Just in!
QuoteNEW YORK (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co said on Monday it plans to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc for $4 billion in a deal that would add characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four to its entertainment empire.
The cash and stock deal values Marvel at $50 per share, or a premium of 29 percent to Marvel's closing stock price of $38.65 on Friday. The deal has been approved by the boards of both companies.
Marvel's shares shot up to $48.70 in premarket trade. Shares of Disney, which will acquire ownership more than 5,000 Marvel characters, dropped about 3 percent in premarket trade.
Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/ ... 3120090831 (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN3143303120090831)
:shock:
I hope we won't see Spider-Man, Iron Man etc in Disneyland :?
:shock:
Didn't see this coming. Great news in my opinion, i love all of the Marvel comics and movies. Would this mean now the upcoming Marvel movies will be released under Disney?
Quote from: "Rorschach"I hope we won't see Spider-Man, Iron Man etc in Disneyland :?
Why not? We already have Star Wars and Indiana Jones in Disneyland ;) Although is there not already Marvel based attractions at Universal (Spider-Man and Hulk i think), what would that mean to them?
Quote from: "Rorschach"I hope we won't see Spider-Man, Iron Man etc in Disneyland :?
I second that to include rides as well. Star wars and Indiana Jones are at least slightly Disneyish to start with whereas marvel characters are.... well... not. Hopefully with them being very american characters they won't find their way over to paris in a hurry.
I mean look at them:
(//http://tech2.in.com/media/images/2007/Jul/img_14191_marvel_fiughtinggame_450x360.jpg)
:cry:
Quote from: "-breeno-":shock:
Didn't see this coming. Great news in my opinion, i love all of the Marvel comics and movies. Would this mean now the upcoming Marvel movies will be released under Disney?
Quote from: "Rorschach"I hope we won't see Spider-Man, Iron Man etc in Disneyland :?
Why not? We already have Star Wars and Indiana Jones in Disneyland ;) Although is there not already Marvel based attractions at Universal (Spider-Man and Hulk i think), what would that mean to them?
Star Wars and Indy are, in my opinion, more of a novelty. A slight break from the norm, if you will. And just about palatable. But both are contained to their respective rides and fit within the theme of the 'lands'. I'm glad we don't have a Star Wars float in the parades (please tell me there isnt one) or C-3P0 greeting you at breakfast.
My biggest fear is having Wolverine, the Hulk, Ironman, Fantastic Four etc. walking down Main Street and acting like they belong.
I wouldn't even consider a 3rd Marvel-themed park a good idea either. If they do go down that road someday, let them go way way down the road i.e. Barcelona :wink:
There's just a few questions are far as movie rights go. Fox still have the rights to Fantastic Four and the X-Men , Colombia (Sony) has Spiderman. The only one solely under Marvel's roof is Ironman (well, Hulk too..... but it stinks). Are these deals still in place ? Will Disney buy the contracts back, or try to influence how these films would have otherwise been made ? Spiderman 3 was bad enough due to interference from the studio (Venom - a Sam Raimi hated character).
All in all, I hope that the purchase of Marvel in financially sucessful for Disney, but the 2 companies better stay separate as far as everything else goes.
Question - how happy would a comic book fan be to find a guest appearance of Chip and Dale in a Dealpool comic, or Princess Aurora in need of rescuing from Gambit.
I'm also not sure about a superhero ride at Disneyland.
Is Disney now the biggest entertainment company in the world?
So I say don't be surprised to see Spidey, Hulk, the Fantasic Four and some others at a Disney Park (Walt Disney Studios, California Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios) near you as Universal bails out in response.
"We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," Iger said.
This is the word I'm clinging to, 'Brands'. Not a merger, or an amalgamation, a separate brand.
You would never dream of Kelloggs mixing its different brands e.g. Coco Pops and Special K in the same box ? No.
Heinz - Vegtable Soup, now with added Baked Beans. No.
Coke - Fanta and Sprite, with a dash of River Rock. No (actually Coke, Fanta and Sprite mixed is pretty nice. Ask for it next time in McD's!!!)
As Gandalf said to Frodo " Keep it Separate, Keep it Safe " ..........or was it secret,umm :P
Quote from: "Kristof":shock:
My exact reaction.
For now, I'm speechless. Are you sure this isn't some super-late April Fools prank?!
From a Theme Park point of view this isn't good for the anti-character brigade. :wink:
Disney had better not touch Spiderman at Islands of Adventure or I'll be very annoyed. (I think they will see sense and leave Universals deal alone though)
I've had it confirmed from one of my inside sources, existing licences (e.g. IOA) are unlikely to change unless Universal wish to do so. The 5 film deals in the work inc. Ironman 2 will remain in place, but then Disney can start making their films.
It will be interesting to see how this goes. Could be good for WDSP. But I am very nervous given how much Disney have been screwing up lately. It could of course end up like Narnia or the Muppets, but who knows.
Oh, I hope this wont happen. I'm a huge Marvel and comic book fan and I just don't think these two universes should in any way be linked. Not at all. This is very upsetting news. I don't want to see a Disney logo on my comic books! And I don't want Disney to be the production company behind my beloved Marvel movies. Disney makes magic, Marvel makes superheroes and action. Two very different things in my opinion. VERY upsetting news!
I could see Spidey and Iron Man at Walt Disney Studios maybe in around Production Courtyard and Backlot and maybe hold marvel meet and greets. I just hope they don't get in the way of the magic!
Quote from: "MizzRabbit"I just don't think these two universes should in any way be linked. Disney makes magic, Marvel makes superheroes and action. Two very different things in my opinion. VERY upsetting news!
Couldn't agree more and I hope as Pete's Dragon said, Disney will act merely as production/investor company and not attempt to sell thousands of marvel toys etc. under the Disney name.
Reuters has updated their article:
QuoteNEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co agreed to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc for $4 billion in a deal that would add characters such as Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four to its entertainment empire.
Disney is striking the biggest media deal of the year -- one that unites the Incredible Hulk and Mickey Mouse -- at a time when the entertainment business is struggling to cope with big spending cutbacks by both consumers and advertisers.
It is also paying a substantial price, a 29 percent premium for Marvel shareholders, and is undertaking its largest acquisition since the $7.6 billion purchase of Pixar in 2006.
But none of those risks deterred Disney from seeking out a deal to address an area of concern among investors: How can it better reach more young males.
"This helps give Disney more important exposure to the young male demographic that they have sort of lost some ground with in recent years," said David Joyce, an analyst with Miller Tabak & Co.
Indeed, Disney has long been a blockbuster brand with girls thanks to characters such as "Hannah Montana," "Cinderella" and "Snow White," but has struggled to achieve the same kind of success with boys.
Movies such as "Iron Man 2," due to hit the theaters next year, or 2011's "Spider-Man 4" and "Avengers" should help resolve that issue.
Moreover, Disney will be able to use its marketing and entertainment might -- stretching from ABC to cable television to theme parks -- to promote and build characters such as "Thor" in ways Marvel never could.
To acquire Marvel, Disney agreed to pay a total of $30 per share in cash plus about 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. The deal was approved by the boards of both companies.
The shares of Marvel, which was founded in 1939 and rolled out its first blockbuster character, Captain America, in 1941, shot up to a high of $49.29 before falling a bit to $48.38 in afternoon trading.
Disney approached Marvel a few months ago "to get to know them," Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs told Reuters on Monday. The overture began with a meeting between Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger and Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter and evolved into merger discussions over a series of meetings, Staggs said.
"We at Disney had admired them because of their position and asset base," Staggs said. "With conversations over time we came to believe in the value of a combination."
The shares of Disney, which will acquire ownership more than 5,000 Marvel characters, were down about 3.5 percent in afternoon trading. The deal is expected to close by year-end, but will not add to Disney earnings until fiscal 2012.
The acquisition came as a surprise, even though Iger had mentioned recently the company would consider acquisitions that bolstered Disney brands across international markets and on new technology platforms.
While it could kick-start more deal making in the media sector -- where stocks have outperformed the broader Standard & Poor's 500 this year -- few analysts see another bidder making a play for Marvel.
A major reason is the presence of Marvel's Perlmutter, who owns 37 percent of the company and will continue to oversee it within the Disney empire. Perlmutter will trade his stake in Marvel for a 1 percent stake in Disney, but will not receive a seat on its board of directors -- as did Pixar CEO Steve Jobs, a Disney spokesman said.
Disney executives drew a number of parallels between the Pixar and Marvel deals, and suggested it would keep the Marvel brand intact.
"The goal here is not to rebrand Marvel," Iger said on a conference call.
Caris & Co analyst David Miller said Disney was "sandbagging a little" by estimating the deal would not add to its earnings for another two years.
"They said the same thing with the Pixar deal," said Miller, who has "above average" ratings on both Disney and Marvel. "I think they will make it accretive a lot sooner. They are underpromising, as they always do."
Miller said Disney would have to wait until Marvel's five- picture distribution deal with Viacom Inc's
Paramount expires to realize the full economic benefit of its films, but would immediately see a boost from its licensing operations.
"This is going to catapult Disney's consumer products line in a huge way," Miller said. "I believe this is going to do more for Disney Consumer Products than for the film studio."
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/ ... 3120090831 (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN3143303120090831)
So it's the we can't think up our own original superheroes so we'll buy some routine? And as a young male myself I say hooey to that statement - Pirates of the Caribbean anyone? Cars? What about bringing back some cartoons in the style of the original shorts or as I have been saying for many years - reinvent the western! (Disney would have something branded to flog in fronteirland as a bonus too.)
Quote from: "Rorschach"I hope we won't see Spider-Man, Iron Man etc in Disneyland :?
My thoughts exactly or in any Disney park! The thought of spider man and Mickey mouse even being in the same category worries me! I can see why Disney want to do it but I just hope we don't have to put up with seeing the classic Disney characters mixed with these Marvel comic characters who will never, ever be Disney characters, no matter if Disney own them or not!
Quote from: "Barnsey313"I have been saying for many years - reinvent the western! (Disney would have something branded to flog in fronteirland as a bonus too.)
Aren't Disney doing a Lone Ranger flick? with Depp as Ranger's Side Kick (I forget his name) as Depp refused to join in unless he was him rather than the Ranger as Disney had offered him.
I'm kind of giddy over it as its 2 of my favourite companies coming together.
The way its being commented on with likenesses to Pixar... I think Disney will use its intelligence and keep the integrity of Marvel.
I'm just wondering will this purchase benifit Internationally as Disney Comics (Or Pixars most recent ones) haven't been brought to the UK... mainly cause Disney don't distribute the media over hear like the Name Marvel can and does.
When commenting on how you can't imagine these two worlds together and the idea of Mickey and Spiderman in the same category scares them... Do people forget that Disney purchased the Power Rangers? And has no one noticed one o the Flagship shows on Disney's new XD chanel is IRON MAN?
Quote from: "Captain Pan"When commenting on how you can't imagine these two worlds together and the idea of Mickey and Spiderman in the same category scares them... Do people forget that Disney purchased the Power Rangers? And has no one noticed one o the Flagship shows on Disney's new XD chanel is IRON MAN?
I did, and i forgot to put it in my post! :P
Can't see why this is a bad thing, i'm certain now after a bit of think we will not be seeing Spidy and the gang appearing at a Main Street near you. Disney own a lot of compaines, Marvel is probably just going to be another one to the list. ESPN is owned by Disney, but you don't see Mickey Mouse at every half time of a football game, they own 25% of British tv show GMTV, but you don't see Mickey and the gang on that couch every morning. See what i mean? ;)
I'm not that against this as I do love myself a bit of Marvel, but I'm incredibly intrigued as to why Disney is buying it...they are miles apart from each other in style etc.
Quote from: "Aveen2008"Quote from: "Rorschach"I hope we won't see Spider-Man, Iron Man etc in Disneyland :?
My thoughts exactly or in any Disney park! The thought of spider man and Mickey mouse even being in the same category worries me! I can see why Disney want to do it but I just hope we don't have to put up with seeing the classic Disney characters mixed with these Marvel comic characters who will never, ever be Disney characters, no matter if Disney own them or not!
Funny, I remember my elders saying the exact same thing when Disney acquired the rights to Winnie the Pooh. Lol
This is very bizarre news, would've never seen this one coming. Not sure why everyone is upset about it though, I can't see it affecting much at the theme parks (maybe posters for the films when Disney start making them and meet 'n' greets in the Studio parks (which I believe they do with Power rangers)).
I didn't see it in the news article Kristof posted but I read on another website that John Lasseter has already been in discussions with Marvel honchos. People are now hinting at maybe a future Pixar-Marvel film(s) which I think would be cool considering how amazing the Incredibles was.
So basically, Disney haven't a clue on how to appeal to teenage boys. Marvel do, but don't have the mass media reach that Disney have. So instead of throwing money at The Jonas Brothers, they bagged themselves Wolverine. Sounds like a good business move when you put it like that, doesn't it?
Quote from: "peep"I didn't see it in the news article Kristof posted but I read on another website that John Lasseter has already been in discussions with Marvel honchos. People are now hinting at maybe a future Pixar-Marvel film(s) which I think would be cool considering how amazing the Incredibles was.
Forget films. How about Pixar/Marvel CGI animated cartoon shows. Personally, the 80s Marvel cartoons (X-Men, Spiderman and his amazing friends etc) were fantastic. The recent CGI Spiderman cartoon - pants (and not the wear-on-top-of-your-trousers-superhero pants). Let Pixar make the animated films that they do best. Let Marvel make live-action films. Combine the 2 and hit the TV market instead :D/
Some very worrying quotes from Bob Iger
"We'd like love to attract more boys"
"We'd like the opportunity to go after boys more aggressively."
Umm, maybe he'd like to rephrase those comments 8-[
"Our agreement with Marvel stands for as long as we follow the terms of our existing contract and for as long as we want there to be a Marvel Super Hero Island," said Universal Studios Florida spokesman Tom Schroder.
(Like davewasbaloo said earlier.)
Good times! :D
i think it's a good idea, i'm a marvel and disney fan and i like this move a lot. I also see no problems with it. Warner owns DC and with that Batman, Superman etc. But that doesn't mean Bugs Bunny is the new Robin for Batman. So i would relax. I don't think Disney bought them to merge their Characters with disneys.
In the first place, this deal, like the Pixar deal, was most certainly made with the long-term view in mind. I think this is the best that could happen to both.
i don´t think the marvel charakters will hit the parks soon, but you will see more comics, movies ect. marvel was not very presented in the past, and now it will get its boost from disney.
they´re smart enough not to put mickey in a spiderman movie :lol:
don´t understand why so much peeps are against the deal, look at touchstone, espn, miramax, constantine films ect. they produce very good movies, like kill bill, resident evil, dogma ect. and i didn´t see any disney charakter in one of the films...
Check this out!
Source:
//http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/aug/31/disney-marvel-buy-out
Isn't this an surprise of a deal??
In my opinion a great combination!!
(//http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Technology/Pix/pictures/2007/11/14/captain-america460x276.jpg)
QuoteThe Walt Disney empire is to buy the superheroes stable Marvel Entertainment for $4bn (£2.5bn) in a star-studded Hollywood deal that unites family names such as Mickey Mouse with lucrative characters including Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk and the X-Men.
Disney hopes to put Marvel's 5,000 characters to work on its television channels and in video games, theme parks and movies. The agreed takeover is for a mixture of cash and stock, with Disney shares accounting for roughly 40% of the buyout price.
The tie-up unites two companies with similar business models – they both take characters which capture the popular imagination and promote them vigorously around the world on every possible media platform and through third-party licensing deals.
While Disney has traditionally been known for its wholesome family creations ranging from the Little Mermaid to Lion King, Hannah Montana and Pocahontas, the purchase of Marvel adds an edgier, more violent element – it recently scored a box office success with Iron Man, a movie starring Robert Downey Jr as a billionaire inventor who creates a hi-tech suit of armour to battle evil.
Marvel's characters, who include superhero Captain America, tend to chime particularly well with teenage boys and young men, while Disney has been stronger in appealing to a female audience.
Disney's chief executive, Bob Iger, said Marvel had a "treasure trove" of intellectual property that "transcends gender, age, culture and geographical barriers".
"There are so many opportunities to mine both characters that are known and characters that are not widely known," Iger said.
The tie-up is one of the largest US corporate transactions of the summer and marks a remarkable turnaround for Marvel, originally a comic book company, which filed for bankruptcy in 1996 under heavy debts as it faced a slump in comic book sales.
The two companies hope to complete the deal by the end of the year. Marvel's chief executive, Ike Perlmutter, will be the largest personal winner, scooping $1.4bn in cash and Disney shares in return for his 37% stake in the business.
Perlmutter has been involved in running Marvel since helping to buy the business out of bankruptcy in 1998.
Marvel's chairman, Mort Handel, described Disney as a "perfect home" for his company's library of characters. "Both companies have their roots in great storytelling and innovative artistry," he said.
Marvel had sales of $676m last year but employed just 300 people. Disney, in contrast, had a turnover of $37.8bn and a payroll of 150,000 staff at businesses varying from its Hollywood film studios to ABC television, theme parks on three continents and a high-street chain of Disney merchandise stores.
"This helps give Disney more important exposure to the young male demographic that they have sort of lost some ground with in recent years," said David Joyce, a media analyst at stockbroker Miller Tabak.
He added: "When you look at the kind of TV shows on their cable networks, and the Disney consumer products line for the princess and fairies – the Hannah Montana kind of stuff – it shows that they have a lot of strength addressing the young female demographic."
In a research note, Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet said: "Disney will also be able to monetise Marvel's brands across its entire ecosystem from TV to parks, movies, consumer products and video games."
Marvel's shares shot up by 26% to $48.78 during early trading on Wall Street. The buyout values Marvel at $50 per share.
Huge news. Really truly extraordinary. But not necessarily surprising, since Disney have been flailing around looking for things for young boys for a while.
Quite a shame Disney have to then buy up properties now rather than come up with their own ideas, but eh that's the way they seem to do things these days. Marvel will be incredibly valuable. Will we see merchandise in Disney Stores? In the parks?
I look forward to the opening of Superhero Studio at WDS..!
Quote from: "Anthony"I look forward to the opening of Superhero Studio at WDS..!
Could Iron Man replace the Narnia walkthrough Paris was rumored to getting before Disney shopped the Franchise?
Or Could we get a Marvel themed Amrageddon very much like the Bolt idea Ant had in the Workshop?
I think it is a great purchase and will work well for all involved. I am not surprised, as Disney were already working with Stan Lee, formerly of Marvel, on several comic book projects and Stan is happy with the deal too.
It will be interesting to see how new Spiderman, X-Men and other movies will be made. Disney will be making money out of their own competitors!
Quote from: "Pete's Dragon"Forget films.
Yes, lets! The money to be made can be found in retail (well, they would have to develop several properties further with films and tv-shows, too, to do so).
And strange no one mentioned this before: video games... Imagine an online role playing game similar to WoW based on "X-Men", for example... There's a whole lot of money to be made with this deal.
Theme parks could be interesting... I am not so sure about the popularity of Marvel characters outside of the US, but then again, Disney didn't shy away of putting the Twilight Zone brand on Paris' Tower of Terror... and who actually knows the Twilight Zone in Europe?
I too hope we won't see Main Street or the Studios invaded by "Marvel Men" ;although they are are good brand ,as everyone says they are completely different to Disney !
I just don't want to see them in the Parks , I'll go to Universal for that experience.It is a very interesting purchase by them though,did they feel they did not have enough material to work with ,with the huge Disney and Pixar catalogue ! Would rather they had bought The Lord of the Rings, as that is more in keeping !
Disney are probally thinking they can turn Discoveryland into Marvel Town and rejigg all the rides to fit in :roll: That is when I will chain myself to Orbitron in protest !
The first thing that comes to my mind, how about Disney combine the Soarin' ride system with an Iron Man film, for the Walt Disney Studios park. How cool would that be? You'd start off at Stark Industries and end up joining Tony himself on a spontaneous night mission! I can just imagine flying over the Californian coastline at night, with Iron Man himself whooshing around just beneath your feet and blowing things up!
FANTASTIC NEWS!
This is just what Disney needs. And as everyone knows, Disney has had good luck with bying up other (and very different) companies that at first glance doesn't seem very Disneyish:
- ESPN
- ABC
- Touchstone
- Miramax
- Dimension
- Power Rangers
- The Muppets
- The Bear in the Blue House
- SOAP
- Jetix
- Lifetime
- Blackrock Studio
- Stage 9
- Propaganda Games
- Club Penguin
- KerPoof
- Go.com
... and many more (check out the entire list of everything that Disney owns on my unofficial dansish Disney-site: http://disneyonline.dk/news/?id=39 (http://disneyonline.dk/news/?id=39))
And who's to define what "magic" is? For me, a Spider-Man movie can be just as magical as Pirates or Narnia. We just need a couple of years to get used to watching Marvel movies with the Disney logo up front.
Give me Peter Pan over Wolvering anyday thanks.
Whilst good in a business sense, I really hope we wont see Marvel characters arrive in any of the Dineyland Parks, IMO it would ruin the experience
i dont think disney will be putting spider man and all into there main parks but i think the stuidos will get somthing as long as its not to over the top and i think it could be a good move to get some better sets anf props in the tram tour i think superhero stuff would fit in perfectly in there
Quote from: "npg"Whilst good in a business sense, I really hope we wont see Marvel characters arrive in any of the Dineyland Parks, IMO it would ruin the experience
Why is it ok to have characters from Star Wars or Indiana Jones at a Disneyland Park, but not a Marvel character?
I can't beleive that people are getting so ete up about this aquisition whoever said that we will have spiderman, hulk or any other Marvel character in Disneyland Park you are living in cloud kookoo land. This is how I see things play out Retail locations throughout the world within 2-5 years. Parks walk around Characters within 3-6 years at DHS Florida, Disney Seas if Tokyo disney desired, Walt Disney Studios Paris and DCA.
Theme park attractions within 6-10 years maybe opening spiderman in California and Paris May take much longer to bring to Orlando and Tokyo because of Universal Deal but disney will make sure these attractions or lands will have a slow death as no new updates will be authorised and ultimatly Universal will look towards other properties to fill the gap they could see a new DC area of the park in florida with their recent partnership with Warner Bros and Florida and Tokyo Disney parks could see a Spiderman attraction within 15 years.
Quote from: "Gareth"i dont think disney will be putting spider man and all into there main parks but i think the stuidos will get somthing as long as its not to over the top and i think it could be a good move to get some better sets anf props in the tram tour i think superhero stuff would fit in perfectly in there
i agree, the studio park would fit for an attraction like that. Also Aerosmith rollercoaster is not exactly what you have in mind when you think about disney, but it's ok and nobody complains (or i haven't heard any).
Article from Interpark Magazine:
QuoteDespite recently announcing plans to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4bn, The Walt Disney Company is unlikely to use the group's popular range of characters at its Disney World park in Florida, a top executive has suggested.
A pre-existing licensing deal exists between Marvel and Universal Orlando giving Universal exclusive use of some of the comic giant's best-known characters - including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four - in theme parks east of the Mississippi River.
According to Disney chief financial officer Tom Staggs, the group will focus instead on using Marvel's character portfolio in its other theme parks around the world.
Source (//http://www.interpark.co.uk/news/2180/disney-will-not-use-marvel-in-orlando-park/)
:o So great to hear they'll be used in the parks.
Let's all chant together... Backlot! Backlot! Backlot!
Replacement for Armageddon, pleeease!
Do i smell a Marvel-themed land coming to the Walt Disney Studios? :P
Would be awesome though :D
Why not have a separate Super Hero City as a third gate?
Marvel Heroes, The Incredibles, Sky High...
It has potential!!
Mickey mouse shirt with him coming through the front and his legs and feet on the back? I Can't find it anywhere online. It has the worlds "mickey mouse" on the back. It's official Disney merchandise. I saw it in the stores in Walt Disney World and an airport in Orlando.
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Updating the Marvel character at a Disney park near you story, once their agreement with Universal expires, the characters will appear at all Disney parks in the future.
Anmd disneystore.com now has added Marvel superhero items. Also look for them at a Disney Store brick and mortar location near you.
TWDC acquires the world wide distribution rights of Iron Man 3 and The Avengers from Paramount Pictures:
http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporat ... _deal.html (http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/moreinfo/disney_paramount_marvel_restructure_deal.html%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, MARVEL RESTRUCTURE DISTRIBUTION DEAL
BURBANK, Calif. – October 18, 2010 – The Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios announced they have reached an agreement under which Paramount will transfer its worldwide marketing and distribution rights to Disney for Marvel Studios' The Avengers and Iron Man 3. Paramount will remain the worldwide distributor of the upcoming films, Thor and Captain America, as well as the previously released Iron Man and Iron Man 2.
Under terms of the new deal, Disney will pay Paramount $115 million for the transfer of the distribution rights to Iron Man 3 and The Avengers to be paid on the theatrical release dates. These monies will serve as a minimum guarantee against the distribution fees.
"In completing this agreement, Disney will now assume worldwide marketing and distribution of The Avengers and Iron Man 3 and leverage these two highly-anticipated films across the multiple global platforms of The Walt Disney Company," said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. "We appreciate the tremendous momentum that Paramount established with these iconic Marvel characters and look forward to propelling the brand even further in the coming years."
"Five years ago, when Paramount and Marvel made our initial deal, both our businesses were in very different places," said Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures. "We are grateful for the partnership we have had with the terrific Marvel team over these years and proud of the work we have done together. Today, this new agreement is the right deal for Paramount, for Marvel and for Disney. We look forward to working together on Thor and Captain America, and we wish Disney and Marvel the utmost success, in what we know will be a very productive and wide-ranging partnership."
"Paramount has been a wonderful partner in helping Marvel Studios bring our characters to the big screen," said Alan Fine, Office of the President, Marvel Worldwide, Inc. "This agreement makes sense now that Marvel is part of The Walt Disney Company."
Paramount will release Marvel Entertainment's Thor and Captain America worldwide beginning on May 6 and July 22 of 2011, respectively. The Avengers will be licensed to Epix under Paramount's existing pay television arrangement.
ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Marvel, and Touchstone Pictures, which includes the distribution of live action films from DreamWorks Studios. Through the Home Entertainment and Television division, innovative distribution methods provide access to creative content across multiple platforms. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit www.disney.com (http://www.disney.com"%20onclick="window.open(this.href);return%20false;).
ABOUT MARVEL
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more information, visit www.marvel.com (http://www.marvel.com"%20onclick="window.open(this.href);return%20false;).
ABOUT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution. www.paramount.com (http://www.paramount.com"%20onclick="window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
Not keen on a 'just Marvel' 3rd gate at Paris but the 'Super Hero 3rd Gate' sounds like fun!