Since Disney first announced its intention to buy Marvel Entertainment nearly four years ago, fans of properties on both sides have been speculating about what form the first crossover would take, and how long it would take to happen. Last July, it was announced that the event would feature four Marvel superheroes visiting the universe of Phineas and Ferb, and today Disney has announced when it will premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD.
The special episode, titled Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel, will premiere Friday, August 16, on Disney Channel at 8:00pm ET/PT. The following day, it will be available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video Store, and Microsoft Xbox. The episode will have another premiere event on Disney XD on Sunday, August 25, at 10:00am ET/PT, when it will be hosted by Dr. Doofenshmirtz himself via Doof’s Daily Dirt (his popular YouTube series).
The plot of the episode, from the official press release, is:
Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk stand powerless after being struck by Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s power-draining “inator.” Once the Marvel Super Villains – Red Skull, Whiplash, Venom and M.O.D.O.K. – find out that Dr. Doofenshmirtz is responsible for robbing the Super Heroes of their powers, they seek him out and together create mayhem in Danville. Meanwhile, Phineas and Ferb do everything they can to restore the Super Heroes’ powers before the evil villains take over the world.
I’ll admit I had somewhat mixed feelings about this, since it could easily have turned out terrible. But I’ve met the show’s creators Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh, and — particularly as I know they worked closely with Marvel’s animation staff on the project — I trust them to deliver something worth watching and faithful to both universes. Plus, the trailer (see below) looks pretty good. And Stan Lee is guest-starring (as himself, naturally) in the episode, which definitely lends it an air of Marvel authenticity.
One more cool item from the press release:
Beginning Friday, July 26, fans can visit DisneyChannel.com/MissionMarvel to play an all new game featuring characters from “Phineas and Ferb” and Marvel. The site will also feature videos and a chance to create your own “Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel” Photo Mash Up.
And don’t miss tonight’s new Phineas and Ferb “Musical Cliptastic Countdown” at 9:30 ET/PT, hosted by Kelly Osbourne.
