Spike TV Orders Pilot Based on Hit Action-Adventure Movie Franchise Inspired By Popular Marvel Super Hero 'Blade' from New Line Television

Spike TV Orders Pilot Based on Hit Action-Adventure Movie Franchise Inspired By Popular Marvel Super Hero 'Blade' from New Line Television

Original Scripted Special Set To Premiere in 2006

NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Spike TV will adapt the successful theatrical franchise BLADE, based on the cult favorite Marvel Super Hero, as a two-hour, action-adventure, television movie in early 2006. The announcement was made by Spike TV President Doug Herzog. BLADE is Herzog's first original scripted programming announcement since he took over the network earlier this year.

"The action-adventure genre is largely ignored in today's television landscape, and we know it is something that our male viewers really want," said Herzog. "Blade is a great movie franchise with an established brand that men already recognize and identify with."

BLADE is the unforgettable legend of an immortal warrior who battles a thriving underworld of vampires seeking to decimate the human race. Half man and half vampire, Blade uses his fierce powers and skills to fearlessly battle the demonic creatures of the night and carry on a blood-drenched crusade to prevent the ascendance of vampires over mankind. The blockbuster film starred actor Wesley Snipes and spawned two sequels. Combined, the films have earned more than $400 million worldwide.

BLADE will be produced by New Line Television and Marvel Studios. David Goyer is executive producer. He penned the three screenplays for the BLADE trilogy, and produced and directed the last installment of the franchise, Blade: Trinity.

With a library of over 5,000 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc., is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in four areas: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, publishing and toys (Toy Biz). Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, DVD/home video, video games and television based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including apparel, toys, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its publishing division, which continues to expand its leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property.

New Line Television (http://www.newline.com/) is a division of New Line Cinema, the leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical motion pictures. The division is responsible for the development, production and distribution of television projects for the broadcast networks, cable and first-run syndication, as well as the distribution of New Line feature films across the television landscape. New Line Cinema is a Time Warner Company.

Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 87 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B).

Marvel, Blade and the distinctive likeness thereof are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. http://www.marvel.com/. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.

Source: Spike TV

CONTACT: Robert Pini, +1-212-846-8074, robert.pini@spiketv.com, or Debra Fazio, +1-212-846-6240, debra.fazio@spiketv.com, both of Spike TV - NY; or Candice McDonough of New Line TV, +1-310-967-6991, candice.mcdonough@newline.com; or Jeffrey Klein of Dan Klores Communications (for Marvel), +1-212-685-4300, jeff_klein@dkcnews.com

Web site: http://www.spiketv.com/

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