US-based Marvel Entertainment Group will build a theme park in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

The US$1bn park is being developed by Marvel and UAE-based real estate company Al Ahli Group (AAG), and is scheduled to open in 2011.

In a statement, AAG said it had been in discussions for more than two years with Marvel to establish an entire park using the US companies entertainment brands and library of characters, which include Spider-Man, The X-Men, Incredible Hulk and The Fantastic Four.

Mohamed Khammas, CEO of Al Ahli Group said: “AAG’s partnership with Marvel Entertainment serves a long pursued quest of creating the ultimate entertainment destination for families and children – a destination where they can live their childhood fantasies and create new memories for the entire family to cherish and remember.

“Marvel is a brand that is recognized globally via its ever expanding list of ‘super hero’ characters.”

In 2004, Marvel signed a deal with US-based ride designer Sally Corporation which enabled Sally to use the Marvel characters in amusement park rides and interactive exhibits.