Disney in talks to buy Fox: X-Men Homecoming? - Part 3

[Tymminator]

I just hope to Christ we don’t end up in a situation where Marvel (rightly) reboots the X-Men to great critical and financial success, while WB keep (wrongly) slogging on with the DCEU, and keep failing.

Well, one thing to consider is back when WB was pretty much the only folks making comic movies, when a Comic movie did badly the first thing people jumped to was “Comic book movie fatigue” and then WB would lay off for a few years before trying again, and nobody else really challenged that.

Because Marvel Studios is so successful right now, when WB has a misstep, they know for a fact ot is NOT comic book movie fatigue. Fox did put out some duds like Fan4stic, but the year before that they had X-Men: Days of Future Past so Fox knew the audience and market were there. So for WB/DC it does give them a chance to finally put together a plan of action as they know the audience and market are there.

We are actually pretty lucky, if Avengers had bombed in 2012 critics and everyone else would state ensemble group movies like that are hard to pull off and it would have been forever to see another such effort from Marvel or DC.

 

[FunkMiller]

Well, one thing to consider is back when WB was pretty much the only folks making comic movies, when a Comic movie did badly the first thing people jumped to was “Comic book movie fatigue” and then WB would lay off for a few years before trying again, and nobody else really challenged that.

Because Marvel Studios is so successful right now, when WB has a misstep, they know for a fact ot is NOT comic book movie fatigue. Fox did put out some duds like Fan4stic, but the year before that they had X-Men: Days of Future Past so Fox knew the audience and market were there. So for WB/DC it does give them a chance to finally put together a plan of action as they know the audience and market are there.

We are actually pretty lucky, if Avengers had bombed in 2012 critics and everyone else would state ensemble group movies like that are hard to pull off and it would have been forever to see another such effort from Marvel or DC.

The problem is there’s quite clearly no-one there with any vision. That’s why it’s in such a mess. I can quite easily see them taking the ‘easy’ option and just plugging on with what they’ve got, hoping it comes good at some point. After all, that’s what they’ve been doing for a while now. I just don’t see that anyone at WB will develop the balls and the creative nous to see that they’re heading for an even bigger fall if they keep going the way they are.

You’re absolutely right about no superhero fatigue though. The genre seems to be going from strength to strength as a whole.

 

[honestbharani]

Who said I hated Disney? Start with those first two links I provided earlier, then read up on Don Rosa's relationship with the company, death of Miramax, their ongoing (but mostly former) problems with diversity and female characters and their marketing. There's more. This doesn't mean they are the worst company out there, in fact they might be one of the better ones, but that doesn't mean we should stop critical thinking because more superheroes now have a chance to interact on the big screen.

Do you mean "cynical" by "critical"? And again, if it was not Disney it would have been someone else buying off Fox. How would that have made it better?

 

[TheVileOne]

Whenever a film like Batman v Superman under-performs, people talk about superhero fatigue. The real fatigue is for ******, over-expensive Hollywood blockbuster. Marvel pretty much does them better than everyone else at this point.

You can find articles going back to 2006 with people bemoaning superhero films and talking about superhero movie fatigue. All the way back to 2006 in things like Entertainment Weekly.

 

[ADollarADay]

Regarding streaming, Iger has said you can buy one or you can buy them as a bundle, but this seems to be their plan:

Hulu - for mature content and content that doesn't fit with Disneyflix. This will include things from 20CF and Disney. For example

• Deadpool, Logan, 12 years a slave, etc from Fox films
• Pretty Woman, Con Air, Signs from Disney Films
• Marvel netflix shows when the streaming rights expire from netflix
• Family Guy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Americans, Homeland

Also expect new original R rated content from them for Hulu. Any future R rated Marvel movie will be streamed on Hulu as well

Disneyflix - maybe up to PG13 depending on what the actual content of the product. Iger did mention previously of a very robust filter and parental control

• Marvel, Lucas, Pixar, Disney, Avatar movies. Older Fox X-Men, FF movies
• BlueSky, The Martian, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Peanuts
• DisneyXD and Freeform originals
• Simpsons, Modern Family

Any original show or movie that can come here probably will

ESPN+ - Stuff that can't or won't go on ESPN proper could go here

• Fox Regional sport content
• MLS, NHL, NBA, Tennis content
• ESPN 3 content (I'm interested in the World Rugby 7s circuit that they currently have the rights to)
• Other new content they can sign that won't go into the national/cable ESPN

They could probably get some rights to international competition such as world wrestling championships or new sports league like Major League Rugby. Flosports should be worried.

Finally, Iger has mentioned they are not averse to licensing content, so things like Fast and Furious, Hunger Games, Ghostbusters, etc could show up on the services. I believe the same could hold true for sports as well, so something like the olympic games could be licensed to the service.

 

[TheVileOne]

I wouldnt be concerned. As you've said many, many times over the years, the X-Men character rights are NEVER reverting to Marvel Studios.



The idea that Disney and Marvel Studios have to take a complete hands off approach regarding Marvel characters licensed to a fellow studio is a bit of an exaggeration. As has been done in the past, the two studios can make deals regarding characters and Marvel can advise Fox on their upcoming film slate.

I think it is likely we'll first see the deal's impact in the Avengers 4 post credit scene, though I wouldn't be surprised if the Super Skrull pops up in Captain Marvel.

They can't. The deal requires regulatory review.

 

[Zarex]

They can't. The deal requires regulatory review.

FOX and Marvel Studios can continue to make deals regarding character rights, as they have previously done with Ego and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, before the review is completed. Disney/Marvel won't be required to take a hands off approach to its licensed properties, and a trade of say Kl'rt for Taskmaster is indeed a possibility.

Marvel Studios can't take over management of the FOX slate during this period, but that's not what I was talking about.

 

[metaphysician]

You need to say iyo. Because Shadowcat is extremely popular

Indeed. I'd say she's inarguably in the same league, given that she's a major, extremely popular member of the ( major, extremely popular ) X-Men. And her Jewishness actually comes up more often, too.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Regarding streaming, Iger has said you can buy one or you can buy them as a bundle, but this seems to be their plan:

Hulu - for mature content and content that doesn't fit with Disneyflix. This will include things from 20CF and Disney. For example

• Deadpool, Logan, 12 years a slave, etc from Fox films
• Pretty Woman, Con Air, Signs from Disney Films
• Marvel netflix shows when the streaming rights expire from netflix
• Family Guy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Americans, Homeland

Also expect new original R rated content from them for Hulu. Any future R rated Marvel movie will be streamed on Hulu as well

Disneyflix - maybe up to PG13 depending on what the actual content of the product. Iger did mention previously of a very robust filter and parental control

• Marvel, Lucas, Pixar, Disney, Avatar movies. Older Fox X-Men, FF movies
• BlueSky, The Martian, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Peanuts
• DisneyXD and Freeform originals
• Simpsons, Modern Family

Any original show or movie that can come here probably will

ESPN+ - Stuff that can't or won't go on ESPN proper could go here

• Fox Regional sport content
• MLS, NHL, NBA, Tennis content
• ESPN 3 content (I'm interested in the World Rugby 7s circuit that they currently have the rights to)
• Other new content they can sign that won't go into the national/cable ESPN

They could probably get some rights to international competition such as world wrestling championships or new sports league like Major League Rugby. Flosports should be worried.

Finally, Iger has mentioned they are not averse to licensing content, so things like Fast and Furious, Hunger Games, Ghostbusters, etc could show up on the services. I believe the same could hold true for sports as well, so something like the olympic games could be licensed to the service.

I will probably end up getting all 3, LOL! I have Hulu already. I think it was previously said that the Disney one would be cheaper than Netflix, so I don't see this package being more than like $30 bucks or something. Unless you get Hulu live TV with that.

 

[TheVileOne]

FOX and Marvel Studios can continue to make deals regarding character rights, as they have previously done with Ego and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, before the review is completed. Disney/Marvel won't be required to take a hands off approach to its licensed properties, and a trade of say Kl'rt for Taskmaster is indeed a possibility.

Marvel Studios can't take over management of the FOX slate during this period, but that's not what I was talking about.

I've yet to see any proof this will be allowed while the acquisition is undergoing regulatory review. Just because they were able to do that before doesn't mean they will be able to do it now after acquiring the assets and waiting for said assets to go through an approvals process.

 

[Zarex]

I've yet to see any proof this will be allowed while the acquisition is undergoing regulatory review. Just because they were able to do that before doesn't mean they will be able to do it now after acquiring the assets and waiting for said assets to go through an approvals process.

I've yet to see any proof that this will not be allowed while the acquisition is undergoing regulatory review.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Why do people want this to be rushed and expect an Avengers post credit scene with Doom and the FF?

Let them take their time in sorting this all out. The ink ain't dry yet and there are massive amounts of legal, financial and regulatory matters to sift through, even if the talks have been happening for months. We will see the MCU expand and the Mutant and FF characters used but it's going to be awhile. And it's not like Marvel doesn't have a full slate of films in the pipeline too. I for one hope they take their time plotting out how to utilize these characters, putting the director and writing teams in place and casting the parts as well as they have done with the films they have already put out.

 

[JP]

I've yet to see any proof that this will not be allowed while the acquisition is undergoing regulatory review.

Because the deal can still be blocked.

 

[ADollarADay]

I will probably end up getting all 3, LOL! I have Hulu already. I think it was previously said that the Disney one would be cheaper than Netflix, so I don't see this package being more than like $30 bucks or something. Unless you get Hulu live TV with that.

I think the bundle will be something like $30.

Back of the napkin, I would guess something like this:

Hulu (with ads) = $7.99
Hulu+ (no ads) = $11.99

Disneyflix (no MU subscription) = $6.99-7.99
Disneyflix+ (includes Marvel Unlimited subscription) = $9.99-11.99

ESPN + = $7.99-14.99 (they will probably have multiple tiers of this, probably going higher than the 14.99 top value here)

Bundle = $19.99
Bundle+ = $34.99
Bundle with liveTV = $49.99
Bundle+ with liveTV = $65.99

 

[fobi]

Why do people want this to be rushed and expect an Avengers post credit scene with Doom and the FF?

Let them take their time in sorting this all out. The ink ain't dry yet and there are massive amounts of legal, financial and regulatory matters to sift through, even if the talks have been happening for months. We will see the MCU expand and the Mutant and FF characters used but it's going to be awhile. And it's not like Marvel doesn't have a full slate of films in the pipeline too. I for one hope they take their time plotting out how to utilize these characters, putting the director and writing teams in place and casting the parts as well as they have done with the films they have already put out.

Agreed.

 

[Big Bang]

I've yet to see any proof this will be allowed while the acquisition is undergoing regulatory review. Just because they were able to do that before doesn't mean they will be able to do it now after acquiring the assets and waiting for said assets to go through an approvals process.

The Spidey deal is a rare example of studios sharing rights. It would be allowed because there is no actual ownership exchange taking place. Marvel Studios produces the product and Fox benefits. It's a collaborative agreement meant to be beneficial to both parties.

 

[Big Bang]

Because the deal can still be blocked.

The two are separate issues. The Marvel film rights predates the acquisition of Fox itself, and ultimate does already belong to Marvel. Fox is merely the current holder of said rights.

Even if the acquisition were to be locked, it would have no effect on a short term sharing deal. It would eliminate the incentive for doing a shared deal, but other than that there would be direct consequence.

 

[Havok83]

I bet Marvel is KICKING themselves for killing off Quicksilver.

as if characters cant be brought back from the dead. The Infinity gauntlet serves as a convenient plot element to rectify that

 

[TheVileOne]

I've yet to see any proof that this will not be allowed while the acquisition is undergoing regulatory review.

http://deadline.com/2010/10/disney-paramount-marvel-restructure-marketing-distruibution-deal-76534/

Disney didn't make any type of deal with Paramount Pictures for the rights for The Avengers and Iron Man 3 until after the Disney/Marvel sale was completed and completed its regulatory review period. They couldn't make power moves like that until they were free and clear to do so.

Sale was announced in 2009. It wasn't complete until 2010.

 

[Zarex]

Because the deal can still be blocked.

Who's gonna to block it? Trump? Here's Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the President's reaction:

"I know that the president spoke with Rupert Murdoch earlier today, congratulated him on the deal," press secretary Sarah Sanders said at Thursday's White House press briefing. She added that the president believed the deal could be a "great thing for jobs."

And if the DOJ sued to block the deal, Rupert and Robert could modify it to pass muster. Easy Peezy Lemon Squeazy.


Anyhoo, there's no reason to believe that a deal that could have been made when it was between license holder and licensee - like the Negasonic-Ego arrangement - will no longer be allowed to take place for the next twelve to eighteen months. It is unreasonable to ask Disney/Marvel to take a complete "hands off" approach to the live action use of characters whose rights they own. I don't believe that is the case here.

 

[Big Bang]

http://deadline.com/2010/10/disney-paramount-marvel-restructure-marketing-distruibution-deal-76534/

Disney didn't make any type of deal with Paramount Pictures for the rights for The Avengers and Iron Man 3 until after the Disney/Marvel sale was completed and completed its regulatory review period. They couldn't make power moves like that until they were free and clear to do so.

Sale was announced in 2009. It wasn't complete until 2010.

Disney had to wait in that case because they didn't have any pre-existing ownership of either Marvel itself or any other properties. The deal with Paramount also dealt with the transfer of ownership over certain rights. Whereas a sharing deal would not.

 

[TheVileOne]

The Spidey deal is a rare example of studios sharing rights. It would be allowed because there is no actual ownership exchange taking place. Marvel Studios produces the product and Fox benefits. It's a collaborative agreement meant to be beneficial to both parties.

Yeah but that was a situation between two separate autonomous studio entities. Now because Disney is going through the process of acquiring the assets, things like that will be in a holding period. They will not be allowed to make a move like that until government approves the sale.

Disney and 21st Century Fox have made a sale for Disney to buy all these assets. It doesn't make sense to make a separate deal that supercedes that. What if the government blocks the deal? Then Fox still owns all those film rights.

It's not that simple. Spidey for Sony/Disney is nothing like this at all. It's a totally different matter.

A lot of people here are excited. That's great. I'm excited by all the possibilities of this as well. But this has to go through its regulatory process.

This period has to run its course before we can see the media really take shape.

 

[TheVileOne]

Disney had to wait in that case because they didn't have any pre-existing ownership of either Marvel itself or any other properties. The deal with Paramount also dealt with the transfer of ownership over certain rights. Whereas a sharing deal would not.

How would this deal work account for the scenario of the Department of Justice blocking the sale from going through?

 

[Zarex]

http://deadline.com/2010/10/disney-paramount-marvel-restructure-marketing-distruibution-deal-76534/

Disney didn't make any type of deal with Paramount Pictures for the rights for The Avengers and Iron Man 3 until after the Disney/Marvel sale was completed and completed its regulatory review period. They couldn't make power moves like that until they were free and clear to do so.

Sale was announced in 2009. It wasn't complete until 2010.

We're not talking about "power moves". We're talking about deals that benefit both parties. As has been done in the past.

 

[TheVileOne]

How does that deal benefit Fox and what do they get in return?