In looking through some articles on the $4 billion purchase of Marvel Comics by Disney, I found that Marvel will honor all of its pre-existing agreements with other distributors, with Disney having no intention of stepping in on those.
What does that mean? Well, Sony can continue its plans for Spiderman 4, Paramount can continue on its 5-year deal with Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, and the rest of the Avengers.
In fact, Fox just announced today it is planning a reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise. It owns the rights to the FF “in perpetuity”, meaning as long as it continues to make the films, it will continue to hold the rights.
So…let’s see. Disney is content to let all of the truly popular and famous Marvel franchises just chug along as normal with other distributors? Hardly makes sense to spend $4 billion for properties you have no intention of working with for the better part of a decade.
Then again, it may just be about more than just movies. Disney’s golden touch isn’t just in films, no no. They are the mack daddy GENIUSES at marketing and merchandising.
Disney is likely thinking, “Sure, Sony and Paramount, go ahead and make your blockbusters. Meanwhile, we’ll rake in the dough from all of toys, games, and knick knacks.”
Will they get proceeds from DVD sales, too? Hmm, maybe Disney ain’t so dumb after all….
