Disney to Acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 Billion!

A huge announcement this morning - Disney is going to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion!

Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around the world, The Walt Disney Company has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment, Inc. in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration.

Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

“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,” said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney.”

“We believe that adding Marvel to Disney’s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation,” Iger said.

“Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses,” said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney’s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world.”

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney’s global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel’s properties.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.

So Bam! Kapowskies!, what are your thoughts?

86 Comments

		2009-08-31 11:08:06 Jettwinlock 10 years ago I would have freaked out about this deal, it's still a bit weird but nothing to get scared over that it will just ruin marvel. If Michael Eisner was still in charge than yes freak the hell out but he's not anymore.

		2009-08-31 11:08:02 Jettwinlock I think if people get away from the idea of Mickey Mouse, and look at, Kingdom Hearts series which most of the world loves, Tron Legacy Geeks love, ESPN any sports fans out there, and Kill Bill (just awesome), that this isn't such horrible news. Besides what about that new Steam Punk Disney Game we have heard about that sounds cool. I doubt that Disney will kiddieize Marvel.

		2009-08-31 11:08:16 DeaconFireblade This is a sad sad day. I can't believe Marvel would let itself be neutered like this. Seriously, you think the company behind such crap as the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana isn't going to try to make the Marvel characters all sun shiny and kid friendly. Next thing you know Spider-Man will be wearing a purity ring and the Runaways decide to become a lame rock band. This is a sad sad day for comics.

		2009-08-31 11:08:00 SinfulKnight Great, Now there will be Xmen in my Kingdom Hearts. Also means we will never get a good Spiderman Movie. Wolverine will never be rated R, His best line will be "I'm the best there is at what I do, And what I do is Coloring books". Deadpool will star a Jonas Brother or Shia labeouf. Next Punisher movie will be PG. Don't even get me started on Hulk, Iron Man, Captain Jack Sparrow America and Miley Cyrus as the new Electra.

		2009-08-31 11:08:36 Anaughtybear I can't wait to see what part of my childhood gets raped next. Fuck Disney forever. I've always hated their shit.

		2009-08-31 11:08:36 Skott Stotland I really think you guys are panicking over nothing. Disney isn't going to do jack to the comics, and I don't think they're going to make all the movies G-rated. Disney made the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, how violent are they? Hell, Disney put out Pulp Fiction. And anyone that thinks this deal is a bad thing, I've got two words for you - Marvel/Pixar.

		2009-08-31 12:08:02 Skott Stotland This is going to put Marvel on more stable footing, financially, and if nothing else, it will increase the quality of animation in the straight-to-DVD cartoons to something watchable.

		2009-08-31 12:08:54 Dr. Kronner Just ask Kevin Smith if this is good. After DISNEY bought MIRAMAX they canned Jay and Silent Bob until Kevin Smith could raise the money to buy the characters back. I don't think that they will mess with MARVEL too much, but I still hate the idea. And PIRATES sucked.

		2009-08-31 12:08:03 Skott Stotland Um, Disney bought Miramax before Miramax released Clerks. And Smith continued to work with Disney through 2006's Clerks 2. Also, I never said Pirates was good, I just said it was ridiculously violent (remember the third one started with a child being hanged), so worrying about Disney making Marvel too kid-friendly is silly.

		2009-08-31 12:08:13 eddiephlash I think I prefer Bam! Kapowians! to refer to posters

		2009-08-31 13:08:18 Jettwinlock List of movies done by Miramax a company under Disney The Crow, Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting, Dogma, Clerks II, 40 days and 40 nights, Kill Bill, No Country for Old Men, There will be Blood, Adverntureland. (the guy who wrote and directed Superbad)

		2009-08-31 13:08:20 Jettwinlock List of movie from Touchstone films another Disney company The Nightmare before Christmas, The life aquatic with steve Zissou, Check out the full list http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_released_by_Touchstone_Pictures

		2009-08-31 13:08:36 Sykishi @ skott,100% agree. If anything its going to help marvel become more global. I don't see anything else changing.

		2009-08-31 13:08:09 DEATHDEALER Disney is evil, and must be destroyed! --ps--Pirates was NOT violent, it was just ridiculously stupid!

		2009-08-31 13:08:29 Toni Smith Wow, I know that the hyperbole can run rampant sometimes but this is a tad ridiculous. Disney isn't going to neuter Marvel comics, this is a huge boon that we should all be happy about. A giant powerhouse such as Disney could help Marvel find better financing and distribution for their films. Did anybody shit a brick when Time Warner acquired DC? NO, plus would you rather Fox had made a bid for Marvel?

		2009-08-31 13:08:54 Fisticufflinks Skott Stotland I don't agree with your use of the phrase "ridiculously violent". Pirates, not "ridiculously violent". There was violence. But surely not, "ridiculously violent". However, Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction have "ridiculously violent" elements throughout. So, I'm not too worried about this either. Disney didn't become huge by being stupid, people. Not at all.

		2009-08-31 13:08:17 Toni Smith My one question is: how will this affect BOOM! Studios Disney comics deal?

		2009-08-31 13:08:12 Fisticufflinks Let's also not forget that Disney owns Touchstone and released an R-rated movie that put Prostitution on a pedestal. Anyone ever heard of a little film called "Pretty Woman"?

		2009-08-31 14:08:36 Skott Stotland Fist - Pirates 3 was easily the most violent non-R-rated film I've ever seen. Considering it was put out by Disney and marketed fully to children, it was a bit jarring. I'm not condemning the film for this, I'm just pointing out that the violence in the Pirates series was more graphic than most comic book movies.

		2009-08-31 14:08:13 theHeadCase Still scary. I would have preferred Marvel be left alone. They were doing fine on their own. Sure a lot of good could come from this, but now for every film Marvel puts out there's going to be that little bit of Disney influence that just doesn't belong.

		2009-08-31 14:08:20 Dr. Kronner Any chance Disney now makes a run at FOX for the X-Men rights? That is the only thing that could make me happy about this. Disney is evil.

		2009-08-31 14:08:22 Toni Smith How about "Tombstone?" Fuggin' love that movie. Seriously, go look at your DVD shelf and look at how many Touchstone, Dimension, Miramax, Hollywood Pictures and Pixar. Remember, this marketing juggernaut will find a way to rescue the Hostage Wolverine from Murdoch's stronghold.

		2009-08-31 14:08:37 Zombiezeus It's POSSIBLE that Disney will ultimately have to step in and make sure one of the Marvel movies or something are a little more 'kid-friendly' than we'd like, yes. But it won't be any different than any other big studio with its name on a 'kid-friendly' medium like comics. Disney did this mostly for a piece of the sweet licensing pie--y'know all those ridiculous pieces of plastic like a Spider-Man soap dispenser? Unfortunately, that's where the BIG bucks are...

		2009-08-31 14:08:15 Toni Smith Could someone tell me why Disney is evil? And don't give me the corporations are bad bullshit, not all of them are, except for Whole Foods and Wal-Mart.

		2009-08-31 14:08:29 Zombiezeus ..and since their only BOY-friendly franchise, "Pirates", has a somewhat limited shelf life/appeal, they needed to broaden that area of their business past "Cars" (which is one of their biggest-grossing licenses). So yes, eventually you're going to see Captain America walking around Disney World alongside Snow White. But they won't touch the comics at all (it's such a tiny part of the bottom line it would cost them more to get involved)...

		2009-08-31 14:08:00 Fisticufflinks Skott ... and I agreed, there is violence. But you said, "ridiculously violent". Certainly, you don't believe that to be true. It's def. fair to say that it is more violent that the majority of Comic Book films, though. No DOUBT! I fully support that statement.

		2009-08-31 14:08:58 Zombiezeus ...and really this is just going to mean that Marvel will be in a better position to have its characters show up in various different venues. My first vote: an ABC series based on "Heroes For Hire". It's inevitable.

		2009-08-31 14:08:12 Dr. Kronner WOAH! Wait a minute, how is WHOLE FOODS bad?

		2009-08-31 14:08:56 Fisticufflinks Toni ...not saying I agree with this thought process... but this is how I understand what they are saying. Disney is essentially the "NEW" Roman Empire. They eat up everything that is around them. People who are invaded view them as evil and tyrants... others choose to become a part of Rome and embrace a new age.

		2009-08-31 14:08:21 Dr. Kronner And DISNEY is evil because of shit like the Jonas Brothers which is brainwashing the youth of America into thinking shitty music is good! Also creating "stars" from High School Musical...and I hate them.

		2009-08-31 14:08:20 Toni Smith Whole Foods follows the Wal-Mart business model, not only that but it exploits smaller food producers by having them produce at a higher level than they are capable of and promising to assist them increase production. But they never do and these businesses end up collapsing sooner than they would with out The Whole's help. Plus they exploit altruism to make a profit, sometimes even my marketing Environmentally unsound products "Green."

		2009-08-31 14:08:19 Toni Smith Ok, so Disney markets shitty music to America's youth, just like every other record label. And yes, High School Musical is lame, but say what you will and call me gay or whatever, but I will attest that Zac Effron is actually a really talented actor: he's like a 21st century Gene Kelly.

		2009-08-31 14:08:55 Fisticufflinks Toni ... Now I'm confused ... I thought Hugh Jackman was the 21st century Gene Kelly.

		2009-08-31 14:08:20 Dr. Kronner Conan would say that is Gay.

		2009-08-31 14:08:18 DEATHDEALER Disney and Andrew Stanton are going to fuck up John Carter of Mars too. Then i'll cry for days.

		2009-08-31 14:08:06 Toni Smith Good point Fisti, there's only one way to solve this: Dance Fight! Ok, this is getting pretty flamboyant in here, let us never speak of this again. So, Uh guys, which is better Chicken wings or Nachos?

		2009-08-31 14:08:50 DEATHDEALER Everything is gay compared to Conan! The god of steel would agree!

		2009-08-31 14:08:06 Toni Smith Are John Matrix or Dutch Schaefer gay compared to Conan? What about Clint Eastwood? I think Clint Eastwood makes Conan look fruity in comparison.

		2009-08-31 14:08:10 Fisticufflinks Clint Eastwood and Conan would make good bunk mates at Camp BadASS! ...and I'll go with Nachos!

		2009-08-31 14:08:22 theHeadCase It's amazing the rate at which intelligent discussions on the internet can change. And yes, chicken wings are better.

		2009-08-31 14:08:14 Fisticufflinks Not enough meat on chicken wings. Unless they're boneless... in which case ... Bring on THE HOT SAUCE! We've got a party!

		2009-08-31 15:08:06 EL GUAPO It can't be all that bad, for god's sake they did "All Dog Go To Heaven"! Shit was awsome!

		2009-08-31 15:08:22 Dr. Kronner Schwarzenegger, in an interveiw on the DIRTY HARRY dvd, said it was Clint Eastwood that inspired him to get into acting. So they would be boys. In the same cabin, different bunks would be John J. Rambo, Lee Marvin, Steve McQueen, and John McClane. McClane would be the clown of the group.

		2009-08-31 15:08:41 Dr. Kronner And on the Whole Foods issue, you can't discount how well they treat their emploees. My sister works there and I don't know of many other store grocery stores that give the cashiers stock bonuses, 401k programs, and a well as a health care plan better than the UAW's.

		2009-08-31 15:08:23 Dr. Kronner And the WINGS vs. NACHOS debate, too vauge. I'll take boneless wings over Chicken Nachos. But Beef Nachos with extra onion crush tiny chicken wings.

		2009-08-31 15:08:01 Fisticufflinks I was talkin' Pulled Pork NACHOS personally. Either way though, NACHOS Crush tiny chicken wings.

		2009-08-31 15:08:17 Toni Smith I'm a chicken wing guy, Spicy crispy and topped with blue cheese crumbles. And as a guy who worked for Whole Foods, I can tell you that their stock perks and 401k are only worthwhile when you're with the company for an exceedingly long time, that means dealing with the dehumanizing aspects of having a dozen supervisors who all want something different and always being evaluated and scrutinized for everything, I was once written up for being TOO helpful to customers.

		2009-08-31 15:08:05 Toni Smith How about Buffalo Chicken Nachos?

		2009-08-31 15:08:44 Dr. Kronner EVIL DISNEY - http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Disney.html

		2009-08-31 15:08:44 Toni Smith Anyone here think Walt would be down with owning a bunch of characters made by a guy named Lieber?

		2009-08-31 15:08:09 Fisticufflinks How about Buffalo Pulled Pork, Beef, and Chicken Nachos with extra onions and cheese? I think Walt would buy them to own them and then never use them again... cause he didn't create them. But I don't have a high opinion of Mr. Walt Disney.

		2009-08-31 15:08:00 MexicoJoe I think this deal will be good if it becomes like a Pixar side studio, all the new Disney animated movies are shit but Pixar keeps a pretty consistent quality, if it's like that then it's awesome, I wouldn't mind the merchandise either, I loves me some toys!

		2009-08-31 15:08:00 MexicoJoe and boneless spicy as shit chicken wings over nachos

		2009-08-31 15:08:36 microwavefriendly um, some of you guys are overreacting. Disney is just a parent company. THere are plenty of lists of other companies they own putting out good products. And marvel has done enough "kiddie-izing" of their own materials over the years. I am sure Marvel will operate freely as before, just now they have more money...so we don't have to panic about Samuel L. Jackson not getting paid enough money to be Nick Fury. That meas casts for movies will be better and such. And there is every chance that the mo

		2009-08-31 15:08:36 microwavefriendly there is every chance that the new marvel movies can suck as they possibly did before. If anything, we may see Spiderman get bought out of Fox so they can put him in the Avengers movie....or wait, is that going to suck suddenly now because Disney wants Donald Duck to appear in it? I am sure there is enough sense to let Marvel be itself, just be owned and financially backed by Disney.

		2009-08-31 15:08:56 microwavefriendly oh, and screw the jonas brothers. but that is just disney's years later response to things like the backstreet boys. Not everything that Disney backs comes straight out of Disney. As mentioned before, No Country for Oldmen indirectly comes from Disney, bu they're name is no where on it.

		2009-08-31 17:08:38 Fisticufflinks Dr. Kronner I do believe that Lieutenant Marion 'Cobra' Cobretti deserves a bunk in the cabin at Camp BadASS!

		2009-08-31 17:08:45 Dr. Kronner "You're the disease, and I'm the cure." BOOM! No actually Cobretti is in Cabin #2. He bunks with Kilmer's Doc Holiday. They play Euchre with Martin Riggs and Judd Nelson from NEW JACK CITY. Dalton from ROADHOUSE and Snake Plisken had a mullet-offs for supremecy/top bunk.

		2009-08-31 17:08:17 Dr. Kronner Detroit Police Sgt. Jericho 'Action' Jackson and Sonny Chiba dicuss how racist Cabins 1 & 2 are and complain about getting stuck in Cabin 3 with Rush Hour's Chris Tucker and Jar Jar Binks.

		2009-08-31 19:08:14 manoftomorrow @Dr. Kronner: I worked for disney and they treated me very well...

		2009-08-31 19:08:42 Fisticufflinks The Blue Race from Avatar are about to invade Cabin 3 and kill Chris Tucker and Jar Jar Binks, they'll of course be smart enough to not fuck with Action Jackson or Sonny Chiba though!

		2009-08-31 19:08:31 Fisticufflinks They know that Action Jackson has Mr. T on Speed dial and Sonny Chiba plays Shuffle Board with Tony Jaa!

		2009-08-31 20:08:20 Dr. Kronner @manoftomorrow - My friend Danielle also worked for Disney and enjoyed it. But I still hate them. On the other hand I worked for HUNGRY HOWIES and got treated like shit, yet I still like pizza...

		2009-08-31 20:08:57 Dr. Kronner @Fist - Tony Jaa was supposed to be in Cabon 3, but he had to leave camp to save a village.

		2009-08-31 20:08:17 DeadLogan I hope it's for the best. I hope.

		2009-08-31 21:08:19 david660 no good can come of this,can't wait to see what they do with the punisher.(sigh..)

		2009-08-31 21:08:57 miracleman I just pray they don't interfere. If they leave the company as is, its fine. They can just pour money into the mix. Actually. They can interfere if they fire Tobey Maguire. If they do that, then I welcome them with open arms. They also have to slap each and every person that worked on Spider-man 3. For the emo dance.

		2009-08-31 21:08:29 miracleman And you never know, the animated cartoons might take a leap forwards. Just pray they don't make Next Avengers 2. Spectacular Spider-Man already runs on one of the various disney channels, hopefully we will get another cartoon of that caliber. God I hope Disney dont fuck Marvel up.

		2009-08-31 21:08:21 DEATHDEALER @david660: Yeah, because The Punisher movies have really lived up thus far! I'm not for this at all. But maybe for the marvel/character movies that have been shit, will finally be made in a decent fashion....maybe. But The Punisher movies sucked anyway, so whats the difference?

		2009-08-31 21:08:34 k5kmagnum X-MEN ORIGINS: Rogue Starring Miley Cyrus as Rogue!

		2009-08-31 21:08:59 mingo I think a lot of you are overreacting. I mean, shit, there could be awesomely 3D animated movies. And I'm no expert, but I don't think Disney would spend $4B to spend more time and money turning Marvel upside down to please Hannah Montana's fans.

		2009-08-31 21:08:24 k5kmagnum Sure they would! It would be The Best of Both Worlds

		2009-08-31 21:08:03 david660 not just the movies...the character himself. I can't really see Frank Castle being marketed on underoos and cereal boxes next to Goofy and pluto and you can be damn sure that sooner or later their going to try.

		2009-08-31 22:08:50 david660 (crosses fingers,holds breath..waits for Deadpool-Donald Duck crossover)

		2009-08-31 22:08:11 MisterSmith As long as Disney opens up their checkbooks and keep their hands off from a creative standpoint, then I can see this being a good thing.

		2009-09-01 02:09:16 Toni Smith Who would be the Camp Counselor for this awesome establishment? The only man in history that could wrangle this level of awesome, John Wayne.

		2009-09-01 06:09:45 mramazing You guys know Gay means cool, right?

		2009-09-01 07:09:11 Fisticufflinks John Wayne would be Camp Counselor and would always be turning his "Blind Eye" to Sean Connery, who keeps sneaking in woman from the camp across the lake (Camp Hottness!) via his Laser Guided Jet Boat. Last night he brought over Joan Crawford, Marylin Monroe, and Bettie Page.

		2009-09-01 07:09:44 Fisticufflinks (in a related article... Sean Connery was seen eating Boneless Buffalo Wings and Pork Rinds while parachuting with Mimi Van Doren.)

		2009-09-01 09:09:23 stubbyswof Disney/Marvel = Brett Favre/Vikings

		2009-09-01 10:09:39 Martini D NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

		2009-09-01 12:09:43 renostar I'm curious to see what this will do to the theme parks, Universal has Marvel Islands of Adventure at the Orlando park. I think from an animation stand point this is great. I hope they dont mess with the characters, I'm not ready to see spidy swinging from Sleeping Beauty's castle.

		2009-09-01 16:09:33 Dr. Kronner John Wayne is the grandaddy of all Badasses. He would OWN that fucking camp where he gave lessons to all the campers in archery, wood carving, and one-liners.

		2009-09-03 03:09:30 sillysully7 The word on the themeparks is the contract is indefinite, Disney says it has no plans to challenge Islands of Adventure, they're just gonna let it go. We'll see if that lasts.

		2009-09-06 10:09:27 RASBURY OMG- Marvel will end up with Iron Man saving princesses from dragons while listening to Miley Cyrus. Hell hath no fury like an angry mob of Comic geeks at your front door, Disney! We will retaliate!

		2009-09-06 10:09:36 RASBURY And you, Mr.Marvel CEO, WHAT THE HELL? You were just on the upward track! New movies, comics, and games would totally make you $4B in a year or two, done right of course! The Avengers movie(s) would totally make it! You were on the right track and you f***ed it up, i hope you know it.