Disney to Buy Marvel

[YSSMAN]

Disney + Marvel = ???

News broke this morning that literally knocked me off of my feet. The Walt Disney Corporation is buying Marvel, Inc. for $4 Billion USD. According to Disney, they'll be adding over 5,000 characters to their already large catalog, a move that is being called critical as they attempt to reel in attention from the 18-34 year old male market that they've been ignoring.

What do you guys think?

I'm torn on the issue. I think these are two great flavors, but ultimately, they don't exactly go together. But, the promise of having a greater amount of money behind their (Marvel) projects, better-controlled licensing, and a promised "hands off" nature to their purchase... It sounds like Marvel will be landing softly at Disney's door.

(Check out /Film's "What Does the Deal Mean" post here)

I keep thinking of the Mirmax situation, whereas they have been left to their own devices, and continue to make edgy films that are very "un-Disney." Even Pixar, who was purchased for nearly $8 billion back in 2007, has remained mostly separate from Disney as well. Of course, I'm worried about crossovers, and the eventual issues with licensing with Universal and Paramount, but... Having it all under one house could clear things up. Maybe.

I look forward to hearing more about whats going on.

 

[FoolKiller]

Personally, I'm not sure what the big deal is as far as content goes. Sure, from a business perspective it is huge, but I shrug at every "what will happen to the Marvel characters" comment I see.

Jay and Silent Bob didn't have Mickey shoved down their throat, in fact they made fun of it. Pixar has obviously gone in a very non-princess direction (thank god) and Pixar saved Disney. Disney needed Pixar. Similarly, Disney needs mature, but family fun movies. Marvel has scored with that. Of course, so much is currently tied to Sony, Fox and Paramount right now that little can be done now, but Disney ultimately holds all the movie rights in the long run.

Oddly enough, every single thought I can think of is positive. Animated Marvel Comics films done by Pixar? Pure win. Admit it. Ghost Rider would be a million times better if it had been animated.

The only real crossover thing Disney has done has been Kingdom Hearts. Think about that for just a second. 'Nuff said, Bub.



And, as bad as it would be, I want to see the Fantastic Four meets The Incredibles short.

 

[Omnis]

Yssman, get real. This is a business ownership. Did Jaguar make cars that smelled like curry just because Tata bought them? Marvel's management is still the same. Now they're just owned by Disney.

That said, I trust Disney execs more than Sony ones. No more Spiderman 3s I hope.

 

[T-Squared]

They bought Marvel to take down the Universal theme park thats right next to Disney world. If you look at Universals park map they have a whole Island Devoted to marvel that they have to spend a ton of money to change that into something else.

 

[Omnis]

They bought Marvel to take down the Universal theme park thats right next to Disney world. If you look at Universals park map they have a whole Island Devoted to marvel that they have to spend a ton of money to change that into something else.

It's called Islands of Adventure and it's not going anywhere. They'll just get a fat cut.

 

[FoolKiller]

It's called Islands of Adventure and it's not going anywhere. They'll just get a fat cut.

That and the other studios that have rights to Marvel characters maintain their contracts despite this. And in some cases, like fox and Sony, the contracts are good until they go X amount of time without making a movie.

Hey look, today information "leaked" that Fox is doing a Fantastic Four reboot. Yes, you read that right.

See, how this works.

As for Universal theme parks, guess who has right to Hulk?

 

[Robin]

This would open a whole new world of entertainment

Marvel Vs Disney - coming soon to all consoles!

 

[bin0]

This would open a whole new world of entertainment

Marvel Vs Disney - coming soon to all consoles!

Good one.

 

[Studentdriver]

That and the other studios that have rights to Marvel characters maintain their contracts despite this. And in some cases, like fox and Sony, the contracts are good until they go X amount of time without making a movie.

Hey look, today information "leaked" that Fox is doing a Fantastic Four reboot. Yes, you read that right.

See, how this works.

So I suppose we can still expect the upcoming Deadpool movie to be a FOX property.

 

[YSSMAN]

Last I had heard, the Deadpool movie was (sorry for the pun), dead. Whatshisname (I'm drawing a blank here) will be playing The Green Lantern for DC (and Warner Brothers) instead. It could happen later, but that depends on how far long the deals were.

The fact that Disney is honoring previous contractual obligations of Marvel is just awesome. It would have been an absolute disaster to have to re-negotiate deals already broken with Paramount, Universal, Fox, Sony, Mattel, Activision, SEGA, Capcom, and so on and so on... Honestly, when you start thinking about how much Marvel has liscenced out their stuff, its mind-boggling. As a matter of fact, I just went down to Meijer yesterday to buy Band-Aids, and they had Marvel ones sold under the Meijer brand. Crazy.

Having everything under the house of mouse should clean things up, keep continuities straight, and possibly make the future for things like The Mighty Avengers film that much easier to do.

 

[Studentdriver]

Last I had heard, the Deadpool movie was (sorry for the pun), dead. Ryan Reynolds will be playing The Green Lantern for DC (and Warner Brothers) instead. It could happen later, but that depends on how far long the deals were.

Did a quick check on IMDb and there's no proof of cancellation. It seems production is likely to start soon on Green Lantern, and DP doesn't even have a script or a director yet and wasn't expected until 2011 at the earliest, so they'll probably do all that while Green Lantern is being made.

 

[DEATHSARTHE]

Marvel Vs Disney - coming soon to all consoles!

Oh please, let this happen. I would LOVE to beat the living color out of that damn mouse.

I personally don't see the gain for Marvel. They are already recognized and beloved worldwide. They've had wildly successful comics, movies, cartoon shows, and misc. merchandise. I'm really shocked. I mean they're a comic book company worth 4 billion dollars. That's mind-boggling to me. What more could they possible gain? I know I'm some random guy from Maryland, USA, but just how much more successful could they possibly be from this?

It just seems like a gigantic hit to Universal Studios because of their theme parks and Mavel movie titles which some are top grossing films. Now they're competing against that. I had also immediately thought of Marvel Island at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. What are they going to do with it? I know they aren't going to give their competition a cut of their annual income - it is an extremely competitive market. It also seems there aren't enough original modern movie heros to replace those rides, or even to generate a theme for the island...

👎

 

[Leonidae]

Hmm.. superman vs super goofy, batman versus paperinik, batgirl versus paperinika... yeah, it would be epic.

 

[Omnis]

Last I had heard, the Deadpool movie was (sorry for the pun), dead. Whatshisname (I'm drawing a blank here) will be playing The Green Lantern for DC (and Warner Brothers) instead. It could happen later, but that depends on how far long the deals were.

Jack Black? I heard he was in consideration for Green Lantern.


Shame they couldn't get Sam Jackson to be the Lantern that transfers his powers. That would be epic.

Maybe we'll see a Kingdom Hearts vs. Marvel game. But it would suck because Capcom wouldn't be involved. /has flashbacks of playing Ehrgeiz

 

[FoolKiller]

Hmm.. superman vs super goofy, batman versus paperinik, batgirl versus paperinika... yeah, it would be epic.

<glances at Marvel and DC universe encyclopedias>

Jack Black? I heard he was in consideration for Green Lantern.

Ryan Reynolds, aka Van Wilder, aka Deadpool (sorta). Jack Black has been a tad bit busy with Brutal Legend.

Shame they couldn't get Sam Jackson to be the Lantern that transfers his powers. That would be epic.

Who, wha? You mean Abin Sur? I don't see Samuel L Jackson as an alien. He could easily be John Stewart, but John Stewart is Hal Jordan's backup.


I'll go back to my geek corner now.

 

[Omnis]

Oh, EPIC fail, Leo!

Who, wha? You mean Abin Sur? I don't see Samuel L Jackson as an alien. He could easily be John Stewart, but John Stewart is Hal Jordan's backup.


I'll go back to my geek corner now.

What, so Sam Jackson can only play John Stewart because he's black? I think he could pull off Abin Sur. That would be great. He's too old for Stewart.

 

[FoolKiller]

What, so Sam Jackson can only play John Stewart because he's black?

I'll not bring up some of the racial themes covered in Green Lantern over the years, which would make this an important point. I'll also ignore the fact that Sam Jackson as Nick Fury is awesome in my opinion, even if Fury was only black in the Ultimate universe.

But I do not see Sam Jackson with salmon colored skin pulling off a dying alien. Too, um, calm and quiet. I think he could pull off a cool Sinestro.

He's too old for Stewart.

He could play younger than he is. Stewart actually has some of the better stories, in my opinion. Jordan set up the modern mythos, but I preferred Stewart. Unfortunately, if they ever do Stewart it will be Will Smith, guaranteed.


Anyway, this is off topic.

 

[Omnis]

I'll not bring up some of the racial themes covered in Green Lantern over the years, which would make this an important point. I'll also ignore the fact that Sam Jackson as Nick Fury is awesome in my opinion, even if Fury was only black in the Ultimate universe.

But I do not see Sam Jackson with salmon colored skin pulling off a dying alien. Too, um, calm and quiet. I think he could pull off a cool Sinestro.


He could play younger than he is. Stewart actually has some of the better stories, in my opinion. Jordan set up the modern mythos, but I preferred Stewart. Unfortunately, if they ever do Stewart it will be Will Smith, guaranteed.


Anyway, this is off topic.

Indeed, on all counts.

 

[Leonidae]

what? last time I touched that over patriotic american propaganda trash was early in the 90's.. hence why my knowledge about superheros and who owns the character is slightly out of date. *shrugs* as far as I care, they can go to the same place with the Rick Astley..

 

[FoolKiller]

what? last time I touched that over patriotic american propaganda trash was early in the 90's.. hence why my knowledge about superheros and who owns the character is slightly out of date. *shrugs* as far as I care, they can go to the same place with the Rick Astley..

Dude, they killed Captain America a few years ago and Superman has long since dropped "Truth, Justice, and the American Way."

Besides, Wolverine is the most awesome hero EVAR and he is Canadian.


EDIT:
And rumors are starting that Pixar's first Marvel film may be Ant Man.

http://www.cinematical.com/2009/09/08/ant-man-pixar-marvel-movie/

And I believe the size transition, especially when he becomes Giant Man, will work much better with Pixar animation than as live action.

 

[niky]

Ant Man? Seriously? Wow.

I woulda rather seen Ka-Zar in animation... with animation based on Jack Kirby art... Glee!

 

[Omnis]

Will it be Pym or O'Grady? I hope it's the Pymp.

 

[YSSMAN]

I thought they still had David Duchovny attached for a Pym film? Last I had heard, it was on-track for 2010. Not sure if that's still the case. Especially with Thor and Cap getting the majority of Marvel attention these days. There was word that Eva Longoria would be attached to play Wasp, Pym's wife.

Hmmm.


Now that I think about it, an animated feature may make more sense. BUT, having those two attached to a live-action movie still sells in my head too.

 

[FoolKiller]

Ant Man? Seriously? Wow.

I woulda rather seen Ka-Zar in animation... with animation based on Jack Kirby art... Glee!

They already have a script for Ant Man, so it was something they could move on quickly to show that the Disney/Marvel deal won't be a bust for comic fans.

Will it be Pym or O'Grady? I hope it's the Pymp.

No clue, but based on the recent Avengers animated movies, and even the live action stuff, everything seems to be based on the Ultimate universe, which points to Pym. It was Pym in the two animated Avengers movies.

Also, IMDB says Pym.

I thought they still had David Duchovny attached for a Pym film? Last I had heard, it was on-track for 2010. Not sure if that's still the case. Especially with Thor and Cap getting the majority of Marvel attention these days. There was word that Eva Longoria would be attached to play Wasp, Pym's wife.

Hmmm.


Now that I think about it, an animated feature may make more sense. BUT, having those two attached to a live-action movie still sells in my head too.

Nothing but rumors as far as casting is concerned. IMDB has it listed as 2012 with the script going through a second draft. Nothing else is official at this point. Even the Pixar story is rumor for now.

Marvel is actually doing a good job of keeping their movie news under wraps before production officially starts. I mean, if you look at Thor we only have about three confirmed actors, no script knowledge and a filming date for January.

Part of it could be that outside of the big names your average movie goer doesn't know or care. I can bet that 75% or more of the average person doesn't even know who Ant Man is or how he relates to The Wasp or Giant Man. So, no one is digging for details. Thor is the same way. Non-comic fans probably think of mythology before comics when they hear that name.

I just don't think that we can hope to hear any definite news on some of these until they at least hit production.

 

[YSSMAN]

Thor is the same way. Non-comic fans probably think of mythology before comics when they hear that name.

I think of my Daddy first.


But that would be a terrible movie.

 

[FoolKiller]

But that would be a terrible movie.

Your daddy or The Mighty Thor?

 

[niky]

O'er the Rainbow Bridge of Asgard... where the booming heavens roar...

What was the last live action movie with Thor in it? Adventures in Babysitting? Mhmmmm... time to go DVD hunting again!

 

[DEATHSARTHE]

Don't know if means anything yet to anyone, but in my stocker boy job at Kmart - I was stocking Disney Halloween stuff and pulled out a box of trick or treat bags that were Cinderella themed and as I dug lower into the box, suddenly...

SPIDERMAN. RADIOACTIVE SPIDERMAN.

It has begun.

 

[FoolKiller]

Don't know if means anything yet to anyone, but in my stocker boy job at Kmart - I was stocking Disney Halloween stuff and pulled out a box of trick or treat bags that were Cinderella themed and as I dug lower into the box, suddenly...

SPIDERMAN. RADIOACTIVE SPIDERMAN.

It has begun.

Well, Marvel has always had big marketing. I mean, I can get generic brand Wal*Mart bandages with Spiderman on them. I think the only difference we will see is what you just saw, they ship in the same box now.