Marvel and ESPN in First Joint Venture on Two Upcoming "1 of 1" Entertainment Projects

Marvel Entertainment and ESPN Films have jointly announced at Wednesday's winter Television Critics Association (TCA) panel session two new projects that will combine ESPN's non-fiction storytelling style with Marvel comic-book art and animation: the feature-length documentary titled "1 of 1 - Genesis" and a short film series that will be called "1 of 1 - Origins."

The "1 of 1 - Genesis" documentary film is now available on Digital HD through select digital retailers. It explores the connections between Marvel's mightiest superheroes and the world's greatest athletes while attempting to answer the age-old question of nature vs. nurture:  Are top athletes born or created?

The "1 of 1 - Origins" short film series will launch this summer on SportsCenter and across ESPN's digital platforms simultaneously. Each short film focuses on a single athlete, all of whom have, like all Marvel superheroes, a defining story of the origin of their powers in their ascent to greatness in their sport.

Directed by Eric Drath, produced by Dan Silver, and executive produced by Tracy McAndrew and John Cerilli, both the "1 of 1 - Genesis" documentary and the "1 of 1 - Origins" film series contain all-new interviews with some of the top athletes in the world, including Russell Wilson, Alex Morgan, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Henrik Lundqvist, Tim Howard, Colin Kaepernick, Brandi Chastain, Danica Patrick, Cal Ripken, Jr., Albert Pujols, Tony Hawk, and Manny Pacquiao, along with known experts in related fields like New York Times best-selling author David Epstein, professor and psychologist Ellen Winner, and of course by such Marvel luminaries as Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada and Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso, and ESPN2's His & Hers hosts Michael Smith and Jemele Hill, among others.

Regarding the partnership in the "1 of 1" projects, Marvel Digital Media Group's Content & Programming vice president John Cerilli said: "We at Marvel have captivated audiences with our superheroes for over 75 years, yet we continue to be astounded by the uncanny abilities of the world's top athletes. Combining ESPN Films' unparalleled approach to sports film making with the resonant themes and aesthetics of Marvel has allowed us to assemble a film that will astonish and amaze fans of both worlds."

Connor Schell, VP and executive producer at ESPN Films and Original Content added: "In many ways, athletes are blessed in their chosen fields with super-human 'powers' much like those of some of the great Marvel Super Heroes. Like those characters, every great athlete has the moment where they learn to harness, develop and use their unique abilities to achieve. Eric Drath and his team have done a fantastic job at capturing and bringing to life those origin stories."

Dan Silver of ESPN Films, according to USA Today, also told writers at the TCA winter press tour on Wednesday, "We would try to find the moment where the radioactive spider bit Carmelo Anthony."