Amazon Studios has signed an exclusive first look deal with former Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada, the company announced on Thursday.
Under the deal, Quesada will be developing series and films for Prime Video, with a particular focus on adapting existing and new comic book IP.
“Joe has been a singular and influential creative force guiding some of the most iconic storytelling that exists today,” Nick Pepper, Head of US SVOD Wholly Owned Development, Amazon Studios, said in a statement. “The opportunity to bring his expertise and vision to Amazon Studios presents a world of possibilities and we can’t wait to see what he brings to life next.”
Quesada added: “I can’t begin to express just how thrilled I am to be joining the Amazon Studios family. From the moment Nick Pepper, Matt King, and the team approached me, it was clear we spoke the same language and shared the same creative goals. What was also clear is that they’re creating a collaborative environment and unique methodology that I’m surprised no one has yet thought to implement, but I’m certain will be quickly imitated.”
Quesada is a comic book legend credited with rescuing Marvel Comics from bankruptcy, both financially and creatively, during his 24 years at the company. As editor-in-chief, Quesada helped produce many of Marvel’s most iconic storylines—including “Civil War,” “Age of Ultron” and “Guardians of the Galaxy”—years before they were adapted for the big screen.
He was the first person of Latin descent (as well as first artist) to serve in this position. As the bilingual son of Cuban immigrant parents, diversity within the Marvel universe was a major priority for Quesada.
Both Ms. Marvel, a Muslim-American teenage hero, and Miles Morales, the biracial Spider-Man at the heart of the acclaimed animated movie “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” were developed as characters under his watch.
Later, as Marvel Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer, Quesada was an integral part of the creative committee for the first batch of Marvel Studios movies and served as executive producer on Marvel television series, including “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones” and “Luke Cage” for Netflix and “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” for ABC.
Quesada made his directorial debut on the “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” web series “Slingshot,” for which he won a Webby Award. Quesada also won a Peabody, an Emmy, Ringos, a Saturn, an Inkpot and several Wizard Awards, among many other honors for his creative contributions to comics and beyond.
Most recently, he received the 2021 Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award.
Quesada is represented by agency RBEL and attorney Lichter, Grossman, Nichols & Adler.