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Disney And Fox Approve Merger, Paving The Way For X-Men Acquisition

Avengers vs X-Men on the way?

48 Comments

Walt Disney and 21st Century Fox have voted in favor of a deal in which Disney will acquire large portions of the Fox company. The $71.3 billion deal will include 20th Century Fox film and TV studios, along with FX, Nat Geo, Star India, and Fox's 30% stake in Hulu and 39% stake in Sky.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that the combination merger proposal received a majority of shareholder votes from Fox remarkably quickly, in just eight minutes. This appears to pave the way for Disney to own even more iconic brands, including the X-Men and Fantastic Four, both of which could finally find their way into the MCU.

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There has been a tense bidding war going on between Disney and Comcast for Fox and its assets. Comcast recently dropped its own $65 billion bid, paving the way for this merger to take place. Comcast reportedly remains interested in acquiring Sky's assets.

Disney itself has emphasized the deal as a win for audiences, saying that buying Fox will help them make "richer, more complex worlds of inter-related characters and stories that audiences have shown they love." Aside from the obvious Marvel comics synergy, this would also give Disney control over the Avatar franchise, The Simpsons, and the Alien and Predator series.

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fishnpeas1

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As good as it sounds on paper for the Marvel side, I'm more worried about all the other franchises Fox owns getting neutered and pillaged.

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demon-returns

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Edited By demon-returns

@lorrijrogers:

Disney itself has emphasized the deal as a win for audiences, saying that buying Fox will help make them even more rich

Fixed that for you!

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gamingdevil800

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Oh yeah this means we will eventually see Galactus aka a bigger threat than Thano's.

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Reavern

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@gamingdevil800: Physically, yes, Galactus is bigger than Thanos. Galactus devours entire planets, but when Thanos wields the Infinity Gauntlet with all the Infinity Stones/Gems, he controls the entire universe. Thanos could shrink Galactus to the size of a grape and smoosh him between his finger and thumb.

I'd like to see a better depiction of Galactus than FF2, wherein Galactus was merely an elemental force of destruction but had no personality. Disney-Marvel got Thanos right by kinda making him the star of Infinity War. If Galactus was portrayed that well, he'd be an incredible villain.

If and when Disney buys 20th Century Fox and they acquire the X-Men and FF franchises, Disney-Marvel could make the next Phase of the MCU a build-up to Galactus, spanning multiple films. It would be a mistake to one-shot Galactus in a single movie.

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gamingdevil800

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Edited By gamingdevil800

@reavern: Yeah thats what I mean't by the "bigger threat" something to build towards. I don't know a whole lot about Marvel villains but I'm not familiar with any villains as powerful as Thanos/Galactus in terms of devastating force.

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planetgloom

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Oh boy, I can't wait to see what director they fire next, with all these extra IP's

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James_xeno

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"Disney itself has emphasized the deal as a win for audiences, saying that buying Fox will help them make "richer, more complex worlds of inter-related characters and stories that audiences have shown they love.""

ROFLMAO............. *pukes*

---------------------------------

"Aside from the obvious Marvel comics synergy, this would also give Disney control over the Avatar franchise, The Simpsons, and the Alien and Predator series."

JFC..... G rated Alien and Predatormovies for the whole family incoming.. (along with the first female predator most likely.. as long as the predators are the good guys OC.... -_-)

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June-GS

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Edited By June-GS

@James_xeno:

I mostly agree with what you said, except for the "female Predator" part. I don't see any problems with that. Why, do you? I'd be pretty curious to see that. The lore states that the Predator warrior society isn't patriarchal at all (like the Klingons or even our own Vikings). So if anything, we're actually long overdue for an appearance by a female Predator, because it's actually very inaccurate to see all-male Predators. In fact, my friends and I have a sneaking suspicion that that big thing in the Predator trailer could be a female (except for mammals,most females in the animal kingdom are far larger than males,thus,giant spider queens). But I've always been Fair. So with that said, and my curiousity above not withstanding, a girl Predator? Hell, it's going to be one big ugly m**********r......

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James_xeno

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@June-GS:

To be fair, i have always thought about and wanted to know too. My complaint is more along the lines of why and thus how it's going to be done. But yeah, being bigger and maybe even badder is a real possibility. (especially with the earlier point) Either way though, i fear that the movies from here on out are probably going to be going the safest route they can.

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June-GS

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@James_xeno:

By "why", you mean instead of doing it for in-universe reasons--like I just did, they're gonna do it for our-universe diversity reasons? Yeah, I hear that. Diversity is almost always a good thing, except when it's forced AND poorly executed (e.g. 2016's Ghostbusters,etc.). So yeah, I wouldn't be cool with that, either. As for Disney taking the safest route possible, oh, you're preachin' to the choir, my friend (you should see my other comments here). If anything, you're being too polite with them. Some fanboy-ish folks here are sayin', "No, Disney's NEVER gonna do that! They're too smart & all-knowing & un-failing to ever tone down sex & violence in anything! Never, I say!" LAWL. No offense to these guys (as they probably mean well), but they're obviously confusing Disney's ACTUAL history, with their own wishful thinking...

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James_xeno

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@June-GS:

Yeah pretty much agree on all points.. very well put i might add.. All we could is hope they don't go nuts and we really do end up with a G rated ver of the movies or some bullshit.. but.. like you said.. it is Disney we are talking about... ugh

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OrgeLambart

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Disney owning the Simpsons,, so does that mean we may get another Simpsons movie? Would be nice..

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Reavern

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@OrgeLambart: Probably yes, but I'd respect Disney more if they ended The Simpsons series. It's long overdue. Simpsons has gone downhill since Season 10 and it's no longer relevant. Disney should end it, perhaps with a second movie, wait 5-10 years, until someone comes along with a compelling new take on The Simpsons.

I'll use the new Duck Tales series as a perfect example. I fondly remember the original Duck Tales, but the new series is amazing. The characters are so well defined and distinct, and they even have an ongoing story arc involving the mystery of Della Duck, making it much more than a Disney cartoon for kids.

If the Simpsons was given a long overdue break and then brought back like that, it could be amazing again.

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michaeldark

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The company that destroyed Star Wars get their hands on more Marvel superheroes. I so happy!

No I'm not! Stop buying and ruining everything I love! Now!

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Reavern

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@michaeldark: I don't blame Disney for "destroying" Star Wars. Kathleen Kennedy, Roundhead Rian Johnson, and J.J. Abrams are to blame for ruining Star Wars.

Disney has done a spectacular job with the MCU. In 10 years, the MCU has become the greatest film franchise in history, and Disney deserves credit for that. Disney committed to a long-term goal with MCU and they accomplished something that has never been done before. I commend them for that.

Disney entrusted Star Wars to the wrong people on both the film side, with Kennedy-Abrams-Johnson, and the video game side, with EvilCorp. Disney needs to correct their mistakes and put someone worthy in charge of Star Wars, like Dave Filoni.

If and when Disney acquires the X-Men and FF franchises, they will presumably fall under the umbrella of the MCU and the same talented people that built the MCU. I'm certain that they'll do an excellent job with X-Men and FF.

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KainFourteh

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@michaeldark: Be quiet. Them getting X-Men and fantastic four is nothing but a good thing, for all media that they can now be used in, including comics.

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OrgeLambart

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@michaeldark: they didn't ruin anything they added to the universe.. If you dislike the new additions, then don't watch them, you'll always have the older versions of the movies to enjoy.. Better than Lucas who was content to let star wars sit for nearly 20 years with nothing happening.. Atleast Disney is actually doing something with Star Wars.

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gamingdevil800

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@OrgeLambart: Star Wars was hardly "sitting for 20 years with nothing happening" between the 2005 revenge of the sith and the 2015 Force Awakens. There was the clone wars and a steady amount of star wars video games, books etc

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WarGreymon77

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Edited By WarGreymon77

Star. Wars.

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j3DiKNiGHtDAVE

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Welcome home X-Men and F4, its been too long... Now we just have to get spidy from sonys death grip.

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June-GS

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Rated-R Revolution, I guess you did die with Logan after all, didn't you? Sigh... You will be missed, old friend. Rest in Peace...

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PrpleTrtleBuBum

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The comic book fan loves, the hippie is afraid

What will Disney devour next?

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santinegrete

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If Deadpool appears on MCU, does it mean they gonna tune down the blood of his action until there's bloodless shooting like in Black Panther and wash the particular humor of the hero?

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OrgeLambart

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@santinegrete: well Deadpool won't be getting a third movie, Ryan Reynolds already said he won't make a third movie.. So if you're ok with another actor taking over the title role then great, I'm sure it won't tone down the violence and other stuff.. Did you know Disney has porn studios as well...

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TrueLink

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@OrgeLambart: Ryan Reynolds said he didn't want to do another solo Deadpool movie. He wants to do an X-Force movie with Deadpool in it because he feels there are better story opportunities there.

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OrgeLambart

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@TrueLink: i see I was under the impression he didn't want to play the character again.. maybe i'm wrong..

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Reavern

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@OrgeLambart: You're so gullible if you believe that. Daniel Craig also said he wouldn't do another Bond movie. He said that after Skyfall and Spectre. But he's coming back again for Bond 25. It's a common tactic that actors use to compel the studio to pay them more money.

Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox has been on the table for more than a year. Reynolds anticipated that the Deadpool franchise would be in jeopardy if and when Disney acquired the rights to the X-Men franchise, so he's been acting like it's a foregone conclusion. What's the point in developing a third Deadpool movie if Disney won't allow Reynolds to do it his way? But if Disney decides they want to do another Deadpool sequel starring Ryan Reynolds, Reynolds is in a much stronger bargaining position. If Disney wants Reynolds back, he'll make them give him complete creative control. And they will. Because if Disney doesn't, the Deadpool franchise is dead. No one will want to watch a Disney Deadpool movie. The only way the fans will watch it is if Ryan Reynolds returns.

Deadpool 1 and 2 are ranked #4 and #5, respectively, on 20th Century Fox's highest grossing films of all time. Deadpool's success is probably a significant factor in Disney upping its bid to $71 billion. Why would Disney spend billions of dollars more to acquire the film rights to a dead franchise? It doesn't make business sense.

If and when Disney buys 20th Century Fox, I'm certain they will negotiate a deal with Ryan Reynolds for more Deadpool sequels, plural.

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OrgeLambart

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@reavern: why do people assume Disney will make all the marvel movies kid movies.. it's like people don't realize Disney has porno studios and as much as they are family friendly they also like to make non family friendly projects if it makes bank.. like Dead Pool 3 would do without being Disneyfied..

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santinegrete

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@OrgeLambart: of course I knew that, but they care to have a low profile with that for a reason. Gonna admit, if it is the facialabuse portal, I'm gonna be surprised.

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OrgeLambart

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@santinegrete: my point was that they have no reason to tone down the violence and curing and anything else on a potential third Deadpool movie because that movie made bank.. Just because it's Disney doesn't mean everything is going to be family friendly wholesome fun.. like the aforementioned Porn studios.. Disney as a whole is a business, they want to make money,, taking Deadpool and making it something else isn't a great way to make money.. That's aside from the whole Ryan Reynolds doesn't want to make a third movie thing.. Kinda sucks because Deadpool and Deadpool 2 were both amazing, and Reynolds killed that part... I guess he doesn't want to fall into being typecast into that role.. who knows..

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deactivated-60805f69c9188

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@santinegrete: of course that’s what it means. And before any of you say “OH HURR DURRR BOB IGER SAID”...I don’t give a shit what Bob Iger said...if you think Disney is going to allow R rated gore fest movies with sex jokes into their beloved cookie cutter MCU, where everything is funny and sunshine and rainbows, nobody curses, shits or has sex, and if shit goes to down it’s quickly solved and everyone lives happily ever after, then you are delusional. You just watch and see what I mean.

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Reavern

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@kstaggs87: You are delusional if you think that Disney plans to spend 70+ billion dollars on 20th Century Fox and not make a sequel to the #4 and #5 highest grossing films that Fox has ever made.

Disney is evolving. They're not just about G-rated "family friendly" entertainment anymore. Disney has learned from their mistakes of the past by pigeon-holing themselves with the FF identity, which has raised controversy whenever they delved into "progressive" territory. Disney knows that inclusion is good and it doesn't pay to discriminate.

Also, Disney is acquiring 20th Century Fox for a reason, and it's not just about the film rights to the X-Men and FF franchises. Disney wants Fox's catalog of movies, knowing that many of them are R-rated. Disney needs a diverse catalog of movies for its video streaming service because even Disney knows that Disney, Pixar, MCU, and Star Wars aren't enough to compete with Netflix, which has eclipsed Disney as the largest media production company in the world. Disney needs those R-rated movies, past, present, and future. And Disney isn't stupid enough to "Disney-fy" them into G-rated movies.

To be fair, Fox already made that mistake and it failed miserably. It turned R-rated franchises like Die Hard, Alien, and Predator into PG-13 movies. Disney is smart enough to recognize why the PG-13 sequels failed and approve R-rated sequels.

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Poodger

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@kstaggs87: there have been plenty of racy jokes in the MCU already.

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KainFourteh

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@kstaggs87: They could just not have him in the MCU and still male the movies, or if they did, just tone him down in MCU appearances.

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Thretosix

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@kstaggs87: Deadpool movies would still be filmed under 21st Centurty Fox. Just like Star Wars movies are filmed by Lucasfilm. They are just owned by Disney. This allows the creative freedom for the companies to continue making films, even films that are rated R. Will some things change, perhaps, but likely for the better, by this I'm talking about the obvious such as F4 - XMen and the MCU.

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deactivated-60805f69c9188

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@Thretosix: I will agree F4 needs a solid reboot, X-Men on the other hand...I guess I’ll see how dark Phoenix is before I make a suggestion on that lol.

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santinegrete

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@Thretosix: specially F4.

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June-GS

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@santinegrete & @Zerabp:

You're forgetting blood-less, gore-less, sex-less & curse-less hunting in Alien and Predator entries. I'm chuckling right now as I'm imagining it. Yeah, you're such a dick, Disney.

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OrgeLambart

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@June-GS: you know Disney has porno movies

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June-GS

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Edited By June-GS

@OrgeLambart:

I don't. Now assuming you're not another Russian troll agent, and it's not more fake news, okay, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Give me a credible source (i.e. NOT Fox News, Putin, etc.), and I'll look into it, to see if it's true. If it's just bull, then I won't even bother replying again.

PS: Someone above mentioned something about "facials" or whatever. I don't need crap like that. I'm talking about official & credible documentation/report confirming Disney's link with whatever you people are talking about. If you can't, then like I said, it's just bull, so NVM.

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Zerabp

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@santinegrete: Excellent question.

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wicked_laugh

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Looks like Hugh Jackman will be reconsidering Logan as the last time he plays Wolverine.

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Richardthe3rd

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@wicked_laugh: while I don't think we could ever get enough of Jackman's Wolvie, this is probably more justification for Disney to recast the character.

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