News Disney and Fox come to terms -- announcement soon; huge IP acquisition

[brodie999]

Breaking News: Marvel may start introducing the Fantastic Four and X-Men into the MCU sooner than expected.


The highly-anticipated Disney/Fox deal is reportedly set to close next month and with it, Marvel Studios will suddenly have hundreds of additional characters they'll be able to use in live-action properties. According to Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, properties based on the characters acquired in the Fox may enter development within the next six months.

Speaking on Variety's Playback podcast, Feige says X-Men and Fantastic Four-based properties could enter development in the earlier part of next year.
"No," Feige said when asked if he's been working with Fox-owned characters. "But we've been told it's looking very, very good and could happen in the first six months of next year."


It should be noted that the deal has hit a few snags in markets like Brazil and Mexico, even though it's expected to be a relatively easy deal to close. In addition to the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchise, Disney is purchasing a slew of other assets including blockbuster franchises like James Cameron's Avatar and Ridley Scott's Alien universe. Walt Disney Co. also ends up purchasing a handful of channels including FX, FXX, and FXM.


In addition to new franchises and channels, Disney will also acquire Fox's ownership of Hulu, giving the House of Mouse a majority stake (60%) in the streaming platform.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

I wonder if Disney will add Somewhere in my memory from Home Alone in future nighttime Holiday shows like World of Color Season of Light, and any other nighttime holiday show?

 

[mab7689]

Breaking News: Marvel may start introducing the Fantastic Four and X-Men into the MCU sooner than expected.


The highly-anticipated Disney/Fox deal is reportedly set to close next month and with it, Marvel Studios will suddenly have hundreds of additional characters they'll be able to use in live-action properties. According to Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, properties based on the characters acquired in the Fox may enter development within the next six months.

Speaking on Variety's Playback podcast, Feige says X-Men and Fantastic Four-based properties could enter development in the earlier part of next year.
"No," Feige said when asked if he's been working with Fox-owned characters. "But we've been told it's looking very, very good and could happen in the first six months of next year."


It should be noted that the deal has hit a few snags in markets like Brazil and Mexico, even though it's expected to be a relatively easy deal to close. In addition to the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchise, Disney is purchasing a slew of other assets including blockbuster franchises like James Cameron's Avatar and Ridley Scott's Alien universe. Walt Disney Co. also ends up purchasing a handful of channels including FX, FXX, and FXM.


In addition to new franchises and channels, Disney will also acquire Fox's ownership of Hulu, giving the House of Mouse a majority stake (60%) in the streaming platform.

The biggest Marvel related thing I want from this is to see the Fantastic Four, and by extension Dr Doom, The Silver Surfer and Galactus, finally done justice on the big screen.

 

[Rodan75]

I'm excited for Marvel to explore the Fox properties, but I'm also excited to see what a company that works so heavily in nostalgia does when they can dive deep into Fox's back catalog. Do they find new ways to mine those old movies and IPs to create new revenue streams or new franchises?

After the initial integration issues are resolved and folks start really digging in, I think it will be fascinating to see how 'new' Disney leverages all of the Fox content.

 

[mikejs78]

I'm excited for Marvel to explore the Fox properties, but I'm also excited to see what a company that works so heavily in nostalgia does when they can dive deep into Fox's back catalog. Do they find new ways to mine those old movies and IPs to create new revenue streams or new franchises?

After the initial integration issues are resolved and folks start really digging in, I think it will be fascinating to see how 'new' Disney leverages all of the Fox content.

Agreed. Also for anyone thinking Fox content won't go to the parks is fooling themselves. There may not be plans now, but I'm sure there will be post merger. Look how quickly ABC was integrated into the parks?

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

The biggest Marvel related thing I want from this is to finally see the Fantastic Four, and by extension Dr Doom, The Silver Surfer and Galactus, finally done justice on the big screen.

Ironic that you said that since the actor that portray Doctor Doom is in Runaways.

 

[brb1006]

The biggest Marvel related thing I want from this is to finally see the Fantastic Four, and by extension Dr Doom, The Silver Surfer and Galactus, finally done justice on the big screen.

The Fantastic Four deserves justice!

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

I think Galactus won't fully appear till a future Avengers film.

 

[bartholomr4]

The New York Yankees, owners of 20% of regional sports network YES, are in talks with Amazon and Sinclair Broadcast Group about a bid for the remaining 80% of it, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Disney is reviewing bids for the 22 RSNs owned by 21st Century Fox. As it moves toward the closing of its $71.3 billion acquisition of most of Fox, Disney has agreed with regulators to sell off the regional networks so as to avoid overlaps with ESPN. The worth of the entire portfolio has been estimated at $20 billion, but YES has an outsized share of that, with the current bidding valuing it at between $5 billion and $6 billion.

Talks are at an early stage, the Journal reported, and the Yankees have also approached cable distributor Altice USA about joining the effort. The team has priority with regard to the fate of the remaining 80% of the network, which is considered beachfront property given the size of the New York market and the national profile of the Yankees.

Reps from Amazon, Sinclair and the Yankees did not immediately respond to Deadline’s requests for comment. Amazon has pushed deeper into the live sports realm in recent years, acquiring streaming rights to the NFL’s Thursday Night Football and the U.S. Open tennis tournament in the UK. A regional sports network in some ways is the polar opposite of its core business, but sources have consistently told Deadline that it could thrive as a streaming partner with a more traditional network operator, as is the case with NFL games. NFL officials and team owners were satisfied enough with Amazon’s initial performance in 2017 that they re-upped with the tech giant for two more years, 2018 and 2019.

The Yankees have long worked with private equity firms on the financial strategy for YES, which launched in 2002 and ushered in an era of sports teams seeking more control of their own TV rights. Major P.E. firm Blackstone is also working with Sinclair on a bid for the larger portfolio, and executives at the leading local TV station owner have repeatedly indicated their keen interest in the RSNs.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Agreed. Also for anyone thinking Fox content won't go to the parks is fooling themselves. There may not be plans now, but I'm sure there will be post merger. Look how quickly ABC was integrated into the parks?

Aside from Marvel characters, there's precious little Fox IP to mine for the parks because Fox didn't gear their products to be as family friendly as Disney studios have. And the Fox properties that are family friendly are of an inferior quality, get lower critical and audience scores, and barely turn a profit. Furthermore, Disney has a deep bench of untapped IP for the parks to go through before raiding the Fox chest.

This was all about Disney+ and Hulu, not the parks.

 

[sedati]

Aside from Marvel characters, there's precious little Fox IP to mine for the parks because Fox didn't gear their products to be as family friendly as Disney studios have. And the Fox properties that are family friendly are of an inferior quality, get lower critical and audience scores, and barely turn a profit. Furthermore, Disney has a deep bench of untapped IP for the parks to go through before raiding the Fox chest.

This was all about Disney+ and Hulu, not the parks.

Night at the Museum comes to mind. It was good enough that Disney and Jon Favreau were going to do their own take on the concept, but in a Theme Park instead.

 

[Indy_UK]

Isn't Disney meant to be going full on with The Kingsman as they're version of James Bond?

 

[AnotherDayAnotherDollar]

Give me a Paddy's Pub and a Nightman Cometh musical at Hollywood Studios.

 

[SirWillow]

From EPICSTREAM: http://epicstream.com/news/TinyDiap...r-Expected-To-Come-To-A-Completion-Next-Month

Still, with the acquisition coming to a completion, the arrival of Fox’s Marvel properties into the MCU draws closer and closer, allowing the possibility of seeing the mutants play around with fan-favorite characters like Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket Racoon (Bradley Cooper) and so many others.

Maybe with Gaurdians, as I don't know what their contracts are, but most of the "original" Marvel universe movie form is done. Downey, Hemsworth, Evans, etc were on contracts that end with the Avengers movie coming out this next year, and that will wrap up most of it. If they use those characters in the future it'll be with new actors. Downey himself has said that he's loved doing Iron Man, but is looking forward to moving on to new things.

So you might (well, almost surely will) see Disney use a lot of the Fox Marvel characters in projects, but don't expect to see the actors we're used to in them.

Aside from Marvel characters, there's precious little Fox IP to mine for the parks because Fox didn't gear their products to be as family friendly as Disney studios have. And the Fox properties that are family friendly are of an inferior quality, get lower critical and audience scores, and barely turn a profit. Furthermore, Disney has a deep bench of untapped IP for the parks to go through before raiding the Fox chest.

This was all about Disney+ and Hulu, not the parks.

Very true, and you've hit the nail on the head. While there are a few properties they might use the vast majority are ones that they aren't going to want anywhere near their parks. At least not the parks they currently have. And with them pretty much abandoning the idea of a working studios/ park concept, that removes the one opening that many of them might have had.

Even the ABC things they brought into the parks were small in number, were at family friendly, and it was basically ads to watch the shows- and a lot of those shows were being produced by Disney in some form anyways. I'm not aware of any ABC themed rides, attractions, restaurants, etc like people seem to be hoping will happen with Fox. You're certainly not going to see the Fox animated series in the parks as they are almost directly opposite of the image that Disney wants to present in the parks.

Unless and until WDW or Disneyland gets an extra gate and new park, don't expect to see much of anything Fox in the parks outside of maybe a small add to watch was is currently on- and even then it will likely be very limited in what they would even put on that.

 

[brodie999]

Maybe with Gaurdians, as I don't know what their contracts are, but most of the "original" Marvel universe movie form is done. Downey, Hemsworth, Evans, etc were on contracts that end with the Avengers movie coming out this next year, and that will wrap up most of it. If they use those characters in the future it'll be with new actors. Downey himself has said that he's loved doing Iron Man, but is looking forward to moving on to new things.

So you might (well, almost surely will) see Disney use a lot of the Fox Marvel characters in projects, but don't expect to see the actors we're used to in them.



Very true, and you've hit the nail on the head. While there are a few properties they might use the vast majority are ones that they aren't going to want anywhere near their parks. At least not the parks they currently have. And with them pretty much abandoning the idea of a working studios/ park concept, that removes the one opening that many of them might have had.

Even the ABC things they brought into the parks were small in number, were at family friendly, and it was basically ads to watch the shows- and a lot of those shows were being produced by Disney in some form anyways. I'm not aware of any ABC themed rides, attractions, restaurants, etc like people seem to be hoping will happen with Fox. You're certainly not going to see the Fox animated series in the parks as they are almost directly opposite of the image that Disney wants to present in the parks.

Unless and until WDW or Disneyland gets an extra gate and new park, don't expect to see much of anything Fox in the parks outside of maybe a small add to watch was is currently on- and even then it will likely be very limited in what they would even put on that.

True. But Robert Downey Jr. said once in a interview he wants to be involved with the MCU longer than his current contractual commitments are structured, so a lot of fans think he's gonna sign a new deal after his current one's been concluded.

Anthony Russo said Chris Evans isn't done, playing Captain America yet. Evans himself stated he'd renew his contract with Marvel beyond Infinity War and Endgame and he's not confirming or denying his character will be dying in either film.

Chris Hemsworth who was bored with playing Thor had a change of heart, hinting that he's looking to extend his contract to keep playing Thor past Endgame as well. So many are left to wonder if the big 3 Avengers will stick around with the original actors playing the heroes longer than expected.

 

[AnotherDayAnotherDollar]

Maybe with Gaurdians, as I don't know what their contracts are, but most of the "original" Marvel universe movie form is done. Downey, Hemsworth, Evans, etc were on contracts that end with the Avengers movie coming out this next year, and that will wrap up most of it. If they use those characters in the future it'll be with new actors. Downey himself has said that he's loved doing Iron Man, but is looking forward to moving on to new things.

So you might (well, almost surely will) see Disney use a lot of the Fox Marvel characters in projects, but don't expect to see the actors we're used to in them.



Very true, and you've hit the nail on the head. While there are a few properties they might use the vast majority are ones that they aren't going to want anywhere near their parks. At least not the parks they currently have. And with them pretty much abandoning the idea of a working studios/ park concept, that removes the one opening that many of them might have had.

Even the ABC things they brought into the parks were small in number, were at family friendly, and it was basically ads to watch the shows- and a lot of those shows were being produced by Disney in some form anyways. I'm not aware of any ABC themed rides, attractions, restaurants, etc like people seem to be hoping will happen with Fox. You're certainly not going to see the Fox animated series in the parks as they are almost directly opposite of the image that Disney wants to present in the parks.

Unless and until WDW or Disneyland gets an extra gate and new park, don't expect to see much of anything Fox in the parks outside of maybe a small add to watch was is currently on- and even then it will likely be very limited in what they would even put on that.

These Fox properties should be licensed out to other parks. Something like Predators, Die Hard, Simpsons, Family Guy, AHS, IASIP, etc will never be in a Disney park, but they could get some extra revenue while promoting their IP on other parks. There's an argument to be made for and against licensing to someone in their proximity (i.e. Universal - and I think they have the Simpsons tied up until late 2020s WW IIRC), but they can choose to license to parks that are not within a 300 mile radius from a Disney Resort.

True. But Robert Downey Jr. said once in a interview he wants to be involved with the MCU longer than his current contractual commitments are structured, so a lot of fans think he's gonna sign a new deal after his current one's been concluded.

Anthony Russo said Chris Evans isn't done, playing Captain America yet. Evans himself stated he'd renew his contract with Marvel beyond Infinity War and Endgame and he's not confirming or denying his character will be dying in either film.

Chris Hemsworth who was bored with playing Thor had a change of heart, hinting that he's looking to extend his contract to keep playing Thor past Endgame as well. So many are left to wonder if the big 3 Avengers will stick around with the original actors playing the heroes longer than expected.

IMHO their roles should be diminished. Give me a Phase 4 with some new properties like Eternals and Miss Marvel, along, of course, X-Men and Fantastic Four goodness. I would also like to see Feige tackle and save inhumans. The comics were pretty great. Absence also makes the heart grow fonder, so make me miss Ironman, Cap, Avengers, and company before bringing them back. Only exception is Hulk because I want to see him fighting Thing and Wolverine.

 

[Rodan75]

I would be fine if both x-men and FF go to Disney+ as big budget series and join in big Avengers cross-over type movies on the big screen.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I would be fine if both x-men and FF go to Disney+ as big budget series and join in big Avengers cross-over type movies on the big screen.

Unfortunately Marvel TV and Marvel Studios don't play well with each other.

And we should relentlessly shame them for that.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

These Fox properties should be licensed out to other parks. Something like Predators, Die Hard, Simpsons, Family Guy, AHS, IASIP, etc will never be in a Disney park, but they could get some extra revenue while promoting their IP on other parks. There's an argument to be made for and against licensing to someone in their proximity (i.e. Universal - and I think they have the Simpsons tied up until late 2020s WW IIRC), but they can choose to license to parks that are not within a 300 mile radius from a Disney Resort.

Well technically Disney could put The Simpsons in Walt Disney Studios park in Paris as part of a new land theme to 20th Century Fox by mixing it with Avatar, The Simpsons, and Blue Sky Studios , and use Alien vs Predator, and AHS for Halloween events targeted for teens, and adults or create a new Disney park for 20th Century Fox.

 

[djlaosc]

IMHO their roles should be diminished. Give me a Phase 4 with some new properties like Eternals and Miss Marvel, along, of course, X-Men and Fantastic Four goodness. I would also like to see Feige tackle and save inhumans. The comics were pretty great. Absence also makes the heart grow fonder, so make me miss Ironman, Cap, Avengers, and company before bringing them back. Only exception is Hulk because I want to see him fighting Thing and Wolverine.

Exactly - don't kill off/recast Captain America/Iron Man/Thor - but don't necessarily have Cap 4/Iron Man 4/Thor 4 in Phase 4 (same as there wasn't an Iron Man film in Phase 3 - keep them for the Avengers films and supporting roles such as in Spiderman: Homecoming.