Marvel launching next-gen animation franchise 'Marvel Rising'; feature film in works for 2018

Marvel Entertainment has taken the wraps off Marvel Rising, what it’s dubbing a new multiplatform animation franchise featuring the next generation superheroes. It will feature the likes of Spider-Gwen and her new secret moniker Ghost-Spider along with fellow teen characters Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Quake, Patriot, America Chavez and Inferno.

The plan is to launch six four-minute digital shorts focused on Spider-Gwen beginning next year, followed by a feature-length animated film, Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors, to premiere later in 2018. The logline: When a threat no one could have expected bears down on the Marvel Universe, this ragtag, untrained band of teens have no choice but to rise together and prove to the world that sometimes the difference between a “hero” and “misfit” is just in the name.

Distribution partners were not announced.

The new franchise will feature a voice cast including Dove Cameron, Chloe Bennet, Tyler Posey, BooBoo Stewart, Kathreen Khavari, Milana Vayntrub, Cierra Ramirez, Kamil McFadden, Skai Jackson, Kim Raver, Ming-Na Wen, Steven Weber and Dee Bradley Baker.

“Marvel characters are so relatable because they live in our world and face the same challenges we do. So I’m very excited that our Marvel Rising team of heroes is so inclusive, reflecting characters with different backgrounds, particularly a set of strong female leads that our young audience can connect with,” said Cort Lane, Marvel SVP Animation & Family Entertainment, in today’s announcement.

Added Sana Amanat, Marvel Director of Content & Character Development: “This project is unlike anything we’ve done before — from featuring the rising and fan-favorite stars of the Marvel Universe, to a visually distinct animation style, this is a groundbreaking animated event. It’s an action-packed adventure, full of comedy, heart and powerful messages for every kind of Marvel fan.”

Related stories:

Get more from Deadline.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter