertainment's new animated series, "Fantastic Four," continue to grow worldwide after a highly successful launch on France's M6, combined with excitement around next year's much-anticipated sequel to the 2005 smash-hit feature film based on Marvel's renowned Super Hero franchise. Taffy Entertainment, which distributes the show outside the U.S., announced today a raft of new deals with broadcasters worldwide.

"Fantastic Four" the animated series, was recently picked up by YTV and Vrak TV in Canada, Cartoon Network Germany, TV Catalunya and ETB in Spain, TVN Chile, Club RTL in Belgium, MBC in the Middle East, TV12 in Singapore, NTV 7 in Malaysia and Alter Channel in Greece. It will also be seen on Cartoon Network in Europe, Latin America and Asia in 2007. These broadcasters join M6 in France, where the show has garnered an average of 600,000 viewers and has consistently rated high on M6 children's slots.

"The response to 'Fantastic Four' has completely met our expectations," said Natalie Altmann at M6. "It's quite clearly one of those timeless and classic titles that multiple generations have come to love."

"We are extremely pleased with the response from broadcasters worldwide," explains Lionel Marty, President of Sales and Distribution for Taffy Entertainment. "The enormous success of the show, particularly in France on M6, is indisputable evidence that the characters and storylines translate well in every country and in any language where kids love superheroes."

Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch and The Thing will also be featured in a new video game, toy line, DVD release and other officially licensed merchandise in 2007, as licensees clamor for a piece of the "Fantastic Four" pie.

Michael Helfant, President and COO, Marvel Studios, added "Since the film premiered in 2005, interest in the ‘Fantastic Four' brand has continued to grow exponentially. We're very proud of this animated series, and we're looking at 2007 as another breakout year for the brand, particularly as word-of-mouth grows for the upcoming feature film sequel scheduled to hit theaters in June."

-more-


"Fantastic Four," co-produced by MoonScoop Productions, Marvel Comics and Cartoon Network Europe, is based on one of Marvel's most prominent comic book families. The colorful stories bring together a brilliant scientist, Dr. Reed Richards, his best friend, Ben Grimm, Susan Storm and her fiery-tempered kid brother, Johnny Storm. After braving the unknown terrors of outer space, they were changed by cosmic rays into something more than merely human, becoming Mr. Fantastic, The Thing, The Invisible Girl and The Human Torch.…and the world was never the same again! Together they fight the evil of the universe and battle the ultimate villain, Dr. Doom.

About Marvel Entertainment
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) 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. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

About Taffy Entertainment
Taffy Entertainment (www.TaffyEntertainment.com) is a leading worldwide distribution, brand management and entertainment company representing brands from some of the largest animation producers across the globe. This includes the prolific Mike Young Productions; MoonScoop Productions, the top producer of animation in Europe; and select properties from third parties. Taffy's library for distribution and/or consumer products includes the Emmy Award-winning "Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks," "ToddWorld," "Pet Alien," "Titeuf" (TooTuff), "Growing Up Creepie," "Mix Master," "Fantastic Four," "Code Lyoko" and "Casper," among many others. With offices in Paris, Los Angeles, London and Shanghai, the company has fully-integrated production, distribution, licensing, merchandising and marketing facilities. It also has a library that includes over 3,000 half hours of animation, encompassing some of the most recognizable worldwide brands and best-loved animated creations in the global television market. The company also distributes to leading broadcasters in 160 countries around the world.

CONTACT:
USA: Marc Grossmann, Taffy Entertainment: Tel + 1 (818) 227-8966
Email: mgrossmann@taffyentertainment.com
UK: Aimee Norman at Blueprint PR Ltd.: Tel + 44 (0) 20 7354 9813
Email: aimee@blueprintpr.co.uk
France: Claire Regnaut at ACE France.: Tel +33 (0) 1 58 56 20 70
Email: Claire@ACEFrance.fr

Fantastic Four: TM & © 2006 Marvel. Animation: ©Marvel and Moonscoop. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.