As what could be considered one of the largest media deals of all time, with Disney buying up assets from Fox, could be announced as early as tomorrow, so many fans are focused on the multiple Marvel titles and characters that could be brought home to the company who purchased Marvel for $4 Billion in 2009. But another possible acquisition that deserves a deeper look, if the deal goes through, is that of Avatar and the four sequels that are being directed by James Cameron.
With an entire land devoted to Avatar at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Disney already has a vested interest the film franchise, but it means more than another blockbuster at the theater. It also gives them licensing and merchandise rights. Disney’s theme parks and retail stores will be filled with little ‘plush banshees’ and every other merchandising opportunity they can come up with.
Avatar is still the highest grossing movie of all-time and with multiple sequels on the way, Avatar gives Disney yet more chances to continue its streak of smashing worldwide box office records. If this deal goes through you could count Disney as owning seven of the top ten worldwide highest grossing movies of all time. Worldwide Avatar is still extremely popular, but If the sequels don’t rival the success of the original, it will still be a win even if they bring in just a small fraction of the money that the first film did.
During a recent interview, director James Cameron was asked what it would mean to him if the movie studio was sold to Disney. “Probably not that much,” answered Cameron. He says he’s “always had a good relationship with Fox,” so any sale to Disney “wouldn’t be bad,” he explains. He says Disney “actually at this point in time has a bigger investment” in the franchise than Fox.
Disney and Avatar have been working together on their joint theme park venture for some time and the relationship has been mutually beneficial. The newest addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora – The World of Avatar has been a huge success, but the chance to bring the entire franchise into the Disney fold makes the possibilities limitless for the company.
How they will integrate the various Fox assets if the deal goes through has been a big question, but integrating this into their portfolio will be as easy as bringing the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Bringing home the rights to the original Star Wars film along with several key Marvel titles are extremely important, but if you consider the total revenue that adding Avatar to the mix could bring in, this could end up being the most important piece of the pie.