Disney to acquire Marvel for $4 billion

This was a big surprise to me. Wow! Pixar was a no-brainer. But this is really interesting.

I think this move has a lot more to do with the movie/consumer products side of things than theme parks. That being said, you know how they like to market movies with their parks. Then again, how often do they use the parks to market Miramax etc.?

I suspect the primary reason behind the purchase wasn't for Disney's parks , but rather to help prop up its film division. Marvel seems to provide an endless river of profitable movies. Given the blockbuster box office for a number of Marvel franchises, that $4 billion is a pretty good deal for Disney.

Although giving Universal Studios a little bit of a frack you for winning Harry Potter probably was an ancillary benefit.

EDIT: Great minds, Jan.

Lord Gonchar said:

RavenTTD said:
4 billion for themeing?? Jebus! That is a hell of a lot of cash. Is Disney planning a new park or something?

They didn't pay to license the characters - they bought the company.

HUGE difference.

As Gonch said, they bought the company. This gives Disney a piece of the Marvel movie gold mine. Iron Man sequels, Avengers, etc. I believe Paramount and Sony have 'distribution rights' for the A-list characters for a while, but Disney still should make plenty of money if these movies hit big.

If Iron Man and Incredible Hulk had both flopped last summer, would this deal still be happening? If so, the price would be less than $4 billion.

They do not have access to the XMen franchise and spin-offs though. Those rights were sold off to Fox before Marvel realized the cash-cow it was holding.

Regardless, Cap-Am, Thor and The Avengers movies are going to be as close to having your own US Mint authorized printing press in the utilidors as they can get. And without Ahquel trying to hunt them down.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't their an article somewhere stating that Disney had a list of several ideas for a new park, and included on that list was a super hero park?

Tell Universal that Nickolodeon's available.

I don't see why they wouldn't incorporate Marvel into the Disney experience. Probably not a new park, but maybe a major overhaul for Hollywood Studios. The park is somewhat stale when compared to Universal.

Or what about a Disney Marvel Resort or a Disney Super Hero Resort??

It is starting to sound like Universal is safe with their Marvel Super Hero Island at IOA on word that the license deal was in perpetuity for theme park use east of the Mississippi (their Marvel license for the Hollywood park expired not too long ago), and that Disney will be focusing on TV and merchandise for the near future (about 5 years), with some expansion into movies, and then eventually moving too DCA eventually. It sounds like Disney would have to pay Universal if they want to bring Marvel to the Florida properties.

I could image a Marvel Experience in New York City. Nothing huge, just a small attraction similar to other boutique ideas they've kicked around in the past. I think Marvel would fit better there than previous ideas they had.

Or better yet, Marvel Land here in San Diego right next to the Comic-Con-vention Center. ;)

Here is a good read on the purchase...

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090831-marvel-disney-ten-questions.html

Breaks down the current distribution and marketing rights of Spidey, Ironman, X-Men and other franchise characters.

Also, a quote from Universal (courtesy of the above link):

"Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Marvel characters are a beloved and important part of the Universal Orlando experience...We believe our agreement with Marvel stands and that the Disney/Marvel deal will have no impact on our guest experience."

Surprised they actually mentioned Disney by name :)

Disney's movies have not been faring well recently, except for the Pixar collaborations. The exception is the POTC franchise. In contrast, movies based on Marvel superhero characters have had huge success and there is still much room to grow. What I find fascinating is how unusual it is for Disney to buy someone else's character ideas, as opposed to developing their own. It seems like a smart move if Disney can incorporate the merger.

sws said:
What I find fascinating is how unusual it is for Disney to buy someone else's character ideas, as opposed to developing their own. It seems like a smart move if Disney can incorporate the merger.

Microsoft made billions on other people's ideas. Why shouldn't Disney? ;)

On another note, how kick ass would it be for a Pixar/Marvel collaboration of some kind? Just think of the possibilities!

So...

This seems to be an EXTREAMLY interesting move on 'Da Mouse's part.

Are we gonna see the "X-Muppets," or something crazy like that?

"Extreamly," eh?

I was just going to go down the film road as well. The diversity of their film business in particular I think is key to the overall company reaching a broader audience. I'd be kind of shocked to see Marvel characters running around Magic Kingdom any time soon.

I think all the comic fanboys and fangirls (want to give equal oppertunity), are letting out a death cry.

Maybe we'll get lucky and have some of these tween charaters tick off Wolverien and get slashed and killed off.

"Oppertunity," eh?

Fanboys and fangirls shouldn't worry. Unless Uncle Walt posters start popping up at Marvel Studios. Right now, anyways, Disney claims to be taking a hands-off approach.

Marvel is not coming to DCA in the near future since Disney has already announced their major expansion and renovation plans for that theme park and it involves Pixar and Disney brands. However, there is a potential opportunity for a third theme park in Anaheim in the next 10-15 years. At this point I don't see a 6th Disney theme park in Florida.

Okay, what about a Disney park near 'Vegas or Atlanta, or even San Diego?

In this economy?

Doub't it.

Plus, would there be that much of a fan base to support a park on just the marvel theme alone?

DCA plans were already announced? I thought those were being saved for the Iger speech and Imagineering presentations during the D23 expo?