Want some crackers with that cheese? Giving parents of young children an all new reason to hate comic books, Feld Entertainment, Inc. (apparently some sort of "entertainment powerhouse," which must be nice) has announced a new partnership with Marvel Entertainment to create and tour live shows featuring Marvel characters.
From When Nerds Attack (a fun SDCC blog):
"Under the recently signed multi-year agreement, family-owned and operated Feld Entertainment will produce live Marvel touring events in the US and internationally. Launching in July 2014, a new production of Marvel character-based stories will be coupled with state-of-the-art special effects, pyrotechnics, aerial displays, martial arts and countless other show elements to bring audiences into the Marvel Universe. The production will embark on an 85-city North American tour before heading around the globe."
What do you think, geeks? Total nightmare shitshow that will ruin our favorite superheroes for another generation of would-be nerds or is this the next evolution in live entertainment, Homo Ice Capades Superior, if you will? (I won't.) The cynic in me, who's been proven right countless times, predicts new lows in tacky merchandising and bowlderizing complex characters for the under-12 crowd.
The dork I used to be, however, who pitched fits till his mom took him to Sesame Street Live! in Kansas City till he was far too old to enjoy the humans-in-muppet costumes' antics, is starting a separate savings account.
What's your take, geeks—Will the female superheroes be cheerleaders on wires while the guys do all the inane leaping and flipping stunts? Unforgivable "acting"? Can laser light-shows and sound effects do justice to the elementary forces and cosmic powers our heroes sling around?
Will Julie Taymor be brought in to consult? SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!
Two Entertainment Powerhouses Will Bring the Marvel Universe Alive With New Global Touring Productions VIENNA, Va., March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Feld Entertainment, Inc. and Marvel Entertainment, LLC announced today a groundbreaking agreement, which allows the companies to produce an unprecedented new show that brings Marvel characters and stories to life in live-action arena spectaculars.
