La notizia è di quelle che mozzano il fiato, ma che da tempo si preparava. Oggi, l’annuncio ufficiale a Burbank: la casa del Grande Topo ha acquistato quella “delle idee” per 4 bilioni di dollari.

Così, l’azienda fondata dal “mago” Walt diviene detentrice dei diritti di almeno 5.00o personaggi, da Spider-Man ai Fantastici Quattro, da Devil ai Vendicatori, dagli X-Men all’Incredibile Hulk…
La mossa è speculare, anche se giunta con vari anni di ritardo, a quella compiuta dalla Warner Bros. quando divenne proprietaria dei personaggi della DC Comics: da Superman a Batman, dai Teen Titans a Green Lantern.

© Disney per le immagini (per la prima volta esteso a tutto questo range di personaggi!)

L’agenzia di stampa The Associated Press ha dato oggi la conferma dello storico (e “storico” è dir poco) accordo.

Quali sviluppi seguiranno all’accordo, dal punto di vista creativo?
Una cosa è certa: i personaggi che godono nei comic books di una vasta popolarità, che in questo caso coinvolge almeno tre generazioni di lettori in tutto il mondo, si candidano a grossa fonte di profitto per lo schermo cinematografico o nei serial televisivi, con un ricco corollario di oggetti di merchandise. L’esempio virtuoso della saga di Batman, esplosa all’inizio degli anni Novanta del secolo scorso, insegna, seguito tardivamente da quelli, meno eclatanti ma significativi, di altri personaggi e serie trasportati nei cinema in anni recenti, da Watchmen a Sin City, da The Spirit a V for Vendetta.

Inutile dire che Cartoonist Globale seguità da vicino la questione (ogni contributo in materia è auspicato).
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Il comunicato dell’agenzia precisa: Disney said Monday that Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own. <a style="display: inline;"
It said the boards of Walt Disney Co and Marvel Entertainment Inc have both approved the transaction, but it requires an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.

“Crediamo che aggiungere la Marvel al portafoglio marchi Disney fornisca una significativa opportunita’ di crescita e creazione di valore sul lungo termine”, ha commentato il numero uno della Disney Robert Iger. (AGI).

Ancora l’AGI riporta: L‘operazione, tra contanti e titoli, valuta le azioni Marvel 50 centesimi di dollaro l’una, con un premio del 29% rispetto ai 38,65 dollari segnati alla chiusura di wall Street venerdi’. In particolare, gli azionisti Marvel riceveranno 30 dollari in contanti e circa 0,745 azioni Disney per ognuno dei loro titoli.

(…). “Ha osservato l’amministratore delegato della Marvel, Ike Perlmutter, che restera’ a capo delle attività Marvel anche dopo il matrimonio: “Si tratta di un’opportunita’ senza precedenti per la Marvel di rafforzare il marchio con l’accesso alla straordinaria organizzazione globale della Disney”.

In questa prima ora di circolazione della notizia, le speculazioni si sprecano. Per esempio, Antonio Rispoli esterna su Julie News un pensiero saltato in testa a molti:
Che presto si possa vedere Spiderman che aiuta Topolino nelle indagini? O Gambadilegno che prova a prendersela con Bruce Banner prima di trovarsi di fronte l’incredibile Hulk?
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Chissà, forse no.
Ma va ricordato che invece, una decina di anni fa, quando in Casa Warner questa acquisizione avvenne, Superman e i suoi colleghi s’incontrarono con disinvoltura con Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck e tuti gli altri nei comic books della DC Comics.

Sopra, la copertina del primo fumetto in cui si consumò questo (pur breve) sodalizio.
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Gli interessati che vogliono conoscere alcuni dettagli in più, li tro9vano di seguito (in Inglese):
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Investor Conference Call:

An investor conference call will take place at approximately 10:15 a.m. EDT / 7:15 a.m. PDT today, August 31, 2009. To listen to the Webcast, turn your browser to http://corporate.disney.go.com/investors/presentations.html or dial in domestically at 800-260-8140 or internationally at 617-614-3672. For both dial-in numbers, the participant pass code is 51214527.

The discussion will be available via replay on the Disney investors website through September 14, 2009 at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT.
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About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, interactive media and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company with revenues of nearly $38 billion in its most recent fiscal year.
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About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics).
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Forward-Looking Statements:
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Certain statements in this communication may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to a variety of matters, including but not limited to: the operations of the businesses of Disney and Marvel separately and as a combined entity; the timing and consummation of the proposed merger transaction; the expected benefits of the integration of the two companies; the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical fact.
These statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Disney and Marvel regarding future events and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty.
Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Neither Disney nor Marvel undertakes any obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
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legal or regulatory proceedings or other matters that affect the timing or ability to complete the transactions as contemplated;
the possibility that the expected synergies from the proposed merger will not be realized, or will not be realized within the anticipated time period; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully;
the possibility of disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships;
the possibility that the merger does not close, including but not limited to, due to the failure to satisfy the closing conditions;
any actions taken by either of the companies, including but not limited to, restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments or asset acquisitions or dispositions);
developments beyond the companies’ control, including but not limited to: changes in domestic or global economic conditions, competitive conditions and consumer preferences; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters; health concerns; international, political or military developments; and technological developments.
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Additional factors that may cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Disney for the year ended September 27, 2008, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 20, 2008, under the heading “Item 1A—Risk Factors” and in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Marvel for the year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2009, under the heading “Item 1A—Risk Factors,” and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by each of Marvel and Disney.

Important Merger Information and Additional Information:
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This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, Disney and Marvel will file relevant materials with the SEC. Disney will file a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy statement of Marvel and which also constitutes a prospectus of Disney.
Marvel will mail the proxy statement/prospectus to its stockholders.Investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available, because it will contain important information.The proxy statement/prospectus and other documents that will be filed by Disney and Marvel with the SEC will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, or by directing a request when such a filing is made to The Walt Disney Company, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-9722, Attention: Shareholder Services or by directing a request when such a filing is made to Marvel Entertainment, Inc., 417 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10016, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Disney, Marvel, their respective directors and certain of their executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Marvel is set forth in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2009. Information about the directors and executive officers of Disney is set forth in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on January 16, 2009.Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such participants by reading the proxy statement/prospectus Disney and Marvel will file with the SEC when it becomes available.