Marvel Comics and Tsuburaya Productions of The Ultraman franchise have announced an exciting collaboration. The two companies are creating a crossover mini-series that will feature Ultraman alongside Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Captain Marvel. The preview image showcases the thrilling team-up of these iconic characters, promising an epic adventure for fans of both franchises. Currently, the release date for the Marvel Ultraman crossover is unknown.
Furthermore, Tsuburaya Fields Media & Pictures Entertainment, Inc. also made an announcement regarding the Ultraman licensing program. “Live Action Ultraman” has been rebranded from its initial launch in 2018. This is work towards encompassing all generations of the beloved live-action TV series.
With this new name, the program aims to provide expanded access to different Ultraman characters. This includes “over 50 different Ultras and 1,500 Kaiju.” With this expansion, different license options will be available across various categories, such as video games, costumes, and others.
The Ultraman Franchise: Other Projects in the Works
In addition to the licensing program, Tsuburaya Productions has revealed plans to release English-dubbed versions of the franchise’s shows this year. The beginning name will be Ultraman Z. The franchise’s YouTube Channel will primarily feature these English-dubbed versions for viewers to enjoy. They will also be on the Ultraman Connection website, allowing a wider audience to enjoy the iconic series.
On the entertainment front, Netflix and Tsuburaya Productions are collaborating on an upcoming Ultraman CG animated film for 2024. This will be the directorial debut of Shannon Tindle, known as an animator on Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings. John Aoshima will be serving as co-director.
The film credits Tsuburaya Productions and Industrial Light and Magic as the production companies for the film. Tindle is also co-writing the film with Marc Haimes. Tom Knott and Lisa Poole are credited as producer and co-producer, respectively.
The Ultraman franchise, launched by Tsuburaya Productions in 1966, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. With it, the franchise showed its enduring popularity and legacy. In recent years, the Ultraman franchise has expanded its reach through previous collaborations with Marvel Entertainment, resulting in new Ultraman stories released in the form of comics and graphic novels.
Additionally, Studio Khara’s Shin Ultraman film made its debut in Japan in May 2022, immediately claiming the top spot at the box office. The film’s success continued with its international screenings, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada, where it garnered positive responses and generated significant revenue.