Disney Plans To Acquire Marvel Comics
Terribly scary news to pass along today … The Walt Disney Company has announced that it is planning to acquire the Marvel Comics company — including its 5,000 characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, etc. — for $4 billion in cash and stock. Um, to this I say, WTF????????
The Walt Disney Co. says it is acquiring Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing characters like Iron Man and Spider-Man into the Disney family. Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters. Disney said Monday that Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own. It said the boards of Disney and Marvel have both approved the transaction, but it requires an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.
This is terrible news! While I’m sure Disney plans on acquiring Marvel Comics for the sole purpose of keeping it the way it is, I can’t help but wonder if they will start tinkering with the way Marvel operates its comics and/or movie biz somewhere down the line if they successfully gain control. I had no idea that Marvel was in a position where they would want to sell … to anyone … let alone Disney! Says Ike Perlmutter, Marvel’s Chief Executive Officer:
“Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses.”
And here’s a quote from Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company:
“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories.”
I can’t help but feel deep in the pit of my gut that this is a terrrrrrrribly horrible idea … one that will adversely affect Marvel comics fans down the line. I mean … right? Does this sound like a good idea to anyone out there??
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Tags: Marvel Comics, The Walt Disney Company
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August 31st, 2009 at 7:49 am
Who wouldn’t want to see Prof. X rolling around Disney World??
August 31st, 2009 at 7:49 am
I’m with you Trent. This is not going to be good. I’m scared!
August 31st, 2009 at 7:56 am
I actually think Disney already shows Marvel Cartoons. I could be wrong but i think they have a spiderman one.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:10 am
Worst idea ever.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:12 am
it’ll be fine. Disney acquired Pixar and let them be…
August 31st, 2009 at 8:23 am
DC all the way…but still :/ Sad day.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:37 am
I’ve got a bad feeling in my gut, but I’m hoping they leave Marvel as it is. I’m having visions of an epic battle in the sky between Buzz Lightyear and Iron Man, LOL!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 8:51 am
I can just picture Disney telling marvel that they can no longer put violence or blood in their comic because of the children. Though I know they probably won’t, Marvel, in all likelihood, will be left alone and just be apart of the Disney conglomerate.
But, and correct me if I’m wrong, aren’t most of Marvel’s current movies and cartoons made by Warner brothers?
August 31st, 2009 at 8:57 am
Honestly, I don’t see what’s the big deal… I mean, why not?
August 31st, 2009 at 9:12 am
Ok, ok, ok. Random news! But totally, WTF hey Trent!
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Now this is good & bad. Good for Stan Lee i suppose! Heh! Firstly the good thing. There are a lot of comics out there that go unrecognised. A lot of die-hard fans want it that way, whilst others believe they deserve some attention. I mean they’re comics, they’re not indie artists (M.I.A.) being exploited to mainstream (Paper Planes) radio. If they’re on Marvel, they’re pretty much mainstream unlike Watchmen which was published by DC, was developed by more indie artists.
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Disney are all about money. And we all know they product sequel after sequel and sometimes exploit their franchises. I mean i hope another Pirates doesnt come too soon. Especially with no Keira and maybe no Orlando. leave it a few years and if they don’t come back, do a Jack Sparrow prequel. But Disney will produce movies on comics that deserve or suit to be made on the BIG SCREEN.
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However, i can’t help but see sequel after sequel of Spiderman, even if it means signing on OTHER actors. S3 wasn’t the best and the acting wasn’t either compared to the first two but who can compare to Tobey Maguire? And more sequels of Iron Man eventually turning it into Fantastic Four series.
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There are good and bad things i see in this. But we’ll see how it pans out! I can’t get over the $4 billion ammount though. I imagine this deal to be very much like Pixars though. And that is the best deal i’ve ever seen. Have Pixar become sell-outs? Hell no, look at the Rat film, Wall-E & Up – all movies you wouldn’t think be created if Disney ONLY wanted money. Pixar is still Pixar just owned by Disney. I hope this deal is somewhat like that!
August 31st, 2009 at 9:17 am
Oh does anyone else see Disney & Microsoft becoming best pals? Imagine what Steve Jobs would do! After all he has the whole Pixar/Disney relation!
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Marvel + Microsoft = World Leaders
August 31st, 2009 at 9:41 am
i think all will be well disney owns alot more then we think/know no worries :-)
August 31st, 2009 at 9:47 am
[...] Disney Plans To Acquire Marvel Comics (pinkisthenewblog.com) [...]
August 31st, 2009 at 9:57 am
stop being so dramatic LOL itll be fine loco
August 31st, 2009 at 10:45 am
Nooooooooooo!!! Bubye Marvel comics.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:53 am
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 11:04 am
Oh no. This is not good news at all.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:20 am
If this happens then there will be more superhero movies like The Fantastic 4! I don’t care for Spider-Man anymore and the Hulk has always been ridiculous. Rah.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:21 am
Disney will leave Marvel alone, and everything will continue as is. Business-wise, I think this is great! Marvel went bankrupt in the 90’s and had to reorganize. If Disney can prevent this from ever happening again, I’m all for it!
August 31st, 2009 at 11:25 am
I’m sort of shrugging off the news, but I wanted to say that I LOVE the picture you set up! Hilarious!
August 31st, 2009 at 11:48 am
Pixar has total autonomy, and is considered a separate entity from Disney, so why not Marvel? I’m a cast member and I can tell you without a doubt that Pixar is VERY picky about how its characters are used by Disney. Also given that there’s “Marvel Island” at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando I’m not quite sure we’ll be seeing a Spidey ride at Disney World. I like what Pop Watch has to say about this but we shall see how it all turns out…
August 31st, 2009 at 11:50 am
I don’t see any reason why you should be worried. I did the Disney College Program my freshman year and saw this video that went on for like 10 minutes of all the companies they own. I think Marvel is in good hands and don’t expect Disney to change it. Maybe some new attractions at the Disney Parks, perhaps? That would be awesome.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:51 am
[...] Disney Plans To Acquire Marvel Comics (pinkisthenewblog.com) [...]
August 31st, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I agree with the sinking feeling.
I found out from a friend of mine who is studying illustration. She sent me a text saying, “looks like we’ll be trying to work for the same company now.” And while I don’t mind Disney in and of itself, I don’t like the possibility that it could ever interfere with the way Marvel produces material.
From my point of view, Disney would never green light stories like those of Northstar, Anole, Wiccan, and Hulkling in their own franchise.
I dunno… wait and see what will happen, but I’m cynical about this.
August 31st, 2009 at 1:44 pm
omg Marvel will never be cool again….this is the worst news ever!! they are going to turn it into one big Disney attraction/money maker.
August 31st, 2009 at 1:45 pm
This is not a bad thing. Nobody can market (and sell) the way that Disney can.
Disney has been severely lacking in a character interest group for young boys, with the exception of the Pirates line. Other than that, they are weak in that area. The acquisition of Marvel will give Disney the opportunity to work some of their best known and loved characters into the Disney brand, parks, etc. and bring a renewed interest to that segment of boys. Disney knows a good thing when they see it – Pixar anyone?
Disney does not interfere with a good thing – it only enhances what is already there.
I could personally care less, having two girls that are Disney princess obsessed. But I also know Disney won’t screw this up.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Hmm we’re gonna have to wait and see. But I agree with Disney not interfering with something when it’s already great.
-meream
August 31st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I’m a comic nerd but sometimes things like this need to happen for the greater good. Hopefully this will kill marvel and in turn save real comic books. This will make us all stronger.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:13 pm
everyone who’s freaking out… stop it will be fine. Disney knows what it’s doing and doesn’t just ruin things.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I know wiki isn’t the most accurate of resources, but check out the list of what Disney owns… so much more than we think about. ESPN, ABC, Hulu, Miramax, Touchstone Pictures, etc. I think we’ll be okay. I do wonder about Universal Studios though. That is their main rival in Orlando, yes? How would that work…?
I agree with ‘me’ in that Disney needs to expand their market to young boys.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I’m not crazy about the a major corporation gobbling up another media outlet. Disney owns 10 television stations, 50 radio stations, ESPN, A&E, the History Channel, Discover magazine, Hyperion publishing, Touchstone Pictures, and Miramax Film Corp. http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=2127045
On the other hand at least maybe they’ll yank back the rights for the X-Men from 20th Century Faux. I’ll say it again X-Men III was a disaster the X-Men franchise has yet to recover from!
August 31st, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I think its great! I live in Orlando so basically a Disney hater! I despise the mouse. With this deal I might actually be a Disney fan after all. I mean, Disney has more money than God. Just imagine the possibilities of movies, shows, cartoons, attractions, rides, 3-d movies, etc that may now actually see the light of day that otherwise wouldnt have been made because it would’ve been too expensive or any list of reasons that they couldnt or wouldnt be made by another company and Disney doesn’t even bat an eyelash. I don’t think they bought Marvel with the intention of not using these great characters and just throwing them away. They see the potentional money making ideas that Marvel has to offer and that would excite even, ahem, middle aged guys like my self who only ever had cartoons to quench my thirst when I was a kid. Now we will have a miriad of exposure of some of the great characters we grew up with and have only had the pleasure of READING about. I’m staying positive and excited about it. I think it will be a great thing that now has SUPER INTERNATIONAL potential.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:23 pm
A few things that crossed my mind:
Beauty and the Beast (Starring Belle and Hank MacCoy)
The Litltle Mermaid (guest starring Namor)
September 1st, 2009 at 12:19 am
@karl there already is a place that u can experience marvel comics, its at islands of adventure also in orlando. they have a whole “island” dedicated to it. just in general, Now unless they closed that part of the park down which i highly doubt seeing as how it was the most popular part i begin to wonder how that will work out with disney taking over marvel does that mean that universal will loose their rights to promote marvel in their own way??? i sure hope not.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:26 am
Marvel has been on the brink of bankrupsy for years, so I am not all that surprised that Disney’s buying them.
Considering that Disney owns a host of other properties (like Time Magazine and Miramax) and refrains from “Disneyfying” them, I think Marvel is OK.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:57 am
wow so i finally get to see buzz lightyear vs iron man!!!!!!!!!
September 1st, 2009 at 3:36 am
@Katey i find it hard to believe in recent years that Marvel have been close to bankruptcy. I know that happened quite some time ago but the problem was solved very quickly and they hardly got any scratches from it all.
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I believe since Xmen & Spiderman, Marvel have been pretttty well. I understand the gross of these movies doesn’t go primary into Marvels account, but a lot does. The rights to the movie has to be paid to Marvel, use of characters, Marvel are credited as producers on the movies – well i know Stan Lee is on some like Spiderman – and then they also collect a hefty amount from the box office too.
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To think Marvel have been close to bankruptcy since around the 2000 onwards era seems silly to me. They have made themselves much more of an empire since the release of their superhero movies. Not only that, interest in comics increase when movies are released, video games bring in quite a lot, soundtracks you name it!
September 1st, 2009 at 4:15 am
2 words:
XMEN MUSICAL
September 1st, 2009 at 6:00 am
Disney are close to running the world. This is scary!
September 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am
Well that means Northstar’s going back in the closet.
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 am
No no no no no !! This is soooooooo not on. There are multiple Marvel characters that are too adult for children that Disney will try and have killed off. Mystique will not be able to shape shift into males, her lesbian relationship wit h Destiny will be hushed up, Northstar will go back in the closet, Karma will have to find a guy to love not a girl, and all the sexy outfits will be removed. This is HORRIBLE NEWS. I vow to destroy Disney if they destroy my X-Men and Avengers – SpiderMan was destroyed by writers years ago.