Disney + Marvel = ?!?!?!?!!

Boy oh boy. One wonders if Disney is aware that the economy is currently in one of the craziest recessions since the Great Depression. In case you have not heard the powerhouse news, The Walt Disney Company did a Walt Disney-esque gamble and bought Marvel Entertainment for 4 billion dollars. This news apparently comes shortly after plans for a Magic Kingdom expansion was discovered. They say there’s another expansion planned for Animal Kingdom. Then there’s the expansion for Disney’s California Adventure. So, what does this mean? Basically, Disney is relying on the money-making storm of Marvel to help cover the costs that will be approaching as the company tries to enhance at least four of their parks (Hong King Disneyland is the fourth).

So what does this mean for all of us? Well, a lot of things will happen, and a lot of potential is uncovered upon this acquisition that most could not have seen coming. After all, Disney is family entertainment and Marvel…well…doesn’t have that reputation. The mere idea that Disney now owns Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Punisher, Hulk, the Avengers, Iron Man, and thousands of other comic book characters is quite surreal. What else does this mean? Using the vast knowledge of pointless trivia and vast knowledge of here-say that I possess, I have crafted a list of results that are stemming from this crazy news story.


#1: Universal Studios is advertising Disney

No boys and girls, Disney did not buy out a section of Universal IOA. What it looks like is that Marvel had crafted an agreement with Universal to use their comic book characters. But now, Marvel is owned by Disney (with all approval passing). So, this means that IOA’s most popular ride, Hulk, is based off of a Disney-owned asset. This means that IOA’s most acclaimed ride (Spider-Man) is based off of a Disney asset. Which all in all means: Universal Studios is actually advertising for Disney, and Disney doesn’t have to pay a cent.

Isn’t payback fun? After all, Disney couldn’t get the Harry Potter rights. So they decide to stick it where it hurts, by sneaking into what Universal has and thought they could safely keep. According to Iger, talks for this acquisition started a few months ago, so this sounded like a blindside hit to Universal that none of the competitors ever saw coming. While Disney says they will respect the partnership that is obviously within the park grounds, Universal probably can’t help but feel a bit cheated, as now everyone will begin associating Marvel with…Disney.

#2: Marvel in the Parks? Not Now.

With Marvel still in Universal, if Disney were to honestly pursue a theme park based off the comic book heroes they will have to wait a very long time. And even after waiting, can a park like that truly be well-themed? While yes there are thousands of potential characters, they all have very different time periods, different themes, different settings, and different tones. So, the best that could happen is that Spider-Man, Iron Man, and others will find themselves dwelling in Hollywood Studios in the mere future signing autographs. That’s pretty much the best they can do, and that’s pretty much all we can hope for in terms of their future at theme parks. I just hope they don’t move Spider-Man The Musical to Hollywood Studios. That would be quick soul-crushing.

P.S. However, Comic Book Weekends isn’t a far-fetched idea.


#3: Viva La Comic Book Revolution

With Disney behind the wheel, we shall definitely see a major push for a comic book revival. Imagine that: a comic book based off of The Incredibles, or even the hijinks of Mickey, Goofy, and Donald. With Downtown Disney containing a lot of unused land (and also housing a Diana display that is sure to be taken down soon) will there be a massive comic book store in the mere future?


#4: Marvel video games will still suck.

Yep.


#5: Pixar and Marvel. The possibilities…….

Pixar and Marvel used to talk a little when the only movie studio with a flawless success record was fighting with Eisner (who does that?) and the company was threatening to move on. Now they are united and on the same team. What does this mean? Prepare yourself: Pixar versions of Marvel superheroes. That would be utterly incredible. Great comic book characters getting the Pixar treatment under the Disney budget. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. And for the doubtful, remember that Pixar has had a hand in creating one of the better superhero movies of all-time: The Incredibles.


Bottom Line: Disney and Marvel is a bizarre paring, but one that makes sense nonetheless. With Marvel and Pixar in the same team, the potential for amazing films increases even more within the Disney realm. As long as Disney does the Pixar treatment (Deliver the budget, leave them alone) then there is no reason for any of the fanboys to really panic. Disney's focus is on grabbing the tween boys market, an area they don't have much success in (on the other hand, they have alll the ladies ages 6-19). Their focus is television, after all, Sony owns Spider-Man movies, X-Men films belongs to 20th Century Fox, and even Fantastic 4 has gone elsewhere.

Disney isn't focusing on making movies, but instead making money from these movies. Its a simple and extremely effective strategy that is sure to make stockholders happy.

As for Universal. You better come up with a backup plan right about now. You guys are in a heap of trouble.