Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, has reached a landmark deal with Marvel Entertainment Inc. to develop the Middle East’s first Super Heroes theme park at the world's largest leisure, tourism and entertainment destination. Located within Dubailand, the Marvel Super Heroes theme park will be one of its key anchor projects.

The design and conceptual master plan of this 4.5 million square-foot development has recently been finalized. The park is expected to welcome visitors in 2012.

Originally announced last year as a partnership between the Al Ahli group and Marvel Entertainment, Tatweer has now stepped in to oversee and take the development forward, and strategically manage its theme park portfolio.

"We are truly thankful to Al Ahli Group who was instrumental in starting the negotiations to bring the Marvel Super Heroes theme park concept to Dubai,” says David Maisel, executive vice president of Marvel Entertainment and chairman, Marvel Studios. “The decision to move over to Tatweer's Dubailand is a strategic move aimed at positioning Marvel Super Heroes theme park in the world's most diverse leisure and entertainment destination."

Other licensors involved in the Dubailand project include DreamWorks Animation, Six Flags, HIT Entertainment, and Universal Studios.