Comments on: Disney/Marvel Responses on the Business End

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:19:43 +0000

The publishing side is relatively unimportant, compared to the money found in movies and other licensing. The characters are still there to exploit whether or not new stories with them are coming out.

The only mature Marvel movie option was the Punisher, and that’s flopped twice. It seems the money is in material that appeals more widely.

By: Lara Phillips

Lara Phillips — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:19:31 +0000

I couldn’t believe it when I heard. Having originally trained as an animator, I can’t help but be excited at the possibilities in that arena. However, it is worrying that nothing was mentioned of the publishing side? How did you think this will affect production of movies based on the more mature Marvel lines like Punisher Max etc?

By: Johanna

Johanna — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:19:22 +0000

I think Iron Man 2 is going to be a key indicator. The superhero movies out recently were flops — Spirit, Punisher, Hulk — or underperformed — Wolverine, Watchmen. Planned films — JLA, Green Arrow Supermax — are iffy. The last successes were Iron Man and Dark Knight, but they were HUGE. So superhero films still appear to be a gamble, combining the right cast, the right character, and the right staff. If they all come together, the results are enormous.

By: Charles RB

Charles RB — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:06:01 +0000

“Will superhero movies be as popular in 4 years? Or is it a passing fad?”

It’s been nine years since X-Men, so I think we’re past the point where we can call it a fad.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:53:34 +0000

I think, technically, that was Fox, not a Marvel Studio release.

By: Thad

Thad — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:30:37 +0000

Well, Marvel DID have a movie out this year (Wolverine), just not the spate of summer blockbusters it’s had in previous years.

By: Kenny Cather

Kenny Cather — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:50:17 +0000

Maybe it’s because I look at this as a long time Disney stock watcher, but I’m also not thrilled about this purchase. Disney way overpaid for Marvel. Disney’s stock takes yet another hit. Will superhero movies be as popular in 4 years? Or is it a passing fad? This seems like one of those acquisitions done to show growth.