Disney+Fox=?

I heard that Disney may buy FOX!

Does this mean that shows that are FOX-owned may have to tone it down? And what would happen to ESPN? Or will it be like the CNN/ABC merger that never happened?

I'm more curious if that finally means that a bunch of movies that used to be mistaken for Disney ones such as Anastasia and Fern Gully will finally be considered Disney.

Hmm, Don Bluth's studio in Ireland got torpedoed by Rock-A-Doodle, so while Bluth directed Anastasia, it was made under the 20th Century Fox aegis. That one would transfer to Disney as a house asset. Ferngully, however, only got distributorship through Fox Corporation; its production is by Fai Films, so Fox really doesn't have title to it. I'm not sure where Ferngully will end up. Disney's fine, so's Warner Brothers. If it continues under its current helm, though, Ferngully might end up a vestigial property, only seen when a broadcaster is willing to pay an exhibition license fee. And pray it never ends up under Viacom; they hold on to their productions so tightly that they might as well toss 'em in a fire.

I'm not sure Disney needs more channels / outlets right now. They already dominate the broadcast arena. This would be a mostly hostile take-over, sundering the studios and their management, leaving only production staff and in-the-can films intact. If Disney ever merges with Microsoft, then we'll have a real Galactic Empire. Oh, and a handy link: All Animation Is Disney.

I'm afraid Disney may buy The Beatles songs!

MrCleveland said:I'm afraid Disney may buy The Beatles songs!

I don't think that's happening.

As for FernGully, much as I would love for it to stay with Fox, Oneuglybunny was not far off the mark. After doing some reading, it seems McGrath Nicol has expressed interest in selling all ownership to the 2 films and the FAI since 2012:

Cartoon crisis as Australian animated film companies are liquidated - SmartCompany

As for the deal, I'm mixed about it, but mostly excited. On one hand, it means Fox and Star Wars together again and endless possibilities. However, this means layoffs and less competition in Hollywood.

Most of my comicbook reading friends see this as a chance to merge the Marvel properties controlled by FOX (X-Men, Fantastic Four) with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.But I, as well as others here, am somewhat concerned about yet more characters owned by the House of Mouse.

My question is...who owns Garfield? I hear the TV specials and series was once owned by FOX...are they now Disney?

Creator Jim Davis is still alive, and holds all rights and title to Garfield, Odie, Jon Arbuckle and the entire Garfield Universe. Garfield And Friends, while produced by Fox through an outsourced animation studio, is still a Jim Davis property. Fox can't do anything with it unless Davis gives the go-ahead. Even if this series transfers to Disney under the acquisition, Disney would have to secure all new licensing and broadcast rights from Jim Davis, LLC. Tall order, considering Davis has trademarked Garfield. Just like the Walt Disney Company, Davis knows the best way to put legal landmines around your characters is to trademark them.

oneuglybunny said:Creator Jim Davis is still alive, and holds all rights and title to Garfield, Odie, Jon Arbuckle and the entire Garfield Universe. Garfield And Friends, while produced by Fox through an outsourced animation studio, is still a Jim Davis property. Fox can't do anything with it unless Davis gives the go-ahead. Even if this series transfers to Disney under the acquisition, Disney would have to secure all new licensing and broadcast rights from Jim Davis, LLC. Tall order, considering Davis has trademarked Garfield. Just like the Walt Disney Company, Davis knows the best way to put legal landmines around your characters is to trademark them.

Okay then...so Garfield is owned by PAWS Inc. and would only be distributed to Disney if Jim Davis gives them the green light...

I don't think Fox owns Garfield and Friends, in fact they never did and this article proves it:

Kidscreen » Archive » 9 Story acquires global rights to Garfield toon

With that, we have 2 updates on the acquisition. Rumor has it, Comcast is throwing their hat back in the ring:

Disney's Acquisition Of Fox May Not Be A Done Deal - A New Report Indicates That Comcast May Top Their Bid

Then, Disney Television Animation News reported tonight an update on the deal from Bob Iger himself:

"Disney CEO Bob Iger Provides Update On Fox Acquisition
Disney and 21st Century Fox made waves last year with their landmark deal, and now Disney’s CEO has given fans an update.
Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke to investors on the Quarter 1 earnings call, where he addressed the acquisition of 20th Century Fox (among other properties), how the deal is progressing, and what the next steps are.“Thanks, Low, and good afternoon, everyone,” Iger said. “Before we discuss the quarter and other developments across the company, a quick update about our recently announced acquisition. The regulatory process has begun in numerous jurisdictions across the world. And I spent the last several weeks meeting with a number of business leaders at Fox, gaining insight that will be invaluable when it comes to integrating our organizations once we have regulatory approval."Those regulatory processes that Iger is referring to could allow other companies to place a bid on the assets from 21st Century Fox, with the most recent rumor indicated Comcast might want to get into the mix.After that hurdle is cleared, Iger is excited not only about the new content but the teams and talent that are coming with those projects and IP."After these discussions, I’m even more enthusiastic about the businesses we’re acquiring and the management teams that are leading them. As we said, when we announced this deal, there are three primary strategic priorities fulfilled by this acquisition. It will deliver more content and the production capabilities and talent to produce even more. It will enhance our direct-to-consumer initiatives with platforms, technologies, brands and existing customer relationships to build on. And it will greatly diversify our businesses geographically. All three of these elements sync up perfectly with our own core strategies, and all three are designed to create growth in a very dynamic global marketplace.”"

I only asked about Garfield since the DVDs and Garfield movies were distributed by FOX...and distributed under something isn't the same as being owned...correct?

Plus...I'm sure that soon by 2020...there'll be only three US studios...

Disney...which will have FOX and maybe Universal.
Sony...which may buy Viacom.
Warner...which is big by itself thanks to Ted Turner.

Yes, distribution and ownership are 2 different things. However, Fox owns the live-action/CGI hybrid movies

Nailwraps said:Yes, distribution and ownership are 2 different things. However, Fox owns the live-action/CGI hybrid movies

I think that's where it confused me...okay then...

FOX is now owned by Disney!

But now...there's layoffs! :jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop: