Stan Lee Going to Disney
While Disney, and especially the theme Parks, is my biggest hobby, they are not the only things I love. There is more (I know, that is hard to believe being the Disney Geek I am). No, I will not bore you with a list of all the other things I do and collect but with the news I read this week I could not help myself rambling about at least one of the other things I am a devoted fan of. Now don’t run away from this, it is related to Disney in a big way…
I am a big comic collector. I have well over 10.000 comics and most of them are from Marvel. I totally geek out on anything related to the X-Men, but love many other Marvel comics to. I also enjoy most of the Marvel related movies, although Spiderman III was a big letdown. (I had to say it! Common fellow comic fans; the original Venom story line is so much better, what they did with him in the movie was just wrong and boring). But let’s get to the point of this blog entry: The big news of this week was the deal between Disney and POW. POW is a company from Stan Lee, the godfather of comics and the marvelous marvel of the Marvel Universe (I know, that was lame). I am sure you seen the story online already, but here is some of my personal thoughts on the news.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lee and his production company will develop and produce all forms of entertainment. “As the father of such renowned comic book heroes as Spider-Man, The Hulk, X-Men among others, Stan is considered one of the most creative and inventive forces in the industry today. His innate talent of tapping into the human qualities of his super hero characters has certainly struck a chord with generations of audiences and readers around the world. We are honored to be working with someone as formidable as Stan and his production company and welcome them to the Disney family.” (Biz Yahoo)
Disney and Stan Lee teaming up! It is like a dream come true. Here is a man that brought us all those great character and had a big impact on the entertainment industry. Hollywood would look different without him. Bringing him into the Disney family is a win-win situation with a bright and great future. Just look at Island of Adventure and the great Marvel Island they have (Including a great Rogue billboard and with Rogue running in the park I am always a happy man – I have now reached the status of Super Geek for sure). Imagine the possibilities Stan Lee will bring to Disney. Now don’t think Spider-Man will be swinging around at Disney any time soon, or even at all. Marvel and its characters are not part of the deal. POW and Stan Lee are brought into the Disney Family for new creations and to give Disney the possibility to have a first look at POW’s new ideas, concepts and creations. Remember “Who wants to be a Super Hero”? Now Disney will be the first to have the possibility to check out the new POW ideas and if they see any potential in it they can develop something around it. This could be for TV or a movie, or even something for the parks and I am really hoping this will be the case. I can only see big things when Disney and Stan Lee would put their minds together and would create something new and innovating for the theme Park industry. I am totally loving it…
“It’s like the realization of a dream. Ever since I was a young boy, Disney represented the best and most exciting film fare to me. And now, many decades later, with movies such as their incredible Pirates of the Caribbean spectaculars, Disney is still at the forefront of family entertainment, excelling in live action, animation, TV, theme parks — whatever it takes to bring fun and fantasy to audiences everywhere. I look forward with indescribable enthusiasm to being a part of that world and contributing whatever I can to keep the legend alive and growing,” said Stan Lee, chairman of POW! Entertainment. (Biz Yahoo)
As you can read Stan is loving it too. I really hope he will get the opportunity to create something incredible for Disney. And talking about Incredible, Disney already has Super Hero Experience with the Incredibles. Yes I know, it is PIXAR, but Disney knew how to sell it to the world and they will be able to do the same for Stan Lee’s future projects.
Oren Aviv, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, added, “Stan Lee is a living legend in the world of pop culture and his characters and stories have been the inspiration for some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. We’re very excited to be working with him and his talented team in creating some incredible new motion picture experiences. Stan has so many fantastic new ideas for films, and we can’t wait to get started.” (Biz Yahoo)
Even with my high hopes for a Stan Lee creation in the park, a movie might be the very first thing we will see coming out of this deal. Who know, a ride experience might then follow.
Bob Chapek, president, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, was instrumental in bringing this deal to Disney and will work closely with Lee on many of his projects. (Biz Yahoo)
Thank you Bob
Chapek said, “Stan is not only loved by fans of the genre, but is one of the most respected and admired figures in the entertainment industry. In fact, it’s hard to think of another individual who has created as many memorable and appealing characters. We’re thrilled that Stan has decided to make Disney his new home, and feel very fortunate to be collaborating with him on a wide range of new projects for all divisions of our company. His track record is impressive by any measure, and Home Entertainment is sure to benefit from his creations.” (Biz Yahoo)
And so will many fans benefit from it. All super geeks (including me, so I can see geek) must love this deal. But I am sure many non-geeks will get to see some amazing stuff too. How many people went to see the Spiderman movies and had never read a comic before. Many of these liked the movie and the character, even without the comic book background known to them.
Gill Champion, POW! Entertainment, COO says, “There can be no better opportunity to perpetuate the Stan Lee/Pow! brand for all media than to be associated with the Disney Studio. No one better understands the incalculable value and importance of Developing, Producing, Distributing and Marketing new global franchises. We are incredibly impressed with the professionalism and valuable input from the executive and creative talent whom we now so eagerly join.” (Biz Yahoo)
And I’ll be on top of this, keeping a close look at everything Disney and POW will bring us. (And share it here in the hopefully near, future)
June 12th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I don’t think I’m excited about this as everyone else seems to be. He really hasn’t come up with any new character of merit recently. Who Wants To be A Superhero was fun for the train wreck that it was, but do we really want to see that type of thing associated with Disney? Stripperella?
It will be interested to see if anything comes of this, but Stan’s most popular characters are still living in the Marvel Universe.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
It is an interesting development, but without all the well-known characters and Marvel creations, it is hard to see anything coming from this theme-park wise for many years. I’m not well up on what Stan Lee has done in the last 10 years or so, so perhaps you can tell us more Andy, but is there anything that would already be the stuff of theme park rides? If not, you’d have to think it would need a major new film character/creation to set anything up for the theme parks, so that would obviously be some time away.
There would obviously be good synergy with Disney-MGM Studios, but it is hard to see a tie-up in any other Disney park, though. Perhaps it is just a good move for Disney films?
June 13th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Above two points are very good! What did we see except the Who Wants to Be A Superhero. Although I thought it was entertaining, it wasn’t the highest standard show - even I, a comic geek, has to admit that. Still, I loved it when the villain appeared, but then he wasn’t used as they could have to give the series a real twist… Still, with Stan Lee’s background I have high hopes like many others seem to have…. Or are we wrong? Could be. Only time will tell. Until then I want to believe that this deal will benefit and will bring something new and innovating to the world of imagination
August 6th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
[...] has well been over a year ago when I told everybody here how excited I was that Stan Lee would be working together with Disney. [...]