All hail corporate synergy! Because Disney owns ABC and Marvel, next month the network will air a one-hour special, Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe, which "goes behind the scenes of the comic-media empire." It basically sounds like an hour-long commercial for their own product, but I doubt fanboys will mind. The special will provide 'a "sneak peek" of an undisclosed nature from next year’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron," as well as new footage from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy. There will also be some promotion of the deeply disappointing Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which will include footage from upcoming episodes.
Hit the jump for more. Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe will premiere Tuesday, March 18th at 8:00pm. Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens April 4th; Guardians of the Galaxy opens August 1st; and The Avengers: Age of Ultron opens May 1, 2015.
Per the press release, the special will give people a "front row seat to the inception of Marvel Studios, the record-breaking films, the cultural phenomenon, and further expansion of the universe by Marvel Television.” If this is a warts-and-all piece, it could be interesting. When you've been as successful as Marvel, you can afford to show you're weaknesses because all's well that ends well. But I assume this will be a solid hour of "Look how awesome we are!"
As for what they might be showing from The Avengers: Age of Ultron, they could show some behind-the-scenes footage of what they've been shooting Johannesburg, South Africa. Since none of the effects will probably be anywhere close to finished, I assume the best thing they could show us would be a first look at new characters Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).
Here's the press release:
MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT DEBUTS FIRST TELEVISION SPECIAL
“MARVEL STUDIOS: ASSEMBLING A UNIVERSE,” TUESDAY, MARCH 18 ON ABC
Viewers get an exclusive look inside the world of Marvel Studios in an all-new
ABC Primetime Special
Join stars from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, celebrity fans, filmmakers and pop culture icons for a world premiere primetime event on TUESDAY, MARCH 18 (8:00-9:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Marvel Studios has pioneered and broken box-office records around the world, creating a cinematic universe unlike any other in pop culture history through its blockbuster films. Beginning with “Iron Man” in 2008 and continuing today through “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” on ABC and the theatrical release of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” this April, the Marvel Cinematic Universe presents audiences with some of the most groundbreaking and dynamic storytelling that brings an unprecedented vision to the world of entertainment.
In this exclusive primetime documentary special, audiences will be taken further into the Marvel Cinematic Universe than ever before, offering viewers a front row seat to the inception of Marvel Studios, the record-breaking films, the cultural phenomenon, and further expansion of the universe by Marvel Television.
Marvel’s first television special documents the exciting story behind Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from all of the Marvel films, the Marvel One-Shots and “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Viewers will walk a clear path through this amazing and nuanced universe, featuring sneak peeks at the future of “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” on ABC, new footage from Marvel Studios upcoming theatrical releases, “Captain America: The Winter Solider” and “Guardians of The Galaxy,” and a sneak peek at the upcoming Marvel’s “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
“Marvel Studios: Assembling A Universe.” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.