Guardians of the Galaxy coming to Energy Pavilion at Epcot

[BlindChow]

No need to apologize, but that amount barely covers re-branding what they have. Not too mention the lost income from converting the hulk coast to the Jolly Green Giant Coaster® and other generalized elements of former Marvel attractions. I'd imagine several times higher to even entertain the possibility.

Disney could let them keep their current attractions, as it doesn't actually hurt the Marvel brand. I could see a deal that covers future attractions (though it would be very expensive).

 

[MisterPenguin]

Don't forget that Universal is paying Marvel/Disney a yearly cut for the continued use of the Marvel properties. So, Disney's getting paid. Uni might like an IP there that they don't have to pay their competitor for.

Although, converting Marvel Island to another IP would be tricky with Spider-Man.

Of course, in any possible renegotiation, there's always a sharing option where both can use Marvel IP.

 

[danlb_2000]

Don't forget that Universal is paying Marvel/Disney a yearly cut for the continued use of the Marvel properties. So, Disney's getting paid. Uni might like an IP there that they don't have to pay their competitor for.

Although, converting Marvel Island to another IP would be tricky with Spider-Man.

Of course, in any possible renegotiation, there's always a sharing option where both can use Marvel IP.

Spider-man would obviously be the hardest to re-theme, but Transformers shows that the ride system could be used for another IP.

 

[No Name]

Of course, in any possible renegotiation, there's always a sharing option where both can use Marvel IP.

I do find it funny that that's never considered as an option here. I think it's far more likely than Disney outright buying the rights back.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Don't forget that Universal is paying Marvel/Disney a yearly cut for the continued use of the Marvel properties. So, Disney's getting paid. Uni might like an IP there that they don't have to pay their competitor for.

Although, converting Marvel Island to another IP would be tricky with Spider-Man.

Of course, in any possible renegotiation, there's always a sharing option where both can use Marvel IP.

There is a decent likelihood that Marvel is Universal's cheapest license.

I do find it funny that that's never considered as an option here. I think it's far more likely than Disney outright buying the rights back.

What would Universal gain from such an arrangement?

 

[PizzaPlanet]

I wonder if they or USF will open their version first!

One advantage Disney has is that they will be able to work with their very own Marvel Studios, and use the likeness of Robert Downey Jr. and other actors from the MCU. It will be interesting to see how Universal goes about creating their attraction.

 

[Dave Z]

It would cost more than $200 million just to build a replacement land.

Does anyone know what Universal has invested. Then in the business world twice the investment would be fair.

 

[No Name]

What would Universal gain from such an arrangement?

Money.

I never said I think it'll happen, I just think it's more likely than Disney ever outright buying the rights back. Disney wouldn't want to spend that kind of money, and I doubt Universal would want to have to retheme or replace Super Hero Island.

It's like your chance of winning the local charity raffle vs. the Powerball lottery. Neither are likely, but one is moreso than the other.

 

[Fantasmicguy]

Can't agree here. Epcot is in a desperate state of urgent investment. I think the best we can do is be glad there's money being spent and hope for the best.

I have to agree here. See I know I don't talk much on this forum and I would hate to offended anyone but EPCOT Center is dead. And it's been dead for a while. This doesn't make me happy but I think it's best that the park is completely re-imagined as oppose to the park holding on its former glory. So maybe it would be better if the park completely starts a new path that is well invested in and thought out.

 

[Princess Leia]

I'm sure the chances are slim to none of this happening, but I would love to see an XMen ride that has a facade of the School for the Gifted. If Uni wants to redo Superhero Island they should put a lot more effort into a better XMen attraction, and get rid of Doctor Doom for something better.

 

[Rodan75]

I do find it funny that that's never considered as an option here. I think it's far more likely than Disney outright buying the rights back.

I don't see Disney spending the money on this, but they have plenty of parks worldwide where they can put Marvel attractions.

I actually can see a world where Disney will be allowed to use the IP not included in Uni's contract. As much as we think these companies are bitter rivals, they actually have plenty of symbiotic relationships...including distributing Disney music, so technically they are already making money off of Guardians.

The only way Uni gives up their Marvel rights is if they have an IP they own 100% that Comcast believes will drive more revenue and profit than Marvel.

 

[Kman101]

I have to agree here. See I know I don't talk much on this forum and I would hate to offended anyone but EPCOT Center is dead. And it's been dead for a while. This doesn't make me happy but I think it's best that the park is completely re-imagined as oppose to the park holding on its former glory. So maybe it would be better if the park completely starts a new path that is well invested in and thought out.

I agree

 

[Rodan75]

The reference to the character schedule does not say if it does or does not define the family relationships, so that is your own speculation. It is a listing of characters available for Universal to use and is immediately followed by the inclusion of future characters.

You are right. I don't know for certain that the families are defined, the contract doesn't specify exactly what is in those character details. But because it isn't stated specifically we know that you can't say that GoTG automatically will become Avengers family when they appear in Infinity War. The bottom line is that we don't know what is in those unattached schedules.

If your thinking was correct, then as soon as they appeared in an Avengers comic or cartoon, then they wouldn't be able to do Meet and Greets with GoTG or Dr Strange at DHS. The MCU could not be more heavily weighted than any other media, unless that is written in an addendum that we can't see.

My point is you can't say things with any absolute certainty. We simply don't know what is specified in the unattached schedules.

 

[Rodan75]

I'm sure the chances are slim to none of this happening, but I would love to see an XMen ride that has a facade of the School for the Gifted. If Uni wants to redo Superhero Island they should put a lot more effort into a better XMen attraction, and get rid of Doctor Doom for something better.

Disney will likely not touch the X-Men in the parks, so it would make sense for Uni to maximize their presence.

 

[BrianLo]

Big difference between what the Marvel license is worth and what the Marvel license is worth to Universe because they have infrastructure invested in it.

Marvel isn't worth hundreds of millions of dollars East of the Mississippi. No themepark operator would ever pay that, Disney or otherwise. Universal does however have hundreds of millions of dollars tied to that franchise in hard product.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You are right. I don't know for certain that the families are defined, the contract doesn't specify exactly what is in those character details. But because it isn't stated specifically we know that you can't say that GoTG automatically will become Avengers family when they appear in Infinity War. The bottom line is that we don't know what is in those unattached schedules.

If your thinking was correct, then as soon as they appeared in an Avengers comic or cartoon, then they wouldn't be able to do Meet and Greets with GoTG or Dr Strange at DHS. The MCU could not be more heavily weighted than any other media, unless that is written in an addendum that we can't see.

My point is you can't say things with any absolute certainty. We simply don't know what is specified in the unattached schedules.

I have made no definitive statements regarding the status of the Guardians of the Galaxy. From the beginning, my point has been that the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War has the potential to create a large-scale public association. As such, Universal would have nothing to lose to at least try and make a claim for the characters.

 

[2351metalcloud]

The clause that mentions the character schedule also includes future characters. That schedule defined who Universal would be able to use in developing the land, it did not lock down the families that were used. A big summer blockbuster establishes a large public connection. I know there is precedent that would agree that Marvel decides what is and isn't, but it also seems crazy that Disney could do something as simple as move a character on a spreadsheet and end Universal's rights. And regardless of whether or not the argument would fly, why not at least give it a try?

How would the GOTG in the movies be considered to be future characters relative to when that document was written as it seems like you are saying?

 

[Rodan75]

I have made no definitive statements regarding the status of the Guardians of the Galaxy. From the beginning, my point has been that the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War has the potential to create a large-scale public association. As such, Universal would have nothing to lose to at least try and make a claim for the characters.

If Uni had a case here, I think they would have pressed it already (maybe they did and lost?)

Disney has more to gain by pushing out multiple Avengers rides outside of Orlando, the more Disney uses Marvel the more pressure Uni has to update the land, otherwise it becomes Uni's brand that diminishes by association.

I can't see Disney doing anything too aggressive here, but passive aggressive definitely seems to be in their wheelhouse (DLP/HK negotiations).

Uni's social media may be aggressive, but these companies are too symbiotic to fight too viciously.

We'll see the next move shortly. Will Uni and Disney both announce Avengers rides? Aren't Avengers rides supposed to be the next projects at both IoA and DCA? Will IoA fit into this Marvel Theme Park Universe that is rumored (I still find that concept suspect)?

 

[lazyboy97o]

How would the GOTG in the movies be considered to be future characters relative to when that document was written as it seems like you are saying?

Characters created as part of one group have become part of other groups. Captain America predates the Avengers by two decades. The film rights to Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are shared between Fox and Marvel Studios because of their associations with both the X-Men and Avengers.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If Uni had a case here, I think they would have pressed it already (maybe they did and lost?)

Universal cannot make a claim based on something that might happen in the future.