Disney to acquire Marvel in deal worth $4 billion

The Walt Disney Co. today announced that it had agreed to acquire comic-book giant Marvel Entertainment, creator of such characters as Iron Man and Spider-Man, in a cash-and-stock deal worth an estimated $4 billion.

The acquisition would give Disney access to a library of more than 5,000 characters -- several of whom have inspired major films for other Hollywood studios. Marvel, meanwhile, gains the clout of Disney's ability to take a popular character and make money on it through films, television and licensed merchandise.

“We believe that adding Marvel to Disney’s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation,” said Disney President and Chief Executive Robert A. Iger.

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel, including its more than 5,000 characters. Ike Perlmutter, the comic-book company's chief executive officer, will oversee the properties and work directly with Disney to build and integrate Marvel’s properties.

Iger has shown a willingness to make key acquisitions to bolster the company. In 2006, he negotiated a $7.4-billion deal that brought Pixar Animation Studios, the creator of such successful films as "Toy Story" and "Cars," in house.

[URL="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/08/disney-to-acquire-marvel-in-cash-and-stock-deal-worth-4-billion.html"]
Los Angeles Times[/URL]

New York Times

*Falls to knees and screams at sky*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Disney better not mess with Deadpool.

Luckily im not a major comic person, but this still comes as bad news.

Inb4MarvelIsFullOfDancingFaeries.

I just hope Disney doesn't screw with adult-oriented comics.

LF> Kingdom Hearts 3 - now with Marvel characters. Deadpool summoning plz.

Really though... I hope they don't screw up anything with Marvel. As long as they don't mess with the comics, I'm fine.

...
oh, look, its the horn to call out wormwood.
should i blow it?

Oh yeahhhh, Kingdom Hearts 3 including Marvel characters!

No offense, that's sounds kinda gay...
Hard to imagine Sora teaming up with Spiderman to fight the Green Goblin =/
Or with Batman against the Joker...
And etc.

Except Batman is DC.

And as long as Deadpool isnt in it I dont mind it, I feel like they're going to soften the mature nature of some of the characters though to appeal to a wider audience, as disney often does.

As much as I love Kingdom Hearts and Deadpool, I would never want the 2 together.

You're all forgetting that Kingdom Hearts 3 will NEVER be released.

I already lost hope in it.
Someone please prove me wrong.


Disney's starting it's plot to rule the world by buying every major corporation already? They should've at least partnered with or destroyed their other major contenders in the race to world domination: McDonalds, Wal-Mart, the tobacco industry (lol), and, the most evil corporation of them all, Nexon.

Oh wait nvm.

After thinking on it a bit - I honestly don't think the comics will soften up, just because Disney owns Marvel now. Sure, the movies might be a little lamer (compared to the comics themselves, they've always been lamer), but I think they'll leave the comics alone. They'll let Marvel continue doing what they want to do - and Disney will just earn money, and be able to legally use Marvel characters and settings in whatever random things they do.

Yes and no, marvel makes a substantial sum, to be sure, but Disney has and always has had a thing for increasing the audience for any given product. Its possible everything will remain the same, but I dont think Disney bought the company for the sake of owning it, I think they'll do something with it, and broadening the audience ("softening" the characters and stories) is right up their alley.

But who can really say at this point?

This is very true, but when I think of Disney, I think of movies. Iron Man was a huge hit last summer, and I think Disney will want to capatalize on the movie aspect more than the comics.

Blah. I guess I'm just trying to convince myself that they'll leave the comics alone, and just let them be what they are now. As stated though, who knows? It is too early to jump the gun and make assumptions.

I just hope Disney doesn't screw with adult-oriented comics.

Agreed.

This might not be as bad as people think it could be... Disney is a freakin' huge company, and owns, for example, Pixar, Miramax (Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Chicago, and much more!), and ESPN. If they're smart they'll leave the Marvel characters alone and provide the millions of dollars necessary to finance more movies.

Definitely expect to see Marvel characters running around Disneyland though...

Agreed.

This might not be as bad as people think it could be... Disney is a freakin' huge company, and owns, for example, Pixar, Miramax (Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Chicago, and much more!), and ESPN. If they're smart they'll leave the Marvel characters alone and provide the millions of dollars necessary to finance more movies.

Definitely expect to see Marvel characters running around Disneyland though...

Don't forget that they own ABC, one of the biggest channels on TV.

Agreed.

This might not be as bad as people think it could be... Disney is a freakin' huge company, and owns, for example, Pixar, Miramax (Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Chicago, and much more!), and ESPN. If they're smart they'll leave the Marvel characters alone and provide the millions of dollars necessary to finance more movies.

Definitely expect to see Marvel characters running around Disneyland though...

Thinking of it in this sense, they better fund me a Deadpool movie.

This movie has already been confirmed, my friend.

http://www.scificool.com/deadpool-movie-confirmed/

Wow, Disney is buying everything. Whats next Southperry?

Wow, Disney is buying everything. Whats next Southperry?

yes. Chinchilla 3D movie.

ROFL, a nicer, snugglier Punisher.

yes. Chinchilla 3D movie.

no. jUst no. go watch that one chinchilla moive Disney made.