LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2016 – FOX channels outside the U.S. have picked up worldwide rights to the FX Productions and Marvel Television series Legion. The series is slated for an early 2017 day & date premiere in more than 125 countries including in the U.S. where it will premiere on FX Networks. The FX Networks first season order was announced last week.
Created by Noah Hawley and set in the universe of Marvel’s X-Men franchise, Legion joins Fox’s growing roster of global, simultaneous launches, a staple of the group’s international programming and marketing strategy for its most viral, high-profile series, such as The Walking Dead, Outcast and Wayward Pines. Fox networks are among the world’s most widely distributed entertainment destinations, available in over 125 countries and to over 250 million homes outside the U.S.
Fox Networks Group Chairman and CEO Peter Rice said: “Legion brings the X-Men universe to life, as a character driven, serialized TV show, in a truly amazing new way, and we’re pleased that X-Men fans will have the opportunity to see it simultaneously in the 125 countries where Fox is available.”
“FX is thrilled to collaborate with our international partners to bring Legion to audiences worldwide and the day-and-date delivery will make this a truly global event,” said Eric Schrier, President of Original Programming, FX Networks and FX Productions. “With the universal appeal of the X-Men franchise, fans will be amazed with the artistry and ambition that Noah Hawley and this extraordinary cast have brought to Legion.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with FOX Networks Group to launch Legion to a massive global audience,” said Executive Producer and Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb. “In our storytelling, it is imperative to us that we’re creating characters and a universe that resonates with people around the world and we are so proud to introduce this cast of characters to fans everywhere.”
Legion is the story of a troubled young man who may be more than human. It introduces the story of David Haller, who since he was a teenager, has struggled with mental illness. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, David has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for years. But after a strange encounter with a fellow patient, he’s confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees might be real.
Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Rachel Keller (Fargo), Jean Smart (Fargo), Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Jeremie Harris (A Walk Among the Tombstones), Amber Midthunder (Hell or High Water), Katie Aselton (The League) and Bill Irwin (Interstellar) star in Legion. Noah Hawley (Fargo) will serve as an Executive Producer along with Lauren Shuler Donner (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Deadpool), Bryan Singer (X-Men: Apocalypse, Superman Returns), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Martian), Jeph Loeb (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s Jessica Jones), Jim Chory (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s Jessica Jones) and John Cameron (Fargo, The Big Lebowski). Legion is the latest project from Hawley and Cameron, two of the Executive Producers of the Emmy® and Golden Globe® -winning FX limited series Fargo.
Production on the eight-episode first season will begin this summer in Vancouver and the new series from FX Productions and Marvel Television will debut on globally in early 2017. FXP will be handling the physical production. Fox Networks Group’s sales arm will be handling distribution to third parties.
ABOUT FOX NETWORKS GROUP
Fox Networks Group (FNG) is a primary operating unit of 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ:FOXA). FNG consists of Fox Television Group, which includes Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television; Fox Cable Networks, which includes FX Networks; Fox Sports Media Group, National Geographic Partners, and Fox Networks Group Europe, Asia and Latin America. Together these units create, program and distribute some of the world’s most popular entertainment, sports and nonfiction programming.
ABOUT FX PRODUCTIONS
FX Productions (FXP) produces FX’s acclaimed hit drama series The Strain; the upcoming limited series Trust; the comedy series Louie, Archer and Baskets, and the upcoming Better Things and Atlanta, and the FXX comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, You’re the Worst and Man Seeking Woman. FXP co-produces the drama series The Americans, Tyrant and the upcoming Taboo; the limited series Fargo and American Crime Story; and the comedy series Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.
ABOUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2016 MARVEL
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