Movie/TV News II

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

Here's some of last week's coal for the stocking:

LOS ANGELES — In a surprise ruling, a federal judge in Los Angeles said he intended to grant 20th Century Fox’s claim that it owns a copyright interest in the “Watchmen,” a movie shot by Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures and set for release in March.

The decision was disclosed in a five-page written order issued on Dec. 24th. Gary A. Feess, a judge in the United States District Court for Central California, said he would provide a more detailed order soon.

Fox has been seeking to prevent Warner from releasing the film. The superhero adventure, based on the “Watchmen” graphic novel, is being directed by Zack Snyder (who also directed “300”) and has shaped up as one of most eagerly anticipated releases for next year.

A Warner spokesman, Scott Rowe, declined to comment on the ruling and the studio’s plans.

At an earlier hearing, the judge said he believed that issues in the case could be settled only at a trial, which was scheduled for late January. On Wednesday, however, Judge Feess said he had reconsidered and concluded that Fox should prevail on crucial issues.

“Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the ‘Watchmen’ motion picture,” the ruling said.

Fox acquired rights to the “Watchmen” graphic novel in the late 1980s for the producer Lawrence Gordon, but eventually dropped its own plan to make a movie from its story, about the underside of life for superbeings.

Mr. Gordon later pursued the project with Universal Pictures, and then with Paramount Pictures, before shooting it with Warner and Legendary under an arrangement that allows Paramount to distribute the film abroad.

In ruling on Wednesday, Judge Feess advised both Fox and Warner to look toward a settlement or an appeal.

“The parties may wish to turn their efforts from preparing for trial to negotiating a resolution of this dispute or positioning the case for review,” he said.
_______________________________________

LOS ANGELES — Who’s watching the “Watchmen”? Come March 6, it may not be moviegoers.

A federal judge, having ruled last week that 20th Century Fox has distribution rights to “Watchmen,” an eagerly anticipated superhero movie shot by Warner Brothers, said he was inclined to decide after a hearing scheduled for Jan. 20 whether the release of the film should be blocked.

At a morning conference, lawyers for both studios heard the judge, Gary A. Feess, elaborate on his ruling, issued last Wednesday, that Fox owned an interest in “Watchmen,” a film Warner was preparing to release on March 6 in association with Legendary Pictures and Paramount Pictures.

“I thought we ought to talk,” Judge Feess told the lawyers in opening the session. In an exchange that quickly became testy, Steven A. Marenberg, a lawyer representing Warner, challenged the judge’s decision to rule in Fox’s favor without a trial. But Judge Feess said he planned to move on to the question of remedies rather than fight the issues again.

“I have spent more time than I think you can imagine working on your case at a time when I didn’t expect to be working on it,” Judge Feess said, referring to an expedited schedule that was intended to resolve the movie’s status before its planned release.

Hollywood ownership fights are not rare, but a dispute over a film that has already been shot and is on the verge of being released is highly unusual. Warner released a statement saying, “We respectfully but vigorously disagree with the court’s ruling and are exploring all of our appellate options.”

The film has been eagerly awaited since last year, when the director Zack Snyder, best known for “300,” announced that he planned a movie based on the widely known graphic novel “Watchmen.”

But the film became embroiled in an extraordinary dispute between studios last winter, when Fox filed suit, claiming that it owned the property on which the movie was based. As the case progressed, fingers pointed from all sides at Lawrence Gordon, the veteran producer who brought the film to Warner after failed attempts over the years to make it with Fox, Universal Pictures and then Paramount.

From the beginning, Fox has contended, among other things, that Mr. Gordon — who was never named as a defendant in the case — failed in an obligation to offer the movie to that studio when Mr. Snyder became involved. Mr. Snyder signed on in the wake of his success with “300” for Warner and Legendary, giving the project a cachet it had lacked.

Warner’s lawyers argued that Mr. Gordon and his lawyers had signed over rights to “Watchmen” without mentioning a crucial agreement between a company Mr. Gordon controlled and Fox. Also, they said that if anyone still owed a buyout fee to Fox, it was Mr. Gordon.

Judge Feess then weighed in with an unusual reprimand. In a footnote to his order indicating that he would rule in favor of Fox, the judge said Mr. Gordon’s decision to invoke attorney-client privilege rather than testify about his contractual arrangements had helped Fox.

“The court takes a dim view of this conduct,” Judge Feess wrote. “The court will not, during the remainder of this case, receive any evidence from Gordon that attempts to contradict any aspect of this court’s ruling on the copyright issues under discussion.”
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

Holy moley, true believers! Shocked

Walt Disney Co. is betting $4 billion that Iron Man and his fellow superheroes can help it beat the malaise gripping the entertainment industry.

Disney agreed Monday to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc., adding a legion of superheroes to a durable family of children's favorites. By marrying the X-Men and the Incredible Hulk with Snow White, Wall-E and Hannah Montana, the entertainment giant calculates it will be able to exploit a powerful stable of characters across movies, comic books, television channels, licensed merchandise and theme parks.

As DVD sales sink, Hollywood has been scrambling for new sources of ancillary revenue, such as toys, videogames, clothing and rollercoasters. Marvel, with its roster of 5,000 characters, could provide several years of fodder for Disney's entertainment and marketing empire.

Under the agreement, Marvel holders will receive $30 a share in cash plus about 0.745 Disney share for each Marvel share. Based on Friday's closing prices, the deal is valued at $50 per Marvel share, about a 29% premium.

Some rival studio executives questioned the price paid, with one saying that Disney was the only company willing to pay the hefty premium.

Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs said: "Marvel is worth more inside Disney than outside Disney."

By bringing in macho types such as Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, the Marvel deal would expand Disney's audience, adding properties that appeal to boys from their preteen years into young adulthood. That demographic group hasn't been swept up by Disney's recent hot properties, such as "High School Musical" and the Jonas Brothers.

The deal is Disney's biggest since its 2006 purchase of Pixar Animation Studios Inc., the creator of "Toy Story," for $7.4 billion in stock, an acquisition that was also considered pricey. The latest price is far less, but the deal comes with more baggage: Marvel is tied up with almost every studio in town, and unraveling those ties is going to become a long-term project for Disney.

Before Marvel began financing its own films, such as "The Incredible Hulk" and "Iron Man," it licensed its characters out to other studios.

Marvel owns Spider-Man, but it has a long-term agreement with Sony Corp. that allows Sony Pictures Entertainment to make movies based on the character, in exchange for royalties. Similarly, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox makes the movies starring Marvel's "X-Men."

While Marvel doesn't comment on those deals, it receives gross participation in the films, usually a percentage that analysts estimate to be as high as 5% off the top of the film's revenue.

Sony's first three Spider-Man films have taken in more than $1 billion at the domestic box office and DVD sales, and the studio has three more movies in development, and rights to make movies even beyond those.

Disney said it plans to assume production of more of the comic company's movies as deals with other studios expire.

Marvel also has a deal giving the Universal Studios theme parks rights to Marvel attractions in Florida and Japan, but Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said the company could mine Marvel's properties for rides at its parks in California, France, Hong Kong and elsewhere.

For its own franchises, Disney will need to build up some of the Marvel's lesser-known characters from scratch -- a potentially risky prospect, and part of the reason Marvel was eager to be acquired.

"We view this as an opportunity to attract more boys and older kids," Mr. Iger said in an interview Monday. "But this wasn't about, 'Oh my goodness, we have a hole to fill; we'd better do it with Marvel.' "

People familiar with the deal said it took about three months to put together. Marvel Chief Executive Ike Perlmutter is known for driving a hard bargain and had held preliminary discussions with a number of other entertainment companies, including Sony and Viacom Inc. The deal he struck stands to give him $600 million of Disney stock, making him the company's second-largest individual shareholder, behind Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs, who was a Pixar cofounder.

Mr. Perlmutter called Disney "the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses."

Mr. Iger forecast various ways that his company could make more money from the comic company's franchises. For instance, Disney XD, a cable channel aimed at boys, already carries about 20 hours a week of programming based on Marvel characters. This deal should enable Disney to add more programming without paying to license it. And Disney's global network for distributing consumer products and movies is likely to get Marvel material into more markets world-wide than they are currently in.

Mr. Iger said that John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Disney's Pixar Animation unit, had met with Marvel personnel in recent weeks to discuss creative and strategic alliances. But in an interview he added: "John won't have direct authority or involvement with the Marvel folks."

Disney's acquisition of Marvel constitutes a blow to the other Hollywood studios hungry for franchises, particularly Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures.

Spurred by the success of "Iron Man," Paramount struck a deal with Marvel Studios just under a year ago to distribute world-wide five future feature films, beginning with "Iron Man 2" and including a third "Iron Man" if the studio wants to make it. Disney will honor that agreement, which runs until those five films are released.

About 7% of Marvel's $676 million of revenue last year came from toys, down from more than 70% in 2000. The company's business model has shifted rapidly in recent years. Last year was the first year the company financed its own movies, which brought in $255 million during 2008 alone -- more than the company's entire revenue in 2000, which was about $232 million. Licensing has grown for Marvel, from 8% of revenue in 2000 to 43% last year.

Since 2007 licensing fees for the "Spider-Man" character alone generated about $188 million in revenue, which the company shares with Sony. Analysts have estimated Sony's share of those agreements is estimated at 25%.
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

The timing makes it look like a response to Marvel/Disney, but I'm sure this has been in the works for awhile:

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI) has created DC Entertainment Inc., a new company founded to fully realize the power and value of the DC Comics brand and characters across all media and platforms, to be run by Diane Nelson, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.

DC Entertainment, a separate division of WBEI, will be charged with strategically integrating the DC Comics business, brand and characters deeply into Warner Bros. Entertainment and all its content and distribution businesses. DC Entertainment, which will work with each of the Warner Bros. divisions, will also tap into the tremendous expertise the Studio has in building and sustaining franchises and prioritize DC properties as key titles and growth drivers across all of the Studio, including feature films, television, interactive entertainment, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products. The DC Comics publishing business will remain the cornerstone of DC Entertainment, releasing approximately 90 comic books through its various imprints and 30 graphic novels a month and continuing to build on its creative leadership in the comic book industry.

In her new role, Nelson will report to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, in order to best capitalize on DC Entertainment’s theatrical development and production activities and their importance to drive its overall business with each of the divisions of Warner Bros.

Nelson will bring her expertise and more than 20 years’ experience in creative brand management, strategic marketing and content development and production to ensuring DC Entertainment’s dual mission of marshalling Warner Bros.’ resources to maximize the potential of the DC brand while remaining respectful of and collaborative with creators, talent, fans and source material. Additionally, Nelson will continue to oversee the franchise management of the Harry Potter property, which she has done since 2000, and also continue to represent the Studio’s interests with the author of the Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling. Nelson will segue from her post as President, Warner Premiere but maintain oversight responsibilities of that division. (An executive succession plan for Warner Premiere will be announced shortly.)

Paul Levitz, who has served as President & Publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will segue from that role to return to his roots as a writer for DC and become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE. This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC’s business operations.

In his new role, Levitz will be called upon for his deep knowledge and more than three-decade history with DC Comics, both as a comic creator and an executive. Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles, he will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media. Additionally, he will consult as needed on the transition and integration of the DC Comics organization into DC Entertainment and will utilize his unique experience, knowledge and relationships with the comics industry’s creative community to help achieve DC Entertainment’s goal of maximizing the value of DC properties. Further, Levitz will advise DC Entertainment on creative and rights-holder relationships, in particular regarding the legacy relationships that have been a part of DC Comics for decades.

Widely recognized and respected for his support of writers, artists and creators in the comics industry, Levitz is best known creatively for his work with DC Comics, having written most of the classic DC characters, including Batman, Wonder Woman and the Superman newspaper strip. At Comicon International in 2008, Levitz was awarded the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the only industry executive ever so honored.

“DC Comics and its super hero characters are truly touchstones of popular culture, and the formation of DC Entertainment is a major step in our company’s efforts to realize the full potential of this incredible wellspring of creative properties,” said Meyer. “Diane knows our studio as a creative executive, a marketer and a senior manager, and this varied background will help her effectively and creatively integrate the DC brand and properties across all our businesses. We’re also thrilled that Paul will remain involved with DC and we’ll be able to tap his expertise to help us reach our goals for this new business.”

“It’s no secret that DC has myriad rich and untapped possibilities from its deep library of iconic and lesser-known characters,” said Horn. “While we’ve had great success in films and television, the formation of DC Entertainment will help us to bring more DC properties across additional platforms to fans around the world, while maintaining brand integrity and authenticity. Diane is a terrific choice to lead DC Entertainment, and with Paul in his new role as a valued consultant and contributing editor, both our company and comic fans win.”

“Based on the great success we’ve had working with DC Comics to create some of the most popular and successful super hero films of all time, I’ve long believed that there was much more we could do across all of Warner Bros.’ businesses with this great body of characters and stories,” said Robinov. “The prioritization of DC and the creation of DC Entertainment is a great opportunity that reaches far beyond the film group. There are endless creative possibilities to build upon the many significant successes already achieved by my colleagues Kevin Tsujihara and the Home Entertainment Group in the videogame, home video and direct-to-platform arenas and Bruce Rosenblum and the Television Group in live-action, animated and digital series. Collectively, we have the ability to grow a body of properties highlighting the iconic characters and the diversity of the creative output of DC Comics.”

“The founding of DC Entertainment fully recognizes our desire to provide both the DC properties and fans the type of content that is only possible through a concerted cross-company, multi-platform effort,” said Nelson. “DC Entertainment will help us to formally take the great working relationships between DC Comics and various Warner Bros. businesses to the next level in order to maximize every opportunity to bring DC’s unrivalled collection of titles and characters to life.”
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Johnny Depp, Miley Cyrus, John Travolta, Tim Burton, Nicolas Cage and the Muppets are all set to appear in upcoming Disney films, and they came to the Anaheim Convention Center to tell fans in person.

They joined Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook on Friday at the D23 Expo, Disney's answer to Comic-Con, for a presentation on the studio's forthcoming film slate.

Depp was welcomed with raucous applause as he sailed onstage in a pirate ship dressed as Capt. Jack Sparrow. He staggered about and embraced Cook, who announced that "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" would be released in the summer of 2011. Depp will also play Tonto in a big-screen adaptation of "The Lone Ranger," Cook said.

Cyrus performed her hit "The Climb" and discussed her role in "The Last Song" — a part Cook said was written just for her.

Travolta, along with wife Kelly Preston and daughter Ella Blue, presented their forthcoming flick, "Old Dogs," set for release in November. All three appear in the film, which also stars Robin Williams.

"I always appreciate the audience's love for me," Travolta said in his first public appearance since the death of his son, Jett, in January.

"I hope they love `Old Dogs' and much as we do, because I've got my baby in it," Travolta continued, referring to his daughter's film debut.

"We'll sign (her) a 25-picture deal," Cook said.

Burton showed footage from his 3-D take on "Alice in Wonderland," which stars Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen.

"I've always loved the imagery" of the Lewis Carroll story, Burton said, and the opportunity to tell it in 3-D seemed "trippy and great."

Cook announced another Burton-Disney project: The studio will release a feature-length version of Burton's animated short film, "Frankenweenie."

Cage came to unveil the trailer for "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," an adventure film based on "Fantasia" set for release next summer.

"To me, `Fantasia' is the most beautiful movie ever made," Cage said.

He also agreed on the spot to appear in another "National Treasure" film.

A cast of 24 Muppets performed "Rainbow Connection" aboard an old-fashioned steamboat as Cook announced that a new Muppet movie would be coming "very soon."

"It's called `The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made,'" he quipped.

The D23 star-power didn't stop there.

Robert Zemeckis offered a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming 3-D version of "A Christmas Carol," which features Jim Carrey playing eight different parts. Next, Zemeckis will write and direct a 3-D adaptation of the Beatles' 1968 classic animated film "Yellow Submarine," Cook said.

Jerry Bruckheimer presented a preview of "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," due next year. He will also helm "The Lone Ranger" production, Cook said.

Guillermo del Toro appeared on video from New Zealand to talk about his partnership with Disney on its new brand, Disney Double Dare You, which will release scary animated fare.

"We hope you take the dare," he said.

The first all-things-Disney convention runs through Sunday. The event's name signifies creator Walt Disney's 1923 move to Hollywood.
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

September 20, 2009 - The estate of comic book icon Jack Kirby has filed a copyright lawsuit against Marvel Entertainment, challenging the company's -- and its new potential corporate parent, Disney's -- long-term rights to certain characters. But Marvel and Disney aren't the only companies getting pulled into the fray; so are all the film studios producing movies based on characters that the late Kirby helped create during the Silver Age of Marvel Comics.

The New York Times reports that lawyers for the Kirby estate have "sent 45 notices of copyright termination to Marvel and Disney, as well as Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, and other companies that have been using the characters." Paramount is distributing Marvel's four upcoming self-produced movies: Iron Man 2, Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers; Fox holds the screen rights to the Fantastic Four and X-Men characters; Sony has Spider-Man; and Universal holds the screen rights to Hulk. None of the studios would comment for the Times, but Disney said in a statement that "the notices involved are an attempt to terminate rights 7 to 10 years from now, and involve claims that were fully considered in the acquisition."

(What's curious about the copyright termination notice sent to Sony is that their only Marvel movies are Spider-Man and Ghost Rider. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko have always been credited as the co-creators of Spider-Man, although there has long been debate over the extent of Kirby's involvement in the creation of the wall-crawler. Are the Kirbys looking to challenge Sony's claims to Spider-Man?)

Bleeding Cool reports that the Kirby estate's claims, "if found valid, would begin from 2014 and, as always, its worth noting that Marvel/Disney will still own the trademarks of the characters in comics, and the studios in movies. The likelihood is that, if successful, the Kirby estate would enter into negotiation with Marvel over terms to continue publishing comics based on his work." The Times adds, "If Mr. Kirby's four children were to gain the copyright to a character Mr. Kirby helped create, they might become entitled to a share of profits from films or other properties using it. They might also find themselves able to sell rights to certain characters without consent from Marvel, Disney or the various studios that have licensed the Marvel properties for their hit films."

What's worrisome for Marvel, Disney and the other studios involved is that the Kirby estate's counsel is Toberoff & Associates, the same L.A. law firm that helped win a ruling returning a share of the copyright in Superman to the estate of that character's co-creator Jerry Siegel. As Deadline Hollywood Daily points out, attorney Marc Toberoff is a highly feared copyright lawyer with a string of victories behind him in addition to the Superman/Siegel case, including successful lawsuits over Smallville, Wild Wild West, The Dukes of Hazzard, Get Smart, and Lassie.
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Tobey Maguire's web-slinging days are behind him.

The 34-year-old actor and "Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi will not be returning to the superhero franchise next year. Instead, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios announced Monday that a new "Spider-Man" film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on Peter Parker in high school would debut in the summer of 2012 with a new cast and filmmaking team.

"I am so proud of what we accomplished with the 'Spider-Man' franchise over the last decade," Maguire said in a statement Monday. "Beyond the films themselves, I have formed some deep and lasting friendships. I am excited to see the next chapter unfold in this incredible story."

The announcement of a reboot comes after reports that "Spider-Man 4" production stalled amid script revisions. The original "Spider-Man 4" release date seemed unlikely last week when Paramount Pictures announced that "Thor," another big-screen Marvel superhero adaptation, had hammered out the same May 6, 2011, release date as the fourth Spidey installment.

"Working on the 'Spider-Man' movies was the experience of a lifetime for me," Raimi, who directed all three "Spider-Man" films, also said in a statement Monday. "While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job."

Maguire said in an interview last week that there was "great stuff in terms of story and script" for the fourth chapter and the plan was to still release the film in 2011. He also said he had specific ideas about the evolution of the character on the big screen.

"Thor" experienced its own upheaval over the weekend. Stuart Townsend departed the adaptation because of creative differences, according to two AP sources close to the production. Townsend, who had been cast as an ally of the Norse god, was replaced by Joshua Dallas.

The three "Spider-Man" films continually snared moviegoers, earning over $1.1 billion combined. After glowing reaction to the first two films, critical response to "Spider-Man 3" was so-so. Raimi said he was undecided about returning to the franchise after the third movie but later said he didn't like thinking about somebody else making the Peter Parker story.

Sony said it would have more news about the next "Spider-Man" movie in coming weeks.
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

Hahaha oh wow

Two iconic American figures have joined forces, but it may not be the ones you expect. All-American teen Archie Andrews has partnered with rock ‘n’ roll legend Kiss in an upcoming series called, eponymously, ”Archie Meets Kiss.”

The four-part series launches Nov. 30 and, in the words of writer Alex Segura of Archie Comics, “brings together two pieces of Americana for the first time. ”

Jon Goldwater, CEO of Archie Comics, is a self-described “crazy Kiss fan,” even having a Kiss-themed party for his son’s Bar Mitzvah.

But Goldwater told ABC News that the idea of a partnership between Archie and Kiss came from Kiss bassist-vocalist Gene Simmons.

“One day I was lucky enough to get a call,” Goldwater said. Simmons flew him out to L.A. to discuss the idea of a partnership. “His ideas were extremely inspiring, and we thought it would be a wonderful thing for Archie,” Goldwater said.

The series will be a topsy-turvy, magical tale of a spell gone wrong that involves Archie and the gang, and Sabrina meeting the famed rockers.

Archie Comics hopes that the collision of characters will be enough to pull in a full audience — one that includes older Americans who grew up with the comics and younger fans too.

“Younger kids will enjoy the magical nature while older audiences will enjoy old rock ‘n’ roll,” said Goldwater. The Archie comic turns 70 years old this December, which is eight years older than Simmons.

For parents worried that Kiss’ mature themes may be too much for younger kids, Simmons offers words of comfort.

“Kiss is all things to all people,” Simmons told the New York Post. “A 5- or 10-year-old fan doesn’t look at the lascivious nature of my tongue the same way someone much older would — such a thing is not obvious to a 5-year-old, nor should it be.”

Goldwater, in addition to hoping the series and comic does well, has one other wish.

“Maybe the kids will even pick up a Kiss album,” said Goldwater.

Fans can expect to rock ‘n’ roll but maybe not all night … Archie and the gang have a curfew.
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP

JJc14 · **JJc14**

Nobuyuki · **Nobuyuki**

Pray the deal isn't altered any further. Shocked

Continuing its strategy of delivering exceptional creative content to audiences around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. in a stock and cash transaction. Lucasfilm is 100% owned by Lucasfilm Chairman and Founder, George Lucas.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012, the transaction value is $4.05 billion, with Disney paying approximately half of the consideration in cash and issuing approximately 40 million shares at closing. The final consideration will be subject to customary post-closing balance sheet adjustments.

“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value.”

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm. “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.”

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Lucasfilm, a leader in entertainment, innovation and technology, including its massively popular and “evergreen” Star Wars franchise and its operating businesses in live action film production, consumer products, animation, visual effects, and audio post production. Disney will also acquire the substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies that have kept audiences enthralled for many years. Lucasfilm, headquartered in San Francisco, operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound, and the present intent is for Lucasfilm employees to remain in their current locations.

Kathleen Kennedy, current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, will become President of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Additionally she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars, working directly with Disney’s global lines of business to build, further integrate, and maximize the value of this global franchise. Ms. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future.

The acquisition combines two highly compatible family entertainment brands, and strengthens the long-standing beneficial relationship between them that already includes successful integration of Star Wars content into Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Tokyo.

Driven by a tremendously talented creative team, Lucasfilm’s legendary Star Wars franchise has flourished for more than 35 years, and offers a virtually limitless universe of characters and stories to drive continued feature film releases and franchise growth over the long term. Star Wars resonates with consumers around the world and creates extensive opportunities for Disney to deliver the content across its diverse portfolio of businesses including movies, television, consumer products, games and theme parks. Star Wars feature films have earned a total of $4.4 billion in global box to date, and continued global demand has made Star Wars one of the world’s top product brands, and Lucasfilm a leading product licensor in the United States in 2011. The franchise provides a sustainable source of high quality, branded content with global appeal and is well suited for new business models including digital platforms, putting the acquisition in strong alignment with Disney’s strategic priorities for continued long-term growth.

The Lucasfilm acquisition follows Disney’s very successful acquisitions of Pixar and Marvel, which demonstrated the company’s unique ability to fully develop and expand the financial potential of high quality creative content with compelling characters and storytelling through the application of innovative technology and multiplatform distribution on a truly global basis to create maximum value. Adding Lucasfilm to Disney’s portfolio of world class brands significantly enhances the company’s ability to serve consumers with a broad variety of the world’s highest-quality content and to create additional long-term value for our shareholders.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Lucasfilm have approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, and other customary closing conditions. The agreement has been approved by the sole shareholder of Lucasfilm.
_________________
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."- C.S. Lewis
Wink

"Superman can't be emo. He can't cut himself."-CP


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