How Did Disney Acquire Marvel Entertainment?
It first started with Disney CEO Bob Iger bringing up the acquisition idea to Marvel film chief David Maisel. About three months of intense back-and-forth negotiations, the $4-billion deal was struck and announced August 31, 2009.
But how did it all go down? The LA Times tells you how.
In a new development that could sour slightly Disney’s acquisition of Marvel Entertainment, Jack Kirby’s heirs want to reclaim the rights to his creations.
These creations include Marvel powerhouse icons the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Hulk.
It doesn’t mean Disney can’t use the characters, but it does mean they may have to pay the family half of any royalties – and the family will also have the right to license out those franchises.
Stay Up-to-date with Disney’s D23 Expo from Your Home!
Are you like me and can’t attend the awesome mega convergence of Disney goodness at the inaugural Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA?
Fear not! You can keep up-to-date on all the exciting happenings from your home or work!
Twitter is all ablaze with updates and pictures from the event. Bloggers and podcasters are reporting first-hand reports from the Anaheim Convention Center.
Here’s who I suggest following for D23 Updates. Actually I recommend following these cool Tweeps besides just for D23 information! I enjoy having them as Twitter friends. They are listed in alphabetical order, with some additional notes, where necessary.
- AllEarsDeb
- AllEarsNet
- beci_mousefan
- D23Expo_Al
- DarthGoofyIsD23
- DisneyD23 – Official Twitter Account of D23; you can also find Official Expo updates on the D23 web site.
- disneyfan2008
- DisneyORama
- disneyshawn
- DonaldDuckDad
- findingmickey
- gsorvig
- HeavenisDisney
- loumongello – Host of the WDW Radio Show podcast who’s streamling LIVE at Expo! Check it out!
- macmantoo
- medarcie
- michaelkreagan
- nancybroadway
- NDM_1
- NextJenn_1701
- NWOL – posted some GREAT TwitPics of Disney Channel stars!
- otisney
- stitchkingdom – Blogger providing AWESOME on-the-scene updates. Go read them!
- themouseforless
- TouringPlans
Although Jessica (lady_aurora on Twitter) isn’t attending, she is one of the most eager follow-alongers of the D23 happenings online. I must credit her for giving me the idea for this blog entry. I had already amassed my D23 Expo Twitter resources in a group in TweetDeck so once I saw that Jessica had written a blog entry with her resources, I figured I should follow suit! So DAP to you, Jessica!!! 
Definitely check out Jessica’s blog, The True Disney Fan Blog and read her blog post on D23 Expo Away From the Expo as she has some resources I might’ve missed.
LOST to have Two Interactive Booths at Disney’s D23 Expo
Francois Chau “Dr. Pierre Chan” and Sterling Beaumon “young Benjamin Linus” will represent the hit ABC TV series LOST at an Exclusive Trading Card Signing, Saturday, September 12th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm!
Fans can also see authentic show props, costumes and real set pieces at two interactive booths on the floor of the Anaheim Convention Center at the Disney D23 Expo.
DocArzt and Friends’ LOST Blog also reports:
Also, right next door, view a sneak peek of campus life and see what it’s like to be at LOST U! There will be a booth displaying LOST U life and how you can be a part of this live experience on Bluray! And, last but not least, Saturday from noon-2pm, there will be Lost Trading Cards and autograph signings from two special cast members – and don’t forget to pick up your Lost exclusive pin! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any true fan.
I’m a huge LOST fan! I’d would love to check out all this LOST goodness. Anyone want to send me an extra LOST pin?
We’re asking those that are going to the D23, to send us in reports from the Expo.
Call the voice mail line at 206-350-2422!!!
E-mail us at podcast@magicneverends.
Send us a Twitter update at twitter.com/MagicNeverEnds!!
Be our on-the-scene correspondent!
Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis to Appear at D23 Expo
Disney announced on their Official D23 Twitter page the following EXCITING news!!
BREAKING EXPO NEWS! Tim Burton & Robert Zemeckis to appear at Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios Dick Cook’s presentation Friday.
Definitely amazing news! But heart-breaking as well, since we are unable to attend the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA.
Check out the official Expo schedule.
On the official D23, Disney is asking that if you’re coming to the D23 Expo, to help those in need and bring canned food items to help The OC Food Bank.
And we’re asking those that are going to the D23, to send us in reports from the Expo.
Call the voice mail line at 206-350-2422!!!
E-mail us at podcast@magicneverends.
Send us a Twitter update at twitter.com/MagicNeverEnds!!
Be our on-the-scene correspondent!
Reaction to Disney Marvel Deal
Fans and industry representatives offer reactions to today’s announcement of the Disney’s acquisition of Marvel. Newsarama has some great quotes and thoughts on today’s big news.
Disney to buy comic book powerhouse Marvel for $4B
WOW! Two of my favorite geek properties are now in the same family?!?!
The Walt Disney Co. announced Monday the acquisition of 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.
You know I love Disney. But maybe you didn’t know that I’ve grown up reading X-Men comics and loving those mutant super-heroes. The Iron Man movie RAWKED and the Iron Man: Armored Adventures cartoon is beautiful and neat. The Spider-Man comics, in my strong opinion, are finding a resurgence with strong storytelling.
Disney said the boards of both companies have approved the transaction, but it will require an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.
I got all geeky giddy when reading current Head Mouse, Robert Iger said:
“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. 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.”
Ike Perlmutter, Marvel’s Chief Executive Officer is positive on the acquisition:
“Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses. 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.”
Oh my!! My geeky mind is racing with the “significant opportunities” of “value creation” of Marvel characters in the Disney mega-media machine!! Will we see Spider-Man and the X-Men walking around Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Will there be an Iron Man adventure ride? How about an Marvel Superheroes / Disney team-up computer game like Disney did with the Final Fantasy characters in Kingdom Hearts?
Paramount and Sony, I believe, still hold the rights on Marvel movie distribution for the next few years, so we’ll need to wait for Disney’s influence on Marvel movies.
I just can’t fully fathom the creative future possibilities that now exist with these two giants of media in one house!
The social networks, especially Twitter, are exploding with this news! Most are shocked by this news. The reaction seem positive, with everyone voicing how they think Disney should handle the Marvel franchise.
What is your reaction to this news? How would you like Disney to integrate the Marvel characters into the Disney Universe? What do you think are some possibilities from this acquisition?
As Stan Lee would say, “Hold on True Believers!”
Click over the Travelears web site to read the full details of the deal.
Disney CEO Says You Might One Day Pay For Hulu Content
According to an Associated Press report, Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger believes consumers are willing to paying for online content from Hulu. In April, Disney joined Hulu founders, NBC Universal and News Corp, by providing TV shows and movies to the site. Iger also spoke of Disney’s plans for a subscriber-based web site that would offer TV shows, movies and games for a price.
At first read, I was upset. Most networks provide free TV shows on their web site. Why charge? But it all depends on what content Iger means. Is he talking about a Netflix-type site? Or will it be Disney Channel and ABC programming that is currently offered for free? Hopefully, he will provide further details.
What do you think? Is Iger right? Are you willing to pay for online streaming content? Let us know!
Hulu Starts Showing ABC Content
Five episodes of Grey’s Anatomy from Season five are now available to Hulu users, PC Magazine is reporting.
Hulu announced that, as part of the Hulu Days of Summer promotion, more ABC shows will launch. This new content will include current hits like I Survived a Japanese Game Show and The Superstars, as well as popular shows like Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and Scrubs.
Museum to honor life of Disney
Many people don’t know the story of Walt Disney the man. His story has become forgotten or many people him to be a made-up corporate figure.
But the man that has brought joy to millions upon millions of people worldwide – a 20th-century innovator needs his full story told. Who better to tell it than his descendants?
“My dad’s story is an inspirational story,’’ Diane Disney Miller said. “I want people to understand his character and how he pursued his career.’’
The story of Walt Disney will unfold at The Walt Disney Family Museum, openning this fall in San Francisco.
