Disney to Buy Marvel Options

[Dragonsend]

"Mickey Mouse, meet Iron Man; Spidey, this is Kermit."

The Walt Disney Company has announced that it intends to acquire Marvel Entertainment, the companies announced in a joint release Monday. The stock and cash transaction is worth $4 billion.

Let's check out the dueling CEO statements, shall we?

"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," said Robert A. Iger, President and CEO of the Walt Disney Company.

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel's CEO. "This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney's tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world."

So we know it's unparalleled. No word yet on how, if at all, this might affect the upcoming Iron Man and Spider-Man sequels. And personally, I think mouse ears will only add to Hugh Jackman's mystique.

All the fanboys in the house say: Yeah?

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Disney-Buy-Marvel-1009351.aspx

Disney to buy Marvel Entertainment.
The Walt Disney Co. (DIS-N26.84----%) says it is acquiring Marvel Entertainment Inc. (MVL-N38.65----%) 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.

I'm just wondering how this will affect the recent partnership with madhouse on doing an anime style version of these comics. I'm guessing that all current projects will continue as planned seeing as the sale isn't completely final yet and they are already in the works. Plus worried about marvel in general. Don't get me wrong. I like disney but I just don't see this as being a good thing. Perhaps I'm wrong and it will be a great thing. Only time will tell.

This post has been edited by Dragonsend: Aug 31 2009, 01:57 PM

[Sesshomaru]

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Disney-Buy-Marvel-1009351.aspx

I'm just wondering how this will affect the recent partnership with madhouse on doing an anime style of these comics. Plus worried about marvel in general. Don't get me wrong. I like disney but I just don't see this as being a good thing. Perhaps I'm wrong and it will be a great thing. Only time will tell.

To heck with the effect it'll have on the anime projects! I'm more concerned with the effect it will have on Marvel period. I just can't see Disney undertaking the storylines or make of these characters. This sucks. It sends bad vibes all through out my body.

[War Eagle]

As long as we don't see things like Iron Mouse or The Avengers starring Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Minnie I think we will be okay. The sale isn't final yet. It has to be approved by shareholders. Wonder what they will say?

This post has been edited by War Eagle: Aug 31 2009, 02:11 PM

[Kamahamaru]

Based on the reporting elsewhere, the model for this appears to be the merger/purchase of Pixar--essentially, leaving Marvel operating as its own business instead of assimilating it into the collective. Apparently most if not all of the media deals, such as the movie deals with Sony (Spider-Man), Fox (X-Men) and Paramount (Iron Man/Hulk/Captain America/Avengers) will remain in place at least until they come up for renewal. The talk now, as it often is in the early stages of such buyouts, is that they intend to leave Marvel's management in place.

An interesting part of this is that Disney has deals in place that are impacted by this as well. For example, comic books about the Muppets and Pixar characters are currently being published by another company, not Marvel. Also, Marvel Entertainment is not just comic books and movies--it's a pretty significant toy company (formerly known as "Toy Biz"). This potentially gives Disney its own toy manufacturer, if it does not already own one.

I hope this is correct. This guy makes a valid point with the toys and all too. As long as Disney and Marvel keep it seperate I'd say it's fine.

This post has been edited by Kamahamaru: Aug 31 2009, 02:22 PM

[Nuke Mayhem]

I doubt anybody saw this coming. I know I didn't. I'm not flipping out about it but what the heck does Disney have in comin with Marvel? You know all over the U.S.A. (if no the planet) geeks and Marvel fans are flipping out about this like it's the end of their comics.

[Megatron]

This is crazy and who knows how this will affect our Marvel Comics Heroes and Villians.

[Dragonsend]

I doubt anybody saw this coming. I know I didn't. I'm not flipping out about it but what the heck does Disney have in comin with Marvel? You know all over the U.S.A. (if no the planet) geeks and Marvel fans are flipping out about this like it's the end of their comics.

I'm hoping it is more of a merger like someone said. Disney doesn't have a lot in common with Marvel except both has created an exceptionally huge catalog of characters. Both are decent storytellers. True they may be totally different in those aspects but the fact remains the same that the catalog of characters they own the rights to if this deal goes through will be the largest in the world. Let's hope they stay true to the characters originality they acquire from Marvel. That is all we fans ask.

[Captain Jack Spa...]

What! I need some rum.

[Dante Vale]

I think the merger will make it better. Marvel will have access to more funds while Disney get more of an audience for some things. They seem to want to respect each other as a separate company but at the same time a team from what I have read. Marvel will be just another affiliate of Disney. I don't think it can be a bad idea if they handle it like I'm hearing so far.

[Rocky]

What became of this. I saw that Super Hero Squad cartoon today and it reminded me of this for some reason. I guess because it looked so Disney.

[Dragonsend]

Here's some earlier articles on it. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/conten...03095a909f2708e

http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/12/02/marve...inalize-merger/

And now...

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/disney-completes-marvel-deal

Disney has announced that it has completed its acquisition of Marvel.

Following the acquisition, Disney potentially has access to Marvel’s huge bank of assets which include over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over 70 years and businesses, including licensing, movie production and publishing.

Robert A. Iger, president and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company announced the deal, saying, "We believe the creative and business potential of this combination is substantial and can help us grow both our top and bottom line, leading to a significant increase in long-term shareholder value.”

Under terms of the deal, and based on the closing price of Disney on December 31, Marvel shareholders will receive a total of $30 a share in cash plus approximately 0.7452 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own.

End
So from what I can tell. Yes it went through and is final.

Here it is on the marvel site so that seals it:
http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.10809....vel_acquisition
http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.10811....e_disney_merger

Something to lighten your mood after this news here:
The Disney/Marvel Deal Might Result in This….
http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2009/09/...result-in-this/

[ToadMuffin]

I do not like it.

[Itachi Uchiha]

Remember the old spider-man theme. Well here is one starring Donald Duck for you. LOL. I was bored and reading this topic this just popped into my head.

Spider Duck Spider Duck
He really just don't, give a f**k
Spider Duck Spider duck
Runs you over in a mickey mouse truck
Look out here comes the spider duck.
Here comes the spider duck!