Paramount Signs Deal With Marvel Studios

Marvel announced a massive releasing partnership with Paramount, the studio that shepherded the aforementioned Iron Man into theaters. Over the next eight years, Marvel could deliver ten movies to the studio, including the previously announced Iron Man sequel (May 7th, 2010), Thor (July 16th, 2010), The First Avenger: Captain America (May 6th 2011) and The Avengers (July 15th, 2011). You read the release dates of the latter two films correctly; they'll be released within six weeks of each other.

Marvel Studios has renegotiated its distribution pact with Par, under which it will now pay out 8% of its film grosses to the studio for its next five films, rather than the 10% it previously ponied up for "Iron Man."

Marvel successfully launched its film division this year with the release of "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk," through Universal; the pics went on to earn a combined $824 million worldwide this summer.

PC manufacturer Dell and Paramount Pictures are opening a new front in digital distribution with an offering allowing consumers to order "Iron Man" preloaded into newly purchased computers.

For now, Paramount is the only studio that has signed on, and "Iron Man" -- which will be available accompanied by exclusive bonus footage for $20 beginning Tuesday (September 30), the same day as its DVD release -- is the only film being offered.

The offering is the first step Dell is taking toward setting up a broader digital content storefront that could create significant competition for Apple's dominant iTunes Store.