In one of the biggest acquisitions of late, Disney paid a whopping 4 billion for Marvel. This deal includes all divisions of the company including comics, television, film, merchandise, video games and DVD. It makes sense since the alliance between Warner Brothers and DC Comics. That Marvel would look for a distribution partner as well. Although Marvel would keep creative control to all their characters. This deal will not effect deals and upcoming films with other studios. Although, Disney has stated as soon as the rights revert back to Marvel, they will control distribution and promotion. Their policy towards Marvel Studios is "if it ain't broke don't fix it", so I don't expect too much meddling with productions. It seems that Disney will act as promotion, bankroll and marketing giant for Marvel. Turing the Marvel brand into something just as recognizable as Disney is. Similar to what they've done with Pixar Animation Studios, when they bought them back in 2006.
Pixar is interested in developing films with Marvel. In the hopes to "exploit lesser known characters". With their upcoming live-action adaptation of John Carter of Mars, we'll see what they can bring to the table. I could see them developing films for Silver Surfer, She-Hulk and Edgar Wright's Ant-Man.
With Fox not going to be able to hold onto the X-Men rights I could also see Pixar taking on spin-off characters and making them popular. Such as, Alpha Flight, The New X-Men and Age of Apocalypse/Cable film. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't end up developing the Gambit movie as well. Since Kitsch is already starring in John Carter, I'm sure Pixar wouldn't mind working with him again.
With Disney a family friendly company, what could this mean in the future for properties like Blade and Punisher? Both characters are ultra violent that will never translate to the PG-13 mold. Disney has done a lot of adult material with Miramax including many Tarantino films.
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