Did Disney really buy Marvel?

[LeahA]

On our trip last week we heard a rumor that Disney bought Marvel, and the next theme park that they are going to create is going to revolve around Marvel Comics. Does anyone know if that's true, and if so what does that mean for Universal?

 

[ChrisFL]

Yes, Disney did buy Marvel, but no, Universal still has rights "east of the mississippi" for the main Marvel characters it has at Islands of Adventure, and the contract is, from what I've heard, perpetual, meaning Disney is not going to be able to use those characters in WDW anytime soon.

However, they could build in any other Disney resort around the world.

 

[marius97]

Plus the Universal contract is only for the main characters from Marvel. I don't know specifically, but I think it boils down to whatever Universal already is using, they get to keep forever as long as they keep paying Disney the licenseing fee. It is rumored that Disney will go into the Marvel library at try to promote some of the lesser characters and turn them into bigger characters. I wouldn't expect a new park anytime soon. I wouldn't be suprised to see Marvel characters slowly apear in the parks...most likely DHS if you asked my opinion. I wouldn't expect anything too soon though.

 

[irishdadx4]

I also believe that Universal cannot make substantial changes to the way they are currently using their licensed characters without going back to Disney, the owner, and re-negotiating the contract/license. Meaning they can't make changes or updates to their rides....maybe that won't matter, but I would think at some point they would like to update the rides/attractions.

Disney just has to be patient...in the meantime it can just keep cashing those checks that Universal has to write each year......think they make the boss over there at IOA carry the check over to the Disney offices??

Mike

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I also believe that Universal cannot make substantial changes to the way they are currently using their licensed characters without going back to Disney, the owner, and re-negotiating the contract/license. Meaning they can't make changes or updates to their rides....maybe that won't matter, but I would think at some point they would like to update the rides/attractions.

Disney just has to be patient...in the meantime it can just keep cashing those checks that Universal has to write each year......think they make the boss over there at IOA carry the check over to the Disney offices??

Mike

A refurbishment within the same scope of the current attraction would most likely be not off limits. Universal is obviously looking for new themes and I think in the end the Marvel issue will not be big issue from either side.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Think they make the boss over there at IOA carry the check over to the Disney offices?

Universal makes their check payable to Marvel, not to Disney. Marvel is just one of the many companies owned by Disney. For IOA, nothing has really changed.

BobK/Orlando

 

[yitbos96bb]

Universal makes their check payable to Marvel, not to Disney. Marvel is just one of the many companies owned by Disney. For IOA, nothing has really changed.

BobK/Orlando

Except the Disney Corporation is now making money off of IOA... It's really win-win for Disney. Either they get paid or force a competitor to shutdown their best ride and guy a major land.

From my understanding Disney cannot build any rides with the specific characters in the rides at IOA... So No Hulk, Spiderman, Storm or Doctor Doom. There is an argument this could extend to the X-Men and Fantastic Four, but I don't know for sure. All of these films were produced with different studios and not solely by Marvel Studios (except for the new Hulk movie)... The current hot properties such as Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the Avengers were produced solely by Marvel Studios and are being distributed by Paramount. Because they are all produced under Marvel Studios, Marvel (and Disney) are able to cross them over at will. My guess is Iron man, Thor, and Captain America will be coming to the Studios (and/or one of the Cali parks) over the next few years with a ride or two, a "How to be an Avenger" show similar to the Jedi Academy and something else.... Much like many of us would love to see a "Lucasland", a "Marvel/Avengers land" would seem to be a probable idea.

My feeling is with Disney struggling to attract young boys in the way they do with girls, many parts of the Studios will be melded into a male centric area, just as the Fantasyland expansion is clearly young girl centric.

 

[jg121285]

My guess is Iron man, Thor, and Captain America will be coming to the Studios (and/or one of the Cali parks) over the next few years with a ride or two, a "How to be an Avenger" show similar to the Jedi Academy and something else.... Much like many of us would love to see a "Lucasland", a "Marvel/Avengers land" would seem to be a probable idea.

That would be great, those are my 3 favorite Marvel heroes. I would love to meet Cap and the Marvel heroes and villains would go great at DHS. Spider-man and Wolverine are the fan favorites but I could live without them at Disney.

Still I wish Disney had bought the DC characters since Warners Bros. does next to nothing with them except for Batman.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Except the Disney Corporation is now making money off of IOA.

That is true. But while you think it's a win-win for Disney, I think of it more as IOA getting the win. Sure, they're paying money to Marvel, but they were paying it anyway. It's really irrelevent. IOA has the upper hand in this because they have exclusive theme park rights to Marvel's very best characters. And Disney can't do anything about it from a theme park perspective. Disney can (and will) promote other characters but they're all second rate. Stick a stuffed Hulk or Spiderman in World of Disney though and they're just providing free advertising for IOA rides!

BobK/Orlando

 

[jheigl]

Does anyone think that this might be something like what Disney did with the Power Rangers? If my knowledge is correct, Disney bought the rights to the Power Rangers (or had some sort of licensing deal), but they didn't really do anything special with them...they had them as characters at MGM Studios (DHS), but there wasn't a ride or anything....now granted, Marvel is much bigger than Power Rangers and Marvel could certainly have it's own theme park, but for some reason, and without any proof, I just don't think that Disney will use Marvel as a main theme for anything...I don't even think they will have any big ticket attraction...maybe something like a Star Tours, but I don't see anything else...but I have been known to be wrong...and quite often!

 

[ChrisFL]

Does anyone think that this might be something like what Disney did with the Power Rangers? If my knowledge is correct, Disney bought the rights to the Power Rangers (or had some sort of licensing deal), but they didn't really do anything special with them...they had them as characters at MGM Studios (DHS), but there wasn't a ride or anything....now granted, Marvel is much bigger than Power Rangers and Marvel could certainly have it's own theme park, but for some reason, and without any proof, I just don't think that Disney will use Marvel as a main theme for anything...I don't even think they will have any big ticket attraction...maybe something like a Star Tours, but I don't see anything else...but I have been known to be wrong...and quite often!

Let's put it this way, Disney didn't buy Marvel for the theme park aspect of it.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I'm just happy that Captain America is going to be played by the hottest guy in Hollywood: Chris Evans.

 

[Jolly Ole Bert]

That is true. But while you think it's a win-win for Disney, I think of it more as IOA getting the win. Sure, they're paying money to Marvel, but they were paying it anyway. It's really irrelevent. IOA has the upper hand in this because they have exclusive theme park rights to Marvel's very best characters. And Disney can't do anything about it from a theme park perspective. Disney can (and will) promote other characters but they're all second rate. Stick a stuffed Hulk or Spiderman in World of Disney though and they're just providing free advertising for IOA rides

^ My thoughts exactly.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

Yes, Disney did buy Marvel, but no, Universal still has rights "east of the mississippi" for the main Marvel characters it has at Islands of Adventure, and the contract is, from what I've heard, perpetual, meaning Disney is not going to be able to use those characters in WDW anytime soon.

However, they could build in any other Disney resort around the world.

If east of the mississippi is correct then the rumored Disney purchase of land in Texas could be for a theme park that is heavily dependent on Marvel characters with some Disney added in. It would be an interesting concept.