Disney to Acquire Marvel Entertainment

Monday, August 31, 2009
By: Ramin Zahed

Disney is getting ready to buy Marvel Entertainment in a stock and cash transaction for the amount of $4 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Marvel shareholders would receive $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

As a result of this move, Disney will have ownership of around 7,000 Marvel characters, including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor. The two companies’ boards have approved the deal, which is subject to antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.

Regarding this latest acquisition, Disney president and CEO Robert A. Iger noted, “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." 


Business analysts agree that this move is similar to the Warner/D.C. alignment. It's important to point out that Paramount still has a five-film distribution deal with Marvel, and Bob Iger has confirmed that Marvel's upcoming films will be released by Paramount. Also, Sony's Spider-Man motion picture rights deal is unaffected by today's announcement. Universal also issued a statement confirming that Universal's Island of Adventure will continue to house Marvel's Super Hero Island. According to DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com, Universal theme parks have a long-term licensing deal with Marvel that gives them the rights to the characters.

Reader Comments

• JK : Corporate Theorist : DWA

  Tuesday, September 01, 2009

  Disney gains its own DC caliber comic book franchise with a history of contentious legal activities and a wake of shady deals. Fortunately the Mouse is fully staffed with well compensated attorneys raring to go and creative executives poised to micromanage any reimagined Marvel projects.

• Rex Hindrichs : Artist : Tengu Entertainment

  Tuesday, September 01, 2009

  As long as it doesn\\\'t affect the quality or maturity of the subject matter...

• Anonymous :

  Tuesday, September 01, 2009

  It\'s a sad day for Marvel fans everywhere...

• Anonymous : animator/cartoonist :

  Wednesday, September 02, 2009

  I have been a hardcore Marvel fan since I can remember. And as an animator and animation enthusiast I am a big fan of Disney. As a family man I love Disney resorts, movies and Disneyania as a whole. I DO NOT LIKE big corporations screwing up the things that I like and watering them down. That said, I can honestly say I am not worried about this deal. Let us remember, that numbnuts Eisner is no longer at the helm. I think Iger is making good decisions to better the quality of entertainment put out by Disney. It was not long ago that John Lasseter was named chief creative officer of Disney. Pixar is putting out some pretty great stuff so I trust they will handle Marvel with care. (for the sake of fanboys everywhere, let\\\'s hope I\\\'m right!)

• Elise :

  Tuesday, October 13, 2009

  Hope Spidey\'s kids attend Sky High and meet The Commander and Jetstream there. Also, his kids get to meet Will Stronghold and Warren Peace! Maybe Spider-Man\'s daughter is Magenta from \"Sky High\", who morphs into a guinea pig, which may be the reason why Spider-Man has a guinea-pig grandaughter named Juarez from \"G-Force\"!