Walt Disney CEO Robert A. Iger held a recent conference call on the company’s Q4 earnings. Among what was said was mention of Spider-Man.
Sony Pictures has the rights to make and distribute Spider-Man movies, as next year the Amazing Spider-Man starring Andrew Garfield will be released.
In 2009, Disney purchased Marvel and acquired the rights to Spider-Man; however, all previous movie related deals remained intact.
With the latest conference call, Iger reveals that Disney has aquired the rights to Spider-Man merchandise in exchange for Sony keep the filming rights.
Check it out:
Then in July, Sony Pictures will release The Amazing Spiderman. We’re excited about the film and expect it will drive significant benefits for Spiderman consumer products.
To that end, we recently completed a transaction with Sony Pictures to simplify our relationship. And then in the deal, we purchased Sony Pictures’ participation in Spiderman merchandising, while at the same time, Sony Pictures purchased from us our participation in Spiderman films. This transaction will allow us to control and fully benefit from all Spiderman merchandising activity, while Sony will continue to produce and distribute Spiderman films. We won’t be specific about the economics of this 2-way transaction, but we expect it will drive attractive returns for Disney.
Source: SeekingAlpha.com
“The Amazing Spider-Man” swings into theaters July 3rd, in 3-D and is directed by Marc Webb starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard, Irrfan Khan as Nels Van Adder, Martin Sheen as Ben Parker, Denis Leary as Captain George Stacy, Sally Field as May Parker and C. Thomas Howell as Ray Cooper.
