To my knowledge they aren't that big of a deal, depends the kind of contract universal has and how many heroes they own. Like it would be fine to use Thor but it can't look like the new movies or have Chris as the voice actor. By those rules I think universal could get away with not paying gobs of cash to Disney for the rights, they might already own all the theme park rights if I'm not mistaken. Someone please correct me if I'm wrongI think that MSHI would be the last island to get an expansion these days. I know, things have gotten pitched, but thats not uncommon. Although its one of my favorite theme park lands anywhere, I think the fact that the general public have come to associate Marvel with the Cinematic Universe, which Universal cannot use, will hurt them. While they could definitely use the momentum from the Avengers movies to market any expansion, people will come to see Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans and will get the old school animations that most people dont know about anymore. Also, how big of a hurdle is Disney in all this?
If you haven't figured it out by now (with what the thread is about) then that's on you.It would've been nice to say what MSHI means at the first post of this thread.
Technically, Disney can build all the Marvel they want in WDW. It just can't have any characters in the Avengers, X-Men or Fantastic Four Families. Marvel's Phase 3 slate of films (which are all pulling from much lesser known content) and the Big Hero 6 animated movie is a perfect example of ways WDW can scoot around the contract.I wish Uni would add an Asgard experience where you are transported to the planet Asgard with some cheap disco lights effects and have a meet and great with the big cheese or an amazing experience where you could see all the suits from Iron man, that would be enough to do with this franchise I'm sure. To top it of a carousel with all characters on hands and knees where small kids and infants could sit on their backs to enjoy the ride of a lifetime.
But seriously I think Universal has a successful land that will stay unchanged until Disney will eventually dump some truckloads of $$ in Universal's lap and Universal will say yes if they are confident the franchise is milked enough by Disney and they have something better to replace it.
The details of the contract basically have MSHI frozen in its current state until 2050. Nothing can really be added or removed unless both parties (Uni and Marvel/Disney) agree to it separately.
It also looks like Disney can't use any Marvel characters at WDW, regardless if it's the cinematic universe interpretation of them.
Here's the original contract for reference. Keep in mind there could be additional addendums that we are not privy to.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/dex1057.htm
My guess is that MSHI stays frozen the way it is until Universal decides to close it (never) or Disney buys Uni out of the contract.
I don't think Disney is shaking in their boots since the comic book versions of the characters aren't the moneymakers anyway. The movie versions are.
If you were disney and you couldnt do anything with marvel in Orlando for 35 more years, you would want Universal to build something, which Uni would pay for obv., which can bring more people to MSHI and buy more merchandise. Like I said on the other thread, take those buying in potter and move that money over to MSHI, Disney would be happy about that.
Regardless.... this is post gate 3 talk. and if not def after Kong, JP, Suess and LC in IOA and MIB Mystery Plot, KZ, FFL, Disaster in USO
The details of the contract basically have MSHI frozen in its current state until 2050. Nothing can really be added or removed unless both parties (Uni and Marvel/Disney) agree to it separately.
It also looks like Disney can't use any Marvel characters at WDW, regardless if it's the cinematic universe interpretation of them.
Here's the original contract for reference. Keep in mind there could be additional addendums that we are not privy to.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/dex1057.htm
My guess is that MSHI stays frozen the way it is until Universal decides to close it (never) or Disney buys Uni out of the contract.
I don't think Disney is shaking in their boots since the comic book versions of the characters aren't the moneymakers anyway. The movie versions are.