Scots comic creator snapped up by Netf lix
COMIC-BOOK writer Mark Millar has seen his publishing company snapped up by internet giant Netflix – the entertainment giant’s first buy-up – in a deal worth millions.
The 47-year-old Scots creator of Wanted, kick-Ass and kingsman – which were all adapted into Hollywood blockbusters – took to Twitter to tell fans about the big-money deal. He posted: ‘Biggest news of my life.’ Netflix will develop his work into a series of films, dramas and children’s shows which will only be available on the streaming service.
Accounts posted earlier this year for Millarworld Limited – which he runs with his wife, Lucy – show it had total assets of £1.6million. The financial details of the buy-up have been kept under wraps.
Millar, who previusly worked on Spider-Man and Superman books said: ‘This is only the third time in history a major comic book company has been purchased at this level.
‘I’m so in love with what Netflix is doing and excited by their plans. Netflix is the future and Millarworld couldn’t have a better home.’
Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer, said: ‘Mark is as close as you can get to a modern-day Stan Lee. We can’t wait to harness the creative power of Millarworld to Netflix and start a new era in global storytelling... We look forward to creating new Netflix Originals from existing franchises as well as new super-hero, anti-hero, fantasy, sci-fi and horror stories Mark and his team will continue to create.’
Millar – who married second wife Lucy Unwin last year – has working for DC Comics and Marvel, writing adventures for Superman, Batman, The Flash, Spider-Man and Wolverine.
It is a world away from his humble beginnings in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, and he has previously told how he struggled to get by after his parents died when he was a teenager.
He said: ‘The trappings of wealth don’t sit easily with me. I want my kids to have a normal life and play with the neighbours’ kids and go to a local school.’
A SCOTS comic book publisher has become the first company bought by Netflix.
In a move that could see the video streaming service take on established superhero film producers Marvel and DC Comics, it yesterday announced it had snapped up Glasgow-based Millarworld for an undisclosed sum.
The firm’s founder, Mark Millar, has worked on hit series such as the Avengers, Captain America, Kick-Ass and Wolverine, and said he was ‘still blinking’ after the announcement. The 47-year-old added: ‘Netflix is the future and we couldn’t be more thrilled to sell the business to them and buckle up for all the amazing movies and TV shows we plan to do together.’
Referring to the iconic team of superheroes, featuring Batman and Superman, the father of two added: ‘This feels like joining the Justice League.’
Netflix said it intended to bring characters owned by Millar’s company to life through films, TV series and children’s shows. The US firm is ramping up the amount of original content it is producing – spending £4.7bn this year alone.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s content chief, said: ‘We can’t wait to harness the creative power of Millarworld.’