Disney-Marvel Entertainment Merger Stuns Fans

Disney and Marvel Entertainment are now one, despite how different Disney and Marvel are. Disney bought Marvel Entertainment, and all of Marvel's famed heroes and villains, in a $4 billion deal today. The Disney Marvel merger has Disney adding yet another branch to its empire, while Marvel Entertainment will certainly face changes ahead. But does this mean the Disney Marvel pairing will Disney-fy all of Marvel's rough and tough superheroes? At the least, it should give the Marvel characters a healthy future in theme parks

The Disney Marvel deal broke today, as Marvel Entertainment is being bought for $4 billion dollars and $30 a share. Of course, shareholders and antitrust boards have to approve the deal first, but if it goes through, two vastly different entertainment empires will come together.

Disney already owns a few networks, and countless billions of cartoon characters. Now Disney has its tentacles in the comic book world as well, as all of Stan Lee's creations and Marvel's other notorious heroes and villains are now owned by the Mouse.

Most everyone who commented on the merger predicted that the likes of Spider Man and Iron Man could be Disney theme park staples in no time. Of course, since Marvel Entertainment's content is quite different from Disney's usual fairy-tale and teen pop music brand, comic book fans are probably a little concerned.

According to Disney CEO Bob Iger in an interview with CNBC, Marvel Entertainment's characters will not be re-branded, but some lesser known Marvel characters might get added exposure. Iger also wanted the Disney Marvel merger to attract male comic book fans, since Disney is already overrun with screaming teenage girl fans thanks to Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

Disney has also purchased Marvel Entertainment at a time where it can help their movie division as well. Marvel is busy making their own film adaptations of Iron Man, the Hulk and more, and eventually plans to bring them all together for a movie version of The Avengers.

By the time that vision is carried out, Disney could get in on some of the action. One has to wonder if Pixar would also have a place at this table - Pixar did already break into the superhero genre with The Incredibles, which owed a bit to Marvel's Fantastic Four.

Is the Disney Marvel Entertainment deal a move worthy of Tony Stark, or Dr. Doom? Time and lots of new merchandising are sure to tell.

Sources

Chicago Tribune- "Disney acquiring Marvel Entertainment Inc" www.chicagotribune.com/topic/orl-bk-disney-marvel-entertainment-083109,0,4292276.story

NYTimes.com- "Disney to Buy Comic Book Powerhouse Marvel for $4B" www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/31/business/AP-US-Disney-Marvel-Entertainment.html

Aint It Cool News- "Spider-Man, Thor, Captain America, The Fantastic Four, And Friends Have All Been Owned By Mickey Mouse!!" www.aintitcool.com/node/42204