The Marvel Experience Tour to Hit U.S. in 2014

Ever wanted to interact with Iron Man in person? Now’s your chance.

Marvel and Hero Ventures, an L.A.-based entertainment company, are teaming to bring a $30 million themed interactive tour called The Marvel Experience to the U.S. with a 4D motion ride serving as its centerpiece, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The Marvel Experience, slated to kick off in spring 2014, can be seen as a Con, with aspects of a theme park (i.e. the 4D motion ride) thrown in. Original 3D animated features will also debut, along with digitally-projected animation, motion-comic origin stories, virtual reality/holographic simulations, merchandise and integrated social media.

The experience itself will sit under a 50,000-sq. ft. dome that will travel to 29-24 cities; it will stay in each city for several days. Locations and a list of U.S. cities taking part will be announced in weeks to come.

There are already plans to bring The Marvel Experience around for a second U.S. leg, wherein a new themed experience will be set up inside — a “sequel,” of sorts.

Hero Ventures founders Rick Licht and Doug Schaer have brought on former Live Nation chairman Michael Cohl and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark co-producer/PRG founder Jeremiah “Jere” Harris as lead producers, with Hero Ventures partner Jason Rosen.

The Marvel Experience has also attracted a slew of industry heavyweights to invest, including New York Giants owner Steve Tisch, Shamrock Holdings’ Roy P. Disney and WWE. Other investors include Guess co-founders Maurice and Paul Marciano, Vista Equity Partners’ Brian Sheth, Enlight Media’s Ross Hilton and others.

Hero Ventures’ board of directors include Tisch, Stanley Gold, Maurice Marciano, Basil V. DeVito Jr., David B. Miller, Licht, Schaer, Cohl and Harris.

“Hero Ventures is developing a themed entertainment concept that we expect will be a transformative, traveling destination that will deliver to fans and families an exciting, groundbreaking and unique experience,” says Marvel’s vp business development Sean Haran.

Added Hero Ventures CEO Rick Licht: “The dynamic creative elements we’re developing are going to enable anyone to feel like a superhero like Spider-Man or Captain America. We couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with Marvel. Kids and adults are going to be absolutely inspired, empowered and thrilled from start to finish, with an immersive experience that is not just memorable, but unforgettable!”

Though there are currently no plans to bring The Marvel Experience to international waters, how it performs in the U.S. could serve as a test ground.

Ticket information will be available in coming weeks.

The news comes after a Thor attraction was announced on the Disney Parks blog, promising Disneyland visitors will “come face-to-face with the Mighty Avenger, Thor.” Disneyland currently has the Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries special exhibit.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
Twitter: @insidetheutbe