Disney to acquire Marvel for $4 billion
Home of Mickey Mouse swoops for over 5000 Marvel characters including Spider-Man, Iron Man and the X-Men
The Walt Disney Company is to acquire Marvel Entertainment - including its portfolio of over 5000 characters - for USD 4 billion.
Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of USD 30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own.
"This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximises the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories," said Robert A Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
"Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney."
Overseeing the acquisition will be Marvel's chief executive Ike Perlmutter, who will be charged with integrating the company's properties.
"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," added Perlmutter.
"This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney’s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world."