The Walt Disney Co paid US$4.24 billion for Marvel Entertainment In 2009. How do these movies help Disney? They contribute to the studio entertainment segment of Disney’s operations, and globally, the Marvel characters and Star Wars sequels and spin-offs are the most visible part of that segment. To be sure, there is more to the segment than just the Marvel and Star Wars universes. (Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 and the rights to produce Star Wars movies and other spin-offs associated with the franchise.) In addition, there are cross-selling opportunities.
(June 3): Spoiler alert. Among the Marvel characters who survive Avengers: Endgame are Thor, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man, The Hulk, The Black Panther, Falcon, Bucky Barnes and, of course, Captain Marvel. These characters may or may not have spin-offs, keeping interest in the Marvel universe alive among fans. Spin-offs from the Avengers already include Ironman, Captain America, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
As at May 19, Avengers: Endgame had earned US$2.615 billion ($3.6 billion) worldwide — just US$173 million less than Avatar’s record. In its obituary of Stan Lee, the creator of the Marvel Comic Book Universe, the New York Times said Marvel movies had grossed US$24 billion as at April 2018.
