Disney has just acquired the rights and assets of 21st Century Fox in a historic deal worth $52 billion. This is so much more than a simple business transaction – such a deal could change the entertainment landscape in ways we never thought of.
The reports of Disney being in talks with now-acquired corporation have been around since November. Marvel fans might be happy to hear that this creates opportunities to include Deadpool, Fantastic Four and other X-Men into the MCU.
Under the deal, expected to close in 12 to 18 months, Disney acquires 21st Century Fox’s film and television studios, its cable entertainment networks and international TV businesses. That brings marquee franchises like “Avatar” and “The Simpsons” inside the Mouse House, on top of Iger’s previous purchases, including Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment and “Star Wars” producer Lucasfilm.
The deal also includes 22 of Fox’s regional sports networks that have the rights to televise live games of U.S. professional baseball, basketball and hockey teams as well as popular college and high school games.
Twitter users didn’t miss the chance to point out that this is one of the things Simspons “predicted” two decades ago – in a 1998 episode When You Dish Upon a Star.