In an unprecedented move, Netflix announced today the acquisition of Millarworld, the comic book company founded in 2004 by Mark Millar, a former comic book writer for Marvel. Iconic Millarworld characters had recently hit the movie theaters, with titles such as Wanted, Kick-Ass and Kingsman. The aim of the new partnership, according to a press statement by Netflix, is to join talents to launch new original series and movies with Millar’s characters.
The new productions will be available exclusively for Netflix’s subscribers.
The California-based streaming company confirmed that the acquisition was its first ever, and is part of an effort to bring in new creators to work in close liaison with Netflix. “Mark is as close as you can get to a modern day Stan Lee,” said an excited Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos.
Mark Millar is also excited about the opportunity to work with Netflix, who also purchased Millarworld’s intellectual property, including the rights of its former stories and character franchises. “Netflix is the future and Millarworld couldn’t have a better home.”, Said Mark Millar.
The figures of the purchase were not revealed.
One billion dollars in global box-office
During his years at Marvel, Mark Millar, a 47 year –old Scottish, created stories that inspired franchises such as Avengers, Capitan America Civil War, and Logan, which together generated more than $ 3 billion in global box office. Working by his own at Millarworld, the comic creator has already managed to launch successful character franchises. Released by Hollywood major studios, Wanted, Kick-Ass and Kingsman grossed over $ 1 billion in the box office and left a legion of fans eagerly waiting for next episodes.
Mark Millar managed Millarworld along with his wife, Lucy Millar. His company entirely owned the characters he created and the stars it partnered with for the projects that hit the movie theaters with great success.
He also wrote several successful books. Times Magazine named one of them ‘Ultimates”, as the comic book of the decade, while Superman Opus keeps the title of the best-selling comic book in history.
Netflix: indisputable leadership in paid streaming
With a subscriber base of 104 million people worldwide, the Netflix platform leads the paid streaming market. According to the company, present in 190 countries, subscribers consume 125 million hours a day of streaming content. The company offers a wide range of contents including original series, films, and documentaries, besides third party contents, such as Hollywood studios' films. Founded in 1997, it is a public listed company on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Last year its revenue was of $ 8.83 billion, according to Wikipedia.