Marvel's Avi Arad and Angry Films' Don Murphy to Produce

    LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- New Line Cinema and Marvel Studios, a
division of leading global entertainment company Marvel Enterprises
(NYSE: MVL), have signed Nick Cassavetes ("The Notebook," "John Q") to direct
the highly-anticipated big screen adaptation of "Iron Man," based on the
legendary Marvel Super Hero.  The film is scheduled to be a 2006 tentpole
release.
    The project, which is being produced by Marvel Studios' CEO Avi Arad
("Spider-Man," "X-Men") and Angry Films' Don Murphy, is based on a script by
Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and David Hayter.  The studios will begin
casting immediately.
    "This is an ideal situation because Nick is a tremendous talent with a
passion for the material, and we have had such incredible success working with
both him and Marvel in the past," said New Line production president Toby
Emmerich.  "Teaming up again to launch a franchise as promising as 'Iron Man'
is very exciting."
    Arad added, "Being able to work with such an acclaimed writer/director as
Nick Cassavetes to bring one of our pre-eminent Super Hero franchises to the
big screen is really special.  Nick grew up reading 'Iron Man' and personally
loves the character.  He shares our vision of how to bring 'Iron Man' to life
in a way that will appeal to a mass audience as well as the core Super Hero
fan base.  This deal with Nick marks the perfect way to launch our second big
Marvel franchise with New Line, a studio that we have enjoyed a great
relationship with in building the Blade character into a Hollywood
heavyweight."
    Based on the long-running Marvel comic book series, "Iron Man" tells the
story of Tony Stark, the enigmatic heir to the Stark Enterprises fortune.  A
driven inventor and executive who seems to have it all, Tony is haunted by his
dark side.  Though he commands his empire by day, by night he secretly becomes
"Iron Man," the living embodiment of decades of defense spending and
innovation.  Strapping on billions of dollars worth of state-of-the-art armor
and weaponry each night to fight crime, terrorism and corporate espionage,
Tony begins to crack under the strain of his fractured lifestyle and must
ultimately confront the one enemy he can never beat -- himself.
    "Iron Man" marks the continuation of New Line's successful relationship
with Marvel, which was initiated with the studio's hit adaptation of "Blade"
in 1998.  New Line built on the initial film's success with the release of
"Blade II" in 2002, and is set to release the third installment of the
franchise, "Blade: Trinity," on Dec. 8.
    Cassavetes' relationship with New Line has also proved to be a profitable
one in recent years.  His last directorial effort, "The Notebook," was one of
this summer's biggest hits at the box office.  He also directed the 2002 hit
film "John Q" for the studio and is currently in production on the drama
"Alpha Dog," which features an ensemble cast including Bruce Willis, Justin
Timberlake, Sharon Stone and Emile Hirsch.
    Marvel has an impressive track record when it comes to translating its
renowned Super Heroes to the big screen with such blockbusters as "Spider-
Man," "Spider-Man 2," "X-Men," "X-Men 2," "Daredevil," and "The Hulk."  The
company is also currently in production on the much buzzed about adaptation of
"Fantastic Four," which hits theaters July 1, 2005.
    Emmerich is overseeing "Iron Man" for New Line along with the studio's
senior vp production Stokely Chaffin, vp George Waud and creative executive
Jeff Katz.  Spearheading the production for Marvel Studios are Kevin Feige and
Ari Arad.

    About New Line Cinema Corporation:
    New Line Cinema is the oldest and most successful independent film company
in the world.  In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of
theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted
to home entertainment, television, music, theater, licensing, merchandising
and international marketing and distribution.  New Line is a pioneer in
franchise filmmaking and its Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is
the most successful film franchise in history.  Together with its subsidiary,
Fine Line Features, New Line is a unit of Time Warner.

    About Marvel Enterprises
    With a library of over 5,000 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises,
Inc. (NYSE: MVL), 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.

    Iron Man, Tony Stark, Spider-Man, X-Men, Daredevil, The Hulk and Fantastic
Four, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Marvel
Characters, Inc., and are used with permission.  (C) 2004 Marvel Characters,
Inc.  All rights reserved. http://www.marvel.com

    Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.

    For further information, please contact Candice McDonough of New Line
Cinema, +1-310-967-6991.

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