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FACT BRIEF

Does the Department of Defense fund Marvel superhero movies?

Wednesday, November 18, 2020
By Lauralei Singsank
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NO

The Defense Department supports some Marvel movies with access and information, but does not fund them. The Pentagon's entertainment liaison makes decisions on the department's involvement in particular productions. Typically it might offer access to information, locations or military vehicles.

A 2007 licensing agreement between the Pentagon and Marvel Studios (now a unit of Walt Disney Co.) lays out terms for Marvel's first movie, "Iron Man." It states that Marvel must portray the military according to certain standards set out by the Pentagon. It also states that Marvel will reimburse the U.S. government for expenses for use of military resources, not the other way around. Marvel must also cover travel, lodging, per diem and phone expenses for all military liaisons on the project.

The relationship between Hollywood and the Pentagon dates back to 1927.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Insider One man controls Hollywood's military access
Marvel Studios Downloadable copy of 2007 Defense Department licensing agreement with Marvel
Spy Culture Spy Culture: Does the Pentagon fund movies?
US Department of Defense How and why the Pentagon works with Hollywood
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.