Welcome to Disneys Spiderman!

Yes, you read it right, folks! Disneys Spiderman! It was reported today (Tuesday) that Disney is stepping up with a $4bn bid to buy Marvel. The bid has been approved by the boards of Disney, and Marvel, and it is now awaiting approval from Marvels shareholders, and from the competition authorities in the US.

This could be an excellent tie-up. Marvel is looking to really expand, and go from its comic book beginnings and capitalise on the popularity of its movies, and become a real global player. It could try to do so, but the growth would be up against competition from the likes of Disney, and Universal.

With Disney, however, they have access to a lot of money, and Disneys expertise in movie making, and Disneys impressive facilities for the afore-mentioned movie making. As well as Disneys global network for marketing and distribution. I expect to see a lot more from Marvel!

For Disney, it is also a fantastic deal. They gain a stable of over 5,000 loved characters, all of whom are popular with older crowds. Can you see Mickey Mouse in a live-action action movie, aimed at adults? Probably not.

So, now, you can enjoy Mickey Mouse and Captain America, Winnie the Pooh and Spiderman, Donald Duck and Captain Britain (yes, there is one!). I know cross-over movies are in the pipeline for Marvel. Once they have ploughed through another Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and possibly another Hulk installment, there is talk of a major cross-over linking many of the stars in the same movie. Will we see Donald Duck joining in the fun?

I dont think so. But it would be cool!

However, I do have 2 concerns.

What happens with Universal Studios Islands of Adventure? Part of the park, with some of the best rolelr coasters I have ever been on are all themed on Marvel characters! Includine the Hulk coaster, and Spidermans 3D ride!

Disney could, of course, find some devious way to force Universal to give up using the images, since they will own the rights once they buy Marvel. However, since the agreement was in place before this, it will be a while before Disney does that.

I think, more likely, is that Disney will allow Universal to keep using the Marvel characters, and laugh all the way to the bank as Universal pony up the readies to effectively help subsidise their rival in the theme park business just across the road!

The other concern.

Can Disney survive Stan Lee?