Disney Plans to Buy Marvel Entertainment
Can a company that provides family friendly entertainment for children also provide entertainment for an older audience? We have all come to think of Disney as a entertainment brand only meant for little children but over the last five years Disney has been actually trying to break this reputation.
Today Disney has unveiled plans to buy Marvel comics a well known comic company which has a lot of Marvel fans running scared right now because of Disney’s reputation for providing material for a young audience. Can this be a good thing?
Most people immediately say no. But lets also remember the fact that Disney is invested in several industries that aren’t necessarily for children. Disney within the last few years has been trying to appeal to a older audience and invests in companies such as Image Movers Digital a production company run by Robert Zemeckis. This company specializes in motion capture and did all the work for Beowolf, Monster House, Castaway, Polar Express, and even the up coming Jim Carry film A Christmas Carol. Yes some of these movies are for children but there are movies being producted that are for an older audience.
Image via Wikipedia
Let’s also not forget Pirates of The Caribbean which yes children can enjoy but is meant for an older audience. Disney has been trying more and more to find a franchise which they can appeal to an older audience which is why we have seen the return of Pirates of the Caribbean and now in Disney parks world wide you can’t miss a massive arsenal of pirate merchandising. Disney was smart enough to capitalize off of this idea and work with people who can do it right which is why Jerry Bruckheimer was hired to do the job. Bruckheimer of course has worked on shows such as CSI which is definitely a show not recommended for adults.
So where does Marvel fit into all of this? Well as you know Marvel has a very well known character base which they most likely intend on using. Just because they bought these characters doesn’t necessarily mean that your going to be taking pictures of Superman side by side with Micky Mouse. Granted Disney could begin to Nerf the comics and try to make them less graphic which is a sad thought.
But if you look at the last 5 years Disney has done the exact opposite, they tried to do a Haunted House movie which tried to appeal to a wide audience of adults and children and it failed miserably. Disney noticed this and decided to instead do something which will be somewhat graphic and a little scary. There are still rumors floating around saying that Disney intends on doing movies now on each classic roller coaster at Disney parks so keep all of this into perspective.
Disney might have a childish reputation but times change and so does a company image. Disney has children locked into their material well especially since the fall of Warner Brothers (after all you never see Buggs Bunny anywhere anymore). Disney plans on keeping children interested into their material but they want to make sure they have a form of entertainment which appeals to all audiences. Lets just hope that I am not wrong as I write this article but Disney over all has been a smart company when it comes to understanding its audiences, especially after serious blunders. And believe me Disney recognizes blunders relatively fast, just look at the billion dollar renovation that is going on right now at Disney’s California Adventure.
12 Comments
Marvel Comics are known for being ‘edgy’ and I fear that Disney will ‘family-up’ the Marvel characters ..you know, to ’show their feminine side’ and of course the protagonist’s mother dies early in the film/comic/whatever and protagonist goes on to become the king of the forest/city/nation, whatever…
I am somewhat opposed to the sale for fears of what this merger might do. But Disney bought Marvel for what what it, -two BILLION dollars? I guess they can do with it whatever they want…
Thats what I talked about in this. Disney basically buys the rights and then turns the job over to somebody who can make it edgy. Disney over the last 5 years has been one large production company. Yes over the last 80 years Disney has been family entertainment but the last 5 years have drastically changed including a new CEO.
They are smart enough to know that they can’t radically change a franchise such as this which is edgy. They will basically turn the franchise onto somebody who will do what needs to be done. Especially with guys such as Jerry Bruckheimer hes edgy and has done and still does adult material.
I’m not saying your fears are unfounded but also recognize how Disney has changed in the last 5 years. Their biggest movies aren’t even made by Disney they just advertise it.
Wow i have no idea
Wow, massive mistake in this article. Superman is not a Marvel character, he’s already owned by Time-Warner. Its kind of an important detail.
I know Superman is DC, if you’re gonna write about comic books yous hould really do your research.
I know Superman is DC I was being cynical.
Wow, that’s a shock!
What his cynicism or the article itself?
What a coup by Disney! I’d say that was the business deal of the decade.
Just for the sake of argument
If Marvel/Disney got the rights that the courts awarded to the Shuster’s and Siegels.
Is it not possible that Time Warner/DC could make an agreement with Disney/Marvel in which Superman could retain his full powers and his supporting characters like Lex Luther?
So in essence Superman could appear in both Marvel Comics as well as DC comics with all his powers as well as his history.
Is it not possible that Time Warner & Disney are gearing up for a future merger.
Think about it. In 2002 CNN and ABC came real close to merging.
And talk of a Time Warner / Disney merger seems to pop up every 5 years or so.
You are right. And as I said before Disney is only a production company and what are the bulk blockbusters that you see every year these days? Comic book movies. Honestly it wouldn’t surprise me at all. Disney sees the trend and intends on capitalizing on it.