More Marvel at Disney World? Maybe?

[GLaDOS]

It's going to be Twilight in Spiderman form.

No, it's not.

Marc Webb only directed a bs teen angst movie before.

You mean a movie that was nominated for a Golden Globe as well as a ton of other awards. Yea, that movie sucked.

Raimi is an icon.

In horror, maybe. His Spider-man films were camp out the ying yang. ASM will blow them out of the water.

 

[Bob Saget]

The director of this film isn't Nolan.

I know. I was using Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins/Dark Knight trilogy as a reference that reboots can turn out nicely, as that one certainly did. I was using Nolan as an example in that he picked up a Batman series which had ended *horribly* in the 1990's...started fresh with a brand new trilogy, and it turned out brilliantly.

Marvel can do the same thing with Spidey (hopefully). Spider-Man 3 was a stink-fest (imo). But if this rebooted series is done correctly, just like Nolan (example) took a dead Batman series and started fresh with Batman Begins (once again, example), then we could be in store for a great franchise with Spidey in the years to come.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

It's going to be Twilight in Spiderman form. Marc Webb only directed a bs teen angst movie before. Raimi is an icon. You people don't know how good you had it honestly. This is like going from Tim Burton to Joel Schumacher. Although, actually Shcumacer is a better director and was more tested than Marc Webb, so maybe that's not fair. This smacks of corporate bean counter decision making. That's why a nobody director was chosen. They wanted someone cheap who can be bullied by the studio into letting Sony make the creative decisions like they tried to force on Raimi with Spiderman 3.

People don't understand film. Raimi was the reason those Spider-Man films were so good. The 3rd one was underwhelming, but one was sensational and the second one was even better and compares to the Nolan Batman films.

The new Spider-Man films will not match what Raimi did pure and simple, you cannot go from a superstar director like Raimi to a no name like whoever is directing the new ones and expect them to be as good.


Jimmy Thick-There is a reason those movies made billions, called Raimi...

 

[SleepingMonk]

TDO genius!

Disney is advertising for Universal and their Hulk coaster.

Maybe Disney will put Spidey up on top of SSE next.

X-Men fighting inside Tower of Terror.

 

[Disday]

I've heard a rumor that Disney has bought out the Marvel theme park rights. It says that Universal has the rights until the end of the year. They can keep their attractions after that, but can't add any more. I know it's probably from some fan boy, but there has been talk about this for a few years. However, there are a few reasons why such a deal wouldn't surprise me. First, last year Disney struck a lucrative deal with Comcast to allow them to run the Disney ABC channels. This must have been worth well over $100 mil. Iger could have added the park rights to secure the deal. Second, Spider-Man has been upgraded and the Marvel section has been refurbished. If the rumor, is true, they would want to spend to have the attractions in top shape if nothing new was on the drawing board. So, why wouldn't they announce this? We know how secretive Disney is and this could also be a part of the deal. Time will tell.

 

[Skip]

I've heard a rumor that Disney has bought out the Marvel theme park rights. It says that Universal has the rights until the end of the year. They can keep their attractions after that, but can't add any more. I know it's probably from some fan boy, but there has been talk about this for a few years. However, there are a few reasons why such a deal wouldn't surprise me. First, last year Disney struck a lucrative deal with Comcast to allow them to run the Disney ABC channels. This must have been worth well over $100 mil. Iger could have added the park rights to secure the deal. Second, Spider-Man has been upgraded and the Marvel section has been refurbished. If the rumor, is true, they would want to spend to have the attractions in top shape if nothing new was on the drawing board. So, why wouldn't they announce this? We know how secretive Disney is and this could also be a part of the deal. Time will tell.

Right. A rumor from what source, exactly? This would be well publicized if true, and in any a case Disney would never agree to allow Uni to keep its current attractions - way too much guest/brand confusion.

 

[danlb_2000]

Right. A rumor from what source, exactly? This would be well publicized if true, and in any a case Disney would never agree to allow Uni to keep its current attractions - way too much guest/brand confusion.

Brand confusion would probably be an issue, but this scenario wouldn't surprise me. As has been discussed Universal doesn't have a major incentive to give up Marvel, so Disney could use a deal where they keep what they have as a bargaining point.

 

[Freshee61]

I voted for Disney Not blending in marvel. Just not fitting and I don't see he need for it when they can add more star wars stuff to hs and keep Disney in Disney. They have enough material to work with. IMO.
Ps i love topher grace !!! Hehhe

 

[Skip]

Brand confusion would probably be an issue, but this scenario wouldn't surprise me. As has been discussed Universal doesn't have a major incentive to give up Marvel, so Disney could use a deal where they keep what they have as a bargaining point.

Trust me, Disney doesn't want to build Marvel attractions if the Universal ones a remain - that's bad business sense for the both of them. Universal wouldn't want that, either. I doubt Disney wants its Marvel attractions compared to Spider-Man (a decade old ride they have yet to top).

 

[Hakunamatata]

I voted for Disney Not blending in marvel. Just not fitting and I don't see he need for it when they can add more star wars stuff to hs and keep Disney in Disney. They have enough material to work with. IMO.
Ps i love topher grace !!! Hehhe

If Power Rangers fit in at DHS, Marvel characters darned sure do......

 

[Disday]

Universal likes to tell the press that they have the Marvel characters in perpetuity. There is no such thing as a contract that lasts forever. Contracts are reviewed every few years. The details of the deal have not been made public. Some people have released a statement that Universal made regarding the contract. Does anyone have a link to this? The true details are a guessing game at best. I've heard that the deal expires 'soon', perhaps even this year. Allegedly, Disney will still allow Universal to keep their Marvel attractions in a similar deal as the current one, except for exclusivity.

 

[Powerline]

With the publicity around Marvel entering the Disney Universe I don't see why we haven't seen more Marvel around the parks.

I also want to see Ms. Marvel and Black Widow at WDW but that's just me

 

[Skip]

Universal likes to tell the press that they have the Marvel characters in perpetuity. There is no such thing as a contract that lasts forever. Contracts are reviewed every few years. The details of the deal have not been made public. Some people have released a statement that Universal made regarding the contract. Does anyone have a link to this? The true details are a guessing game at best. I've heard that the deal expires 'soon', perhaps even this year. Allegedly, Disney will still allow Universal to keep their Marvel attractions in a similar deal as the current one, except for exclusivity.

You really should stop listening to your "sources." There are plenty of contracts that last "forever," or in this case, "in perpetuity." Contracts may be reviewed for holes, but they aren't put on parole (which is what you seem to be suggesting). The details of the deal (aka the contract) HAVE been made public as they are public record and can be read and analyzed in full; members of this forum and others have done so and have determined that there is no expiration date. Universal gets the Marvel characters in theme parks east of the Mississippi as long as it would like to have them. It isn't expiring soon, it isn't expiring this year. That would make no sense - Universal just spent $$ upgrading its Spider-Man ride as well as purchasing new walk-around character costumes. Marvel isn't going anywhere.

Furthermore, even if the contract was set to expire (which it isn't), Disney would never allow Universal to keep its current attractions sans exclusivity - that would make no sense to them. Marvel Attractions in both resorts simultaneously would only cause Disney's Marvel attraction(s) to not only be compared with the Universal's universally acclaimed (pun intended) Spider-Man ride but also cause confusion among guests.

I seriously have no idea why you continue to perpetuate these ideas.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Universal likes to tell the press that they have the Marvel characters in perpetuity. There is no such thing as a contract that lasts forever. Contracts are reviewed every few years. The details of the deal have not been made public. Some people have released a statement that Universal made regarding the contract. Does anyone have a link to this? The true details are a guessing game at best. I've heard that the deal expires 'soon', perhaps even this year. Allegedly, Disney will still allow Universal to keep their Marvel attractions in a similar deal as the current one, except for exclusivity.

The details were made public by the SEC years ago and I have posted links to the contract on several occasions.

III. TERM
Once THE MARVEL UNIVERSE opens within the above time period, the term of this agreement shall continue for so long as a THE MARVEL UNIVERSE shall remain open (and operated consistent with the standards of the next paragraph below) at any Universal Theme Park (allowing for temporary closures for force majeure events or refurbishment/maintenance provided they are being diligently pursued), except for termination for material breach (with written notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure).

Each THE MARVEL UNIVERSE shall be operated and maintained in a first class manner consistent with the highest standards of the theme park industry and shall be deemed “open” only when operated in such manner (subject to temporary closures for force majeure events as described in the prior paragraph).

At such time as any THE MARVEL UNIVERSE is no longer open at a particular Universal Theme Park, all exclusivity and marketing rights acquired by MCA as a result of the opening of such THE MARVEL UNIVERSE at such Universal Theme Park, as set forth in Section IV below, shall terminate and this Agreement shall thereafter be construed as if the notice of intent to open THE MARVEL UNIVERSE had not been given by MCA.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/dex1057.htm

 

[Disday]

Actually, the details in the SEC were not the contract. The real contract has been kept from the public. It makes one wonder why Universal would want to keep it a secret if they're so sure they have the rights 'forever'. My guess is that there is an expiration date on the contract, as there is for all of the islands. If someone were to produce the actual contract, which none in the media have been able to do, and it claims they have the rights in perpetuity, then I would believe Universal's claims. I assume the reason it hasn't been made public is for Universal to save face. So, whether it's this year or four years from now, I'm sure Disney knows and has big plans for Marvel and Florida.

 

[maxairmike]

Actually, the details in the SEC were not the contract. The real contract has been kept from the public. It makes one wonder why Universal would want to keep it a secret if they're so sure they have the rights 'forever'. My guess is that there is an expiration date on the contract, as there is for all of the islands. If someone were to produce the actual contract, which none in the media have been able to do, and it claims they have the rights in perpetuity, then I would believe Universal's claims. I assume the reason it hasn't been made public is for Universal to save face. So, whether it's this year or four years from now, I'm sure Disney knows and has big plans for Marvel and Florida.

If what you say is correct, how would you even know it isn't the actual contract, or at least the edited-for-security "short" version? Really interested to know what you're getting at, as this would be news to quite a few knowledgeable people here on this subject as far as I can tell.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Actually, the details in the SEC were not the contract. The real contract has been kept from the public. It makes one wonder why Universal would want to keep it a secret if they're so sure they have the rights 'forever'. My guess is that there is an expiration date on the contract, as there is for all of the islands. If someone were to produce the actual contract, which none in the media have been able to do, and it claims they have the rights in perpetuity, then I would believe Universal's claims. I assume the reason it hasn't been made public is for Universal to save face. So, whether it's this year or four years from now, I'm sure Disney knows and has big plans for Marvel and Florida.

The SEC does not post mock or fake contracts. Parts have been censored, but that relates almost entirely to specific dollar amounts. Nothing would have been gained from this deal being kept private. Marvel at the time was hurting and Universal having perpetual rights to the characters gave Marvel a nearly guaranteed source of income each year.

 

[Disday]

What was presented to the SEC is a generalized 'statement' of Universal/MCA and their plans for the second gate. I've read several articles that claim that the actual contract has not been made public. In order for a contract to hold up it has to be Very specific. It would have to call everything by their correct names. They refer in the 'statement' to Marvel Universe. We know that isn't what they eventually called it. The contract would also have to have the correct name of the company - Universal does not go by MCA anymore. Therefore, a new contract would have to be drawn up and updated. All of the other islands have a renewal date. Why would the Marvel Island be any different? No company would enter an open ended contract. People are free to believe what they want to about it. I'm not here to argue, just to state my point.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Contracts are not rewritten every single time a company is acquired or changes names. If you would actually read the contract you would realize that it does use specific names and even contains clauses that allow for the names to change. If you knew your history you would know that Marvel would be bankrupt just two years after this contract was signed, nobody else was interested in Marvel and they need the money.

The copy of the contract I have been linking to was filed on January 20, 2010. Long after MCA was dissolved and even after the purchase of Marvel was approved!
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/0001193125-10-008732-index.htm

 

[slappy magoo]

Before Disney bought Marvel, Paramount acquired the rights to make movies based on Iron Man. They released Iron Man & its sequel, but Iron Man 3 will be released by Disney. Why? Because Disney wanted it bad enough to make a deal with Paramount, which Paramount accepted.

Furthermore, in order to release The Avengers, it had to work with Paramount Studios to be allowed use of Captain America & Thor, and to work with Universal which had the rights to make Hulk movies. Why? Because it's what Disney wanted.

If Disney decides it wants Marvel properties in its parks, they'll try to make a deal. I'm not saying they'll succeed, but they'll try.

Quite frankly, what I can imagine is for Disney to not only offer Uni a boatload of cash, but the rights to Avatar-land, access to Imagineers who will help retrofit existing Marvel-themed rides in Islands of Adventure to be themed around other properties, and to absorb some of the cost of that retrofitting. If they want the Marvel characters bad enough, who knows what they'll offer?

And to be honest, there may come a point where Uni says yes. Because as much as it may chaff Disney's butt that Uni controls the theme park elements to a franchise it owns, it probably also chaffs Uni's butt everytime it has to give Disney a check for Marvel-themed merch revenue. Uni may decide it wants to be get out of bed with Disney. Heck they may have decided it already, they're just waiting to see what kind of backflips Disney is willing to make to get Marvel theme park rights in the fold.