Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was raking in billions and dominating pop culture with “Iron Man,” “Spider-Man,” and “Captain America,” Marvel’s very first theatrical feature arrived in 1986: “Howard the Duck.” Backed by Lucasfilm and executive producer George Lucas, the film brought the wisecracking, cigar-smoking bird to the big screen in unforgettable fashion. Now, that story is headed back to theaters with “Howard the Doc (Or: How I Learned to Start Quacking and Love the Bomb),” a new documentary set to be released this fall by Anchor Bay Entertainment, according to Collider.
Anchor Bay Entertainment Brings “Howard the Doc” To Theaters This Fall
Making his directorial debut, Ernesto Trinidad dives into the origins, production, and legacy of “Howard the Duck,” highlighting how the movie helped pave the way for modern comic book cinema. Though it was unconventional for its time, the film struck a chord with audiences who embraced its bold tone, offbeat humor, and groundbreaking practical effects. Cast members like “Back to the Future” trilogy star Lea Thompson, and “The Shawshank Redemption” star Tim Robbins gave it star power.
“Howard the Doc” features brand-new interviews with Thompson, legendary effects artist Phil Tippett, and many others, offering candid recollections of working on the set. It also explores Howard’s pop culture afterlife, including his cult following and his more recent cameos in the MCU voiced by Seth Green.
A Celebration Of Marvel’s Unlikely Beginning
Anchor Bay CEO Thomas Zambeck praised “Howard the Doc” as a vital exploration of “the risks, the ridicule, and ultimately the redemption” of Marvel’s first theatrical leap. The distributor has recently been expanding its slate with buzzy genre titles like “Abruptio” and “Cursed in Baja,” but “Howard the Doc” marks one of its boldest documentary acquisitions yet.
The film positions Howard not as a footnote, but as a pioneer. From George Lucas’s involvement to the creative risks that made it stand out, “Howard the Duck” is reframed as a turning point in comic book cinema. Fans who grew up with the movie — and those discovering it now — will find a fascinating portrait of how one eccentric character helped shape the road to today’s Marvel dominance.
“Howard the Doc” will hit theaters nationwide this fall before arriving on home formats through Anchor Bay. Audiences will be able to rent and purchase it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu, with Blu-ray and DVD editions also available for collectors.
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