Walt Disney Studios (NYSE: DIS) announced today via a press release that the company has entered into an exclusive multi-year first look deal with Stan Lee (the creator of Spider-Man, X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, The Fantastic Four, Ironman and more) and his production company, POW! Entertainment. Stan Lee stated that the partnership, "is like the realization of a dream." For Disney, the possibilities are endless.
Not only has Disney announced they are already working on new film ideas with Stan Lee, but they are also, "collaborating with him on a wide range of new projects for all divisions of our company." In turn, Gill Champion, COO of POW! Entertainment said, "There can be no better opportunity to perpetuate the Stan Lee/POW! brand for all media than to be associated with the Disney Studio. No one better understands the incalculable value and importance of developing, producing, distributing and marketing new global franchises. We are incredibly impressed with the professionalism and valuable input from the executive and creative talen who we now so eagerly join."
Maybe I'm just a bit jaded from my time in Corporate America, but I read those quotes and wonder whatever happened to the man and the mouse? Somewhere Walt Disney's vision of creating entertainment families could enjoy together, whether it be a film, theme park, etc., has been replaced with "new global franchises." It's kind of sad, but alas, the business machine must keep churning and expanding for the stockholders to be satisfied. My Spidey sense tells me the Disney merchandising staff is chomping at the bit to move this venture along.
What do you think about this new partnership?
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Tracked on: June 12, 2007 1:34 PM | Permalink to Trackback