Michael Helfant has joined Marvel Studios as President and Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Avi Arad, Chairman and CEO.  Helfant was most recently COO of Beacon Pictures, which produced features including Open Range, Raising Helen, and Ladder 49.  He also served as Senior EVP of Dimension Films from 1999 to 2002. 

Marvel recently raised over half a billion dollars to produce its own movies (see 'Marvel Gets Financing, Changes Name'), and also has numerous projects in the pipe with other studios.