Marvel

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

it must bother Universal to some degree that for every t-shirt they sell Disney gets some money.

Universal doesn't care about this. Universal bought the Marvel rights back in the days when Marvel was struggling and desperate. Universal is paying Marvel now just as they always have. The fact that Marvel is now owned by Disney is irrelevant. Uni has the upper hand in the arrangement and they're not going to ever give them up. They wouldn't have invested millions in the 3D makeover at Spiderman if that were the case. And there's nothing Disney can do about it.

Sorry guys, but I think the Marvel contract with Universal is ending sooner than later.

Sorry, ain't happening. Ever.


BobK/Orlando

 

[doconeill]

Universal likely doesn't care one way or the other...they pay the same amount whether Marvel is owned by Disney, Stan Lee, General Motors, the guy who claims he owns all of Stan Lee's creations, or me.

They might be more concerned if they wanted to negotiate something new (say, they'd like to do something in Hollywood, since they let that clause in the original agreement expire), or need certain approvals - but I also doubt that Disney/Marvel would be too hardball on approvals either, because Universal could take them to court and tie up everything, and especially if it's something Disney can't use anyways, wouldn't make ANYTHING on it if they don't let Universal do it.

Disney did not buy Marvel for the parks...

 

[Robbi]

actually i view it completely different...people watch these movies and say i want to experience these rides...guess ill go to universal

kind of like when disney family channel shows harry potter movies
both benefit

Yes, Uni loves the publicity that brings folks into their parks.

 

[SammySlythers]

it must bother Universal to some degree that for every t-shirt they sell Disney gets some money

You think that's bad? Fun Fact: Universal gets all the collectible wands and time turners etc. for Wizarding World from a 3rd party company called the Noble Collection. Guest what? Last year Disney bought the Noble Collection! Every time Universal sells a wand - Disney makes money.

In all seriousness though, Universal is pretty happy with the current Marvel arrangement since Disney's Avengers movie brought in a ton of people who spent a ton of money on souvenirs. At the end of the day as long as they spend money in their parks Universal is happy.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Guest what? Last year Disney bought the Noble Collection! Every time Universal sells a wand - Disney makes money.

The Noble Collection is a private held company. The Noble Collection is not owned by The Walt Disney Company.

 

[mattsdragon]

Where is the contract?

I want to read it, and I'm too lazy to google it.

 

[pilferk]

Sorry guys, but I think the Marvel contract with Universal is ending sooner than later. There's more to the quick build of the Transformers (very similar to Spider-Man) than they're telling. In a recent interview, Bob Iger admitted that they are limited to what they can do with Marvel in WDW and DL. But, he also said that there was behind the scenes talk about "assuring the Marvel legacy". Still, I think it will be a while before we see any big Marvel attractions at WDW. According to several sources that I've read, Disney was already at work designing a Star Wars theme park for WDW when they first made the merger announcement. My question is more about what will happen if Disney buys Hasbro and has the Transformers rights?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. That being said, there is a ton of evidence, not least of which is the multi-million dollar upgrade to Spidey that Uni did about a year ago, that indicates the deal isn't ending any time soon.

There are basically 2 realistic ways that the deal ends: Uni decides to end it or Disney pays Uni a ridiculous (think close to a billion dollars) amount of money to "convince" Uni to end it.

Uni has given no indications they're even considering ending the deal (in fact, quite the opposite, given the capital investment in Spidey).

A Disney buyout of the deal makes pretty much zero fiscal sense. Uni would want Disney to cover the costs already incurred for Marvel Island, the costs to redevelop the area into something with similar appeal, cover the lost revenue that would result in shuttering that area for redevelopment AND a premium "bonus" to let the IP go back to Disney. Then Disney would have to pay to develop the Marvel attractions at WDW. I don't see any reason why Disney would do that, all things considered.

 

[pilferk]

Where is the contract?

I want to read it, and I'm too lazy to google it.

There's a copy out on one of the SEC web sites (in the form of an SEC filing). There are other discussions of the Marvel/Uni contract here on the disboards, and there is a link in one of those threads.

I don't have it bookmarked on this PC, or I'd just post you a link....

 

[disneyworld1977]

http://http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/12/disney-marvel-theme-park

This is a little old, but I am out of the loop usually.

What is everyone's thought of them building a Marvel Park compared to introducing the rides at the parks where they are able?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I don't see any reason why Disney would do that, all things considered.

Exactly.

BobK/Orlando

 

[DanBoris]

Where is the contract?

I want to read it, and I'm too lazy to google it.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/dex1057.htm

 

[DanBoris]

it must bother Universal to some degree that for every t-shirt they sell Disney gets some money

and every ride is helping Disney synergy to some degree

This sort of thing goes on in a lot of areas of the media buisness. Take Harry Potter for example. Universal is making a bundle from the theme park rights, Disney makes money off Potter because they own the TV broadcast rights (through ABC/ABC family), and a lot of people get access to ABC family through Comcast which owns Universal.

 

[bom_noite]

Universal's license for Marvel characters does not have an expiration date.

Universal has exclusive theme park rights "East of The Mississippi" for the Marvel characters it is now using and other characters associated with them. As long as Universal's Marvel Super Hero Island at IOA is "operated and maintained in a first class manner consistent with the highest standards of the theme park industry" and Universal continues to pay the licensing fee, Universal has the these rights forever.

Disney could expand Marvel into Disneyland immediately if the company wished to.

And Disney could expand Marvel into Walt Disney World immediately, if the company only used characters that are not being being used by Universal and are not heroes or villains associated with those characters.

Universal is doing an excellent job operating Marvel Super Hero Island at IOA. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is now even more amazing with digital 3-D projection.

Thanks, you answered an argument between my son and I (who just ended the College Program). He told me about Disney / Marvel plans.

My argument: There is no way Universal or any other company would have built any 100 to $300 Million ride with the possibility the character could be pulled out under their feet.

I am certain you are right - I am vindicated!