Stan Lee's reaction and first effects of the Disney-Marvel deal

There is something we must never forget about this $4B Disney-Marvel deal: This would have never happen without the genius of a lot of Marvel artists since the 1960's , and especially one man: Stan Lee.

When i heard this amazing news yesterday, knowing that Stan Lee already had a deal between Disney and his company POW! Entertainment, i thought that he may have been the go-between between Disney and Marvel - a bit like Roy Disney was for the Pixar deal some years ago. Finally, it was not the case, as you will learn it from Stan himself in this interview recorded yesterday.





As everybody is wondering what will happen now, what effects on theme park attractions, animation, etc this deal will have - like Honor Hunter did in his excellent articles on Blue Sky Disney - here is the first effect and it's not necessarily a bad news for Marvel fans. As Variety revealed it 20th Century Fox is starting "the process of overhauling one of its big Marvel Entertainment franchises, “Fantastic Four”.
Although the 2005 “Fantastic Four” and 2007 sequel “Rise of the Silver Surfer” directed by Tim Story were not as great as fans would have hope, the new Fantastic Four movie could be better as "The studio has hired Akiva Goldsman as producer...and a new script will be written by Michael Green, the “Heroes” co-executive producer who co-wrote “Green Lantern,” the Martin Campbell-directed Warner Bros film"

Also, "Though Marvel Entertainment owns and finances properties like “Iron Man” and “Thor”, Fox controls “Fantastic Four” in perpetuity as long as it continues making the films". The important words here are "as long as it (Fox) continues making the films".
There is little doubt that yesterday's announcement was an electro-shock to 20th century Fox. In two words, if they want to keep the license, they better do these films, and quick!

By the way, it's interesting to know that "Fox has the same arrangement on Marvel Comics properties “X-Men”, “Daredevil”, and “Silver Surfer” - which, despite an appearance in the "Fantastic Four" sequel, is still a Fox priority for a solo film".
So, may be we will finally see a Silver Surfer movie...the Silver Surfer is my favorite Marvel character and i'm waiting for that movie since 40 years!

Variety also says that "Marvel is a producer and financial participant through a licensing agreement signed before Marvel franchises had the drawing power they have now. In fact, the original deal was made back when Marvel was struggling to pull itself out of bankruptcy in 1997". With yesterday's deal Marvel is definitely out of bankruptcy and the first good effect of it is that all Hollywood Studios who have a license with Marvel have definitely understood that it's time to move their ass if they want to keep these licenses. And if they could produce real good Marvel Superheroes movies, that would be even better.

Have a look at the Variety full article here and to the excellent "Disney's purchase of Marvel is a super deal" L.A .Times article too.

Video: copyright FOX

Breaking News : Disney buy Marvel Entertainment and acquire ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters.

Unbelievable. Just when i thought there won't be any big news before the D23 Expo, Disney announces that the company buy Marvel Entertainment Inc for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing characters like Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E.

Under the deal, Disney will acquire the ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters. Many of them, including the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, were co-created by comic book legend Stan Lee who - what a coincidence - already have a deal between Disney and his company Pow Entertainment since many months.

This is a major deal for Disney - and Marvel, too - and it will be interesting to see what effect it will have on theme parks. There is plenty of super-heroes at Marvel who would make great attraction concept. What? Universal already have a deal? Remember Islands of Adventure Marvel Superhero Island? That's right, that's why i tell you it's will be interesting to follow the effect of this $4B deal in years to come. Very interesting, really.

In the meantime, here is the official Disney Corporate release!

DISNEY TO ACQUIRE MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT

Worldwide leader in family entertainment agrees to acquire Marvel and its portfolio of over 5,000 characters

Acquisition highlights Disney's strategic focus on quality branded content, technological innovation and international expansion to build long-term shareholder value

Burbank, CA and New York, NY, August 31, 2009 —Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:MVL) in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration.

Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

"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 Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney."

"We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," Iger said.

"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 Chief Executive Officer. "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."

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney's global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel's properties.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.

Text: copyright Disney

Picture: copyright Marvel

Week-end update : Tron 2 , Stan Lee " Time Jumper " project with Disney , Imagineers Harriet Burns and Randy Pausch died...

Some interesting news for the week-end, beginning of course by the presentation at San Diego's Comic Con of three minutes of Tron 2. More about it in the Jim Hill article and a full description of what the lucky guys at the Comic Con have seen on Ain't it cool.com. You can also see these three minutes of Tron 2 on a youtube video HERE. You better hurry to watch it on youtube before the WDC asked it to be removed!

Also, legendary comic-book creator Stan Lee and Disney may have a deal on a new project announced Variety :

The Walt Disney Co. has reupped its first look pact with POW Entertainment, the production shingle run by comicbook vet Stan Lee.
Two-year deal covers movies, TV, publishing, games, online and mobile entertainment.

Lee co-created the Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, Hulk, Daredevil and Fantastic Four characters while at Marvel Comics.

As part of the pact, Mouse has greenlit "Time Jumper," a digital comicbook series that Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will produce and distribute across multiple platforms.

Project revolves around the character of Terry Dixon, an agent of the secret government org HUNT (Heroes United, Noble and True), who has a cell phone called the Articulus that's also a time machine. When his brother is lost in time, Terry must try to find him before an a criminal cartel does.

Disney Interactive Media Group's Disney Online and Disney Publishing Worldwide will also develop their own content based on the property that consumers will be able to download as single or multiple episodes. A comicbook will also be published.

"Time Jumpers" is the latest project for Lee at Disney, who has also set up three other pics, including "Nick Ratchet," to be helmed by Richard LaGravenese; "Blaze" and "Tigress."



Sad news from WDI as two Imagineers have died : Disney Legend Harriet Burns was 79. During her WDI career she worked on the design of Sleeping Beauty Castle, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, and also all the singing birds of the Enchanted Tiki Room. In 2000 she became a Disney Legend.

Randy Pausch, also a Disney Imagineer, died of cancer at 47. Don't miss his “Last Lecture” video entitled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" , you can watch it on the Disney Blog.

Stan Lee news: copyright: Variety.com

Photos: copyright Disney

Disney and Stan Lee will team on three pictures !

Variety announced today - and it seems to don't be an april fools - that Walt Disney Pictures and Stan Lee have set three projects that will be executive produced by Lee and Gill Champion and their POW! Entertainment.

The troika of projects will each be based on a story by Stan Lee.

"Nick Ratchet" will be written and directed by Richard LaGravenese. Larry Jacobson and Sonny Grosso are in talks to produce.

"Blaze" will be written by Gary Goldman.

"Tigress" will be written by Zoe Green. State Street Pictures' Robert Teitel and George Tillman will produce.

I must add that Stan Lee really always amaze me : he's now 85 years old, and still developing projects just like when he was 30! What a great man! Excelsior!

Source: Variety.com