Spidey Joins Mickey As Disney Buys Marvel

Spider-Man, Captain America and the Fantastic Four look set to head
to Disney after the entertainment giant swooped on Marvel Entertainment.




The £2.5bn cash and stocks deal means the Walt Disney will have access to Marvel's 5,000 characters.

The buy-up values Marvel at £30 a share and has been agreed by both boards.

It now needs the backing of Marvel shareholders and the competition authorities.

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of
characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and
licensing businesses," said Marvel chief executive Ike Perlmutter.

"This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its
vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney's tremendous
global organisation and infrastructure around the world."

Walt Disney last month reported a fall in profits of more than a quarter.

Net profit between April and June came in at £579m, down 26% from the same period last year.

Disney president and chief executive Robert Iger said: "Adding
Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant
opportunities for long-term growth and value creation.

"We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney."

Marvel is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

Besides comics, Marvel characters also feature in movies, animated features, videogames and action figure toys.

Should make for some interesting film making!