Avengers vs. Avatar (Hypothetical Poll Based Somewhat in Reality)

[tomman710]

I think it's safe to say there is a reasonable chance that The Avengers will usurp Avatar as the highest grossing film of all time.

I think for the sake of argument we can also assume that the main (not the only reason mind you, perhaps, but the main) driving force behind Disney's decision to purchase theme park licensing rights to Avatar was the box office take and potential box office take of sequels. (Note: I didn't reference knee jerk reaction to Harry Potter.)

Let's make one more assumption ... without having exact figures I think it's a safe assumption to say that Avengers merchandise, apparel, etc ... has far outsold anything from Avatar.

So my question is ... would it not be more prudent to take the money earmarked for Avatar and buy out the Universal agreement with Marvel and start building Marvel/Avengers based attractions. I am sure Universal will not make it economical (although I am sure the contract has some sort of opt out clause) but to me with the assumptions outlined above I think it’s fair to say that even with the high up front money to regain the rights for WDW The Avengers as an attraction, merchandise, and theme park entertainment would be far more popular and profitable than Avatar. (Obviously this could not go in the space planned for Avatar it’d have to go in the Studios but the relevance for this discussion is focused on money, how will TDO/WDW allocate money over the next 4-5 years if they only have money for one, especially considering there is a greater chance of Avengers 2 hitting theaters before Avatar 2.)

To support my question ... here's a poll ... what would you rather see TDO/WDW spend money on ... Avatar or Avengers?

 

[nolatron]

While Avatar may have been a "blockbuster hit" at the movies financially, I think Avengers is a stronger property as it's been around for almost 40+ years, has die-hard fans to the franchise through all it's various forms and probably appeals to a much larger audience today than Avatar ever would.

I'd go for something Avengers at HS (but only at HS).

 

[Vader2112]

Unfortunately I do not think Avengers will surpass Avatar. Simply based upon the timing of the release. Avatar had nothing up against it in a winter release. Avengers faces a Summer of Blokbusters. Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, Amazing Spideman, MIB III and Brave.

Would love to see Marvel in a Park but Unfortunately not going to happen in Florida with the rights held by Universal.

So my vote in a perfect world would be Avengers or Marvel Universe.

 

[imagineer boy]

If I had to choose between Avengers and Avatar I would choose Avengers in a heart beat. But I personally chose "somthing totally original" because I'm tired of marketable characters shoved down our throats all the time and I really do want somthing original.

 

[tomman710]

If I had to choose between Avengers and Avatar I would choose Avengers in a heart beat. But I personally chose "somthing totally original" because I'm tired of marketable characters shoved down our throats all the time and I really do want somthing original.

For the record ... I totally agree with you. I think Disney is being shortshighted in thinking Avatar is a better idea than Beastly Kingdom, but unfortunately the marketplace we are living in is being driven by franchise, cross promotional opportunities, and infinitely marketable characters.

I think for the sake of my argument I operated under the assumption that Disney is looking for some kind of franchise to put into the parks, which I would say is obvious or else why go after Avatar? So if they MUST have a franchise why not use one that is in house, more popular, and potentially more profitable.

But yes I'd rather have Beastly Kingdom in AK probably over anything ... although thats not totally dismissing Marvel, I think they would have their place in the parks and I'd love it.

 

[bhg469]

Unfortunately I do not think Avengers will surpass Avatar. Simply based upon the timing of the release. Avatar had nothing up against it in a winter release. Avengers faces a Summer of Blokbusters. Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, Amazing Spideman, MIB III and Brave.

Would love to see Marvel in a Park but Unfortunately not going to happen in Florida with the rights held by Universal.

So my vote in a perfect world would be Avengers or Marvel Universe.

The way I see it, avatar sequel has 0 chance at repeating its box office success at the box office. Avengers 2 will match the original at least. People refer to avatar as a franchise and while it is, I don't feel that we will be talking about it 20 years from now. Avengers... maybe. Star wars and Indiana jones, and possibly wizard of oz are really the only draws that will be drawing record crowds to Disney. And that's not happening sadly.

 

[tomman710]

I am really surprised a couple people voted Avatar, basically over anything else ... I just didn't think the fans were out there for it that would want it over anything else, so I guess I was wrong ... very interesting ...

Unless ... are there Disney execs with accounts who are trying to drum up buzz and excitement for their future endeavors?

 

[Captain Chaos]

Since we are basing things in reality, and there is no reality where Avengers comes to WDW, then I'll vote for Avatar... We have a better chance at seeing pigs fly than Avengers in WDW...

 

[Captain Chaos]

I am really surprised a couple people voted Avatar, basically over anything else ... I just didn't think the fans were out there for it that would want it over anything else, so I guess I was wrong ... very interesting ...

Unless ... are there Disney execs with accounts who are trying to drum up buzz and excitement for their future endeavors?

No, you want it based in reality.. Reality is, Marvel CANNOT be put into WDW, therefore no Avengers... Avatar CAN BE put into WDW however.. So reality is, Avatar over Avengers..

 

[Vader2112]

The way I see it, avatar sequel has 0 chance at repeating its box office success at the box office. Avengers 2 will match the original at least. People refer to avatar as a franchise and while it is, I don't feel that we will be talking about it 20 years from now. Avengers... maybe. Star wars and Indiana jones, and possibly wizard of oz are really the only draws that will be drawing record crowds to Disney. And that's not happening sadly.

Agreed... Avatar has no legs... The production of the sequel has been pushed back a few times as well.
I too would love something original with cutting edge tech but most of the entertainment industry today relies on brand recognition. Building on Marvel would be great but again can not happen here in FL. Unless Disney somehow can either convice a court to see it there way regarding the rights Universal holds or else spending a lot of money to disolve that contract.

 

[captainkidd]

Neither.

And The Avengers is not going to pass Avatar. It's starting to level off this week, and there are some major releases coming out in the next few weeks. It's going to lose the majority of it's IMAX screens to MIB 3. It will probably end up about $200 million short of Avatar.

 

[luv]

I don't like Avatar and may be the only American who hasn't bothered to see the Avengers. Not interested in either in the parks, really.

But if they had to pick one, I'd go for Avengers. It would be something for boys...and I just so much don't care for this Avatar thing.

Me, I'd like more classic Disney stuff. Instead of trying to copy Uni (and instead of stupid Avatar), they should focus on what they have...and on more good movies, like the Mermaid, BatB, Aladdin and even Lion King. Make some good movies, with good plots, characters, SONGS and villains.

Disney can't be Uni. They have to be Disney. I don't know why they can't see that.

 

[MarkTwain]

I picked Avatar. :shrug:

Its tone just seems more "Disney" to me. I can imagine how the jungles of Pandora will work in a family-oriented themed environment much more easily than I can the explosions and shattering buildings of the Avengers. Regardless of box office receipts.

 

[tomman710]

No, you want it based in reality.. Reality is, Marvel CANNOT be put into WDW, therefore no Avengers... Avatar CAN BE put into WDW however.. So reality is, Avatar over Avengers..

Technically I said "based SOMEWHAT in reality" and the "somewhat" part recognizes that Marvel will PROBABLY never be in Disney without paying an outrageous sum to Universal.

But to say that it could never happen, alebit unlikely, is flat out wrong, unless you say there is no price Universal would accept to sell out the contract with Marvel ... which if you said that you'd be incorrect. Everything has a price.

The whole reality of my question was ... SHOULD Disney consider allocating the funds from Avatar to buy out the licensing agreement and then build attractions.

I'd be curious to know your answer to the question I originally posed.

 

[wm49rs]

Technically I said "based SOMEWHAT in reality" and the "somewhat" part recognizes that Marvel will PROBABLY never be in Disney without paying an outrageous sum to Universal.

But to say that it could never happen, alebit unlikely, is flat out wrong, unless you say there is no price Universal would accept to sell out the contract with Marvel ... which if you said that you'd be incorrect. Everything has a price.

The whole reality of my question was ... SHOULD Disney consider allocating the funds from Avatar to buy out the licensing agreement and then build attractions.

I'd be curious to know your answer to the question I originally posed.

But they're not going to, should or otherwise. There's quite simply no need. They are getting easy money every year in licensing fees from Universal, all the while enjoying the success of Marvel movies, merchandise, television shows, etc. And they have a number of parks worldwide (and even in the U.S.) to place new Marvel rides and/or attractions.

Universal has no incentive to sell because the success of Marvel helps draw people into their Florida park. It's truly a situation where a contract of this nature is actually somewhat beneficial to both sides.

Besides, should Avatar come to fruition in WDW, it gives Disney a decent opportunity to meet any future challenges Harry Potter poses at USF.

One can speculate about the "right amount of money" being spent to break the contract, but the reality is neither side has any incentive whatsoever to do so.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I picked Avatar. :shrug:

Its tone just seems more "Disney" to me. I can imagine how the jungles of Pandora will work in a family-oriented themed environment much more easily than I can the explosions and shattering buildings of the Avengers. Regardless of box office receipts.

I voted Avatar too.

The explosions and violence and destruction of superhero franchises clash with WDW's emotional tone. It is a better fit for Universal.

 

[nolatron]

I voted Avatar too.

The explosions and violence and destruction of superhero franchises clash with WDW's emotional tone. It is a better fit for Universal.

But the explosions, violence and destruction in Avatar is a better fit for WDW? :shrug:

IMDB's Parent Guide gave both movies a 7/10 for Violence & Gore

Other ratings:

______/nudity
Avatar 5/10
Avengers 2/10

Profanity
Avatar 6/10
Avengers 3/10

Frightening/Intense Scenes
Avatar 7/10
Avengers 4/10

Total Scores:

Avatar: 26/50 This film contains alot of violence, but it is mostly action-packed rather than detailed violence. The nudity and implied ______ scene are a bit much for young audiences, and there is quite a bit of language, although no f-words. Appropriate for 14 and up.

Avengers: Total: 19/50 (no recap)


Point is: either way ya go, both are equally violent movies.

 

[bhg469]

Besides, should Avatar come to fruition in WDW, it gives Disney a decent opportunity to meet any future challenges Harry Potter poses at USF.

One can speculate about the "right amount of money" being spent to break the contract, but the reality is neither side has any incentive whatsoever to do so.

I don't believe avatar has nearly the following potter has. Avatar was a draw because the movie was a spectacle and had a lot of hype. Potter has fans, die hard fans. I'm not a fan of either but people will be talking about harry potter decades from now. Avatar will be nothing. And I have my doubts this will go through in the scope that we were promised.

 

[hurricanepat]

Though the Avengers was one of the most entertaining movies I have seen in a long time I voted for Avatar. I voted for Avatar simply because of the world that they can bring to life and create if Disney doesn't hold back on it. Whether someone is fan or not i feel there is a lot of material for Disney to take an incorporate into a land.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Technically I said "based SOMEWHAT in reality" and the "somewhat" part recognizes that Marvel will PROBABLY never be in Disney without paying an outrageous sum to Universal.

But to say that it could never happen, alebit unlikely, is flat out wrong, unless you say there is no price Universal would accept to sell out the contract with Marvel ... which if you said that you'd be incorrect. Everything has a price.

The whole reality of my question was ... SHOULD Disney consider allocating the funds from Avatar to buy out the licensing agreement and then build attractions.

I'd be curious to know your answer to the question I originally posed.

Should they? Absolutely not... You have my answer...

And Will Disney be willing to give hundreds of millions, if not a cost in the billions for those rights??? No... Does not make financial sense... You have to think here and not base your opinions on your love for Disney.... As has been said 1,000,000,000 times before, Disney is very happy with the way things are right now with Marvel in Universal...