Marvel fights to save Spider-Man and other superheroes

Fighting over superheroes

The battle between Marvel Entertainment and the Jack Kirby estate is bringing out each side’s inner Hulk.

The comic book publisher and movie producer, which was recently acquired by Walt Disney Co. in a $4-billion deal, has unleashed a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate the copyright termination claims made by the heirs to the iconic artist. It’s the latest in the fight over profits from lucrative superhero characters.

The suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan on Friday, against the Kirby heirs attempts to halt the family’s bid to reclaim the characters. It follows a series of letters from Kirby estate attorney Marc Toberoff in September notifying copyright holders and licensors of his client’s intent to terminate copyright to a slew of properties at various points in the coming decade (when they will, in the heirs’ view, become available). Those include the Hulk, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor and the Avengers.

Jack Kirby was instrumental in the creation and shaping of these characters, his family argues, and is thus entitled to profits. Disney has maintained that Kirby’s work was considered for-hire and that, therefore, his heirs are not owed any further profits.

Neither Toberoff nor Disney immediately returned calls seeking comment.

-- Steven Zeitchik Winners become Globe presenters

Kate Winslet, Jennifer Garner, Kiefer Sutherland and Cher will be among the presenters at this year’s Golden Globe Awards.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. says the actors -- all Golden Globe winners -- will hand out trophies at the 67th annual ceremony. They’ll join a cast of presenters that includes Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Jodie Foster and Sophia Loren.

Ricky Gervais will host the awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan 17.

-- associated press Pee-wee Herman keeps promise

When Pee-wee Herman announced in October his plans to move his stage show to Club Nokia in downtown L.A. from the Music Box at Fonda in Hollywood -- a decision that pushed back the opening of the show -- some fans erupted in anger. Reaching out to irate fans, Herman (a.k.a. actor Paul Reubens) then said that he wanted to meet with those who had exchanged their tickets. Now, it appears that Herman will make good on that promise.

In an e-mail being sent to Music Box ticket buyers who exchanged their seats, organizers of the “The Pee-wee Herman Show” -- a re-imagined version of his hit ‘80s stage show that begins Tuesday -- laid out directions on how they can meet the star.

The meet-and-greet with Herman is open only to those who exchanged their Music Box tickets for seats at Club Nokia.

-- David Ng Fox is no place for ‘Geniuses’

The little geniuses won’t be coming to Fox after all.

Fox announced Thursday that “Our Little Genius” won’t premiere on Wednesday because executive producer Mark Burnett (“Survivor”) doesn’t want the episodes to air.

“I recently discovered that there was an issue with how some information was relayed to contestants during the pre-production of ‘Our Little Genius,’ ” Burnett said in a statement released by Fox. “As a result, I am not comfortable delivering the episodes without reshooting them.”

The show, which gives preteen prodigies a chance to test their knowledge, has been under fire by some critics for its potential for harming children emotionally or psychologically.

Mark Burnett Productions will reshoot the episodes, but Fox has not decided whether it will air the series.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez Report: Koppel could return

Ted Koppel may soon return to ABC News -- this time during daylight hours.

The former “Nightline” host is being considered as a host of “This Week,” ABC’s Sunday morning political talk show. That’s according to two people with knowledge of the discussions who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to talk about them.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said several people are being talked to about “This Week.” He says no offers have been made or are imminent.

-- associated press