Cover image via 20th Century Fox
The Disney-Fox merger is officially complete.
As of Wednesday, 20 March, 20th Century Fox has been absorbed into the Walt Disney Company's expansive portfolio and will no longer operate as an independent movie studio.
In a deal that's been set in motion since the end of 2017, Disney acquired all of the Fox's entertainment assets, film and TV divisions, for a whopping USD71.3 million.
Considered the biggest media merger ever, Disney is now the most powerful movie studio of all time with an approximate 40% market share in the box office, overshadowing its remaining major rivals Universal, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros.
Image via Investment Guru
In light of the corporate marriage, a large number of Fox's film and TV titles will soon be making a new home at Disney. Some major ones include:
1. The X-Men film series, including the Wolverine and Deadpool movies
The X-Men and the "Merc with a Mouth" have returned home, as Disney also owns Marvel Studios a.k.a. the entity in charge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
While the series' future is still unclear, there are two more titles awaiting release this year – X-Men: Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants. Under the FX network, TV spin-offs The Gifted and Legion are also in the mix.
At least Deadpool a.k.a. Ryan Reynolds seems excited to begin his journey at Disney. :p
Image via Twitter @VancityReynolds
Image via 20th Century Fox
2. Fantastic Four
Image via 20th Century Fox
Another set of prodigal heroes are returning to the Marvel fold.
I will now be submitting a petition to have Chris Evans' Human Torch meet Chris Evans' Captain America!
3. The first six Star Wars films
Image via Collider
Despite acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012, 20th Century Fox retained distribution rights for the first six movies in the epic space opera.
Well, Disney now has the full set, and is due to release Episode IX this year.
4. The Simpsons
Image via FOX
5. The X-Files
Image via Variety
6. Anastasia
Image via Variety
Soooo… does this mean Anastasia is now a Disney princess? 😀
7. The Alien and/versus Predator franchise
Image via 20th Century Fox
Image via 20th Century Fox
9. The Shape of Water
Image via Pop Inquirer
10. The Greatest Showman
Image via 20th Century Fox
A sequel is reportedly in the works.
11. Alita: Battle Angel
Image via 20th Century Fox
Although producer James Cameron and director Robert Rodriguez have hinted that the film could lead to multiple sequels, its future is currently unclear as Cameron wants to focus on…
12. Avatar
There are four sequels planned for Avatar, due for release in 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025.
Image via 20th Century Fox
13. Titanic
Image via PopSugar
14. Kingsman film series
Following the commercial success of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle, three more films are currently in development for the series – a prequel called Kingsman: The Great Game, a third film for the original series, as well as a spin-off for American counterparts Statesman.
Image via 20th Century Fox
15. Night At the Museum trilogy
A television series based on the trilogy is currently in development, and is expected to appear on one of Disney's platforms.
Image via 20th Century Fox
16. Planet of the Apes franchise
Image via Heroic Hollywood
17. Borat
Image via 20th Century Fox
VERY NICE.
18. Die Hard series
Image via 20th Century Fox
19. Taken trilogy
Image via Express UK
20. Alvin and the Chipmunks film series
Image via The AV Club
21. Ice Age franchise
An animated series is currently being developed.
Image via 20th Century Fox
22. Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series
Image via Variety
23. Independence Day and its sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence
Image via ComingSoon.net
24. Home Alone film series
Image via Maxim
25. How I Met Your Mother
Image via CBS
Although the show was shown on CBS, it was produced by Bays & Thomas Productions in collaboration with 20th Century Fox Television.
26. Family Guy
Image via The Edge Susu
27. American Dad!
Image via Den of Geek
28. American Horror Story anthology series
Image via FX
AHS' ninth season, titled Apocalypse, is due to premiere this year.
29. American Crime Story anthology series
Édgar Ramírez and Penelope Cruz in 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace' (left); Cuba Gooding Jr. and Courtney B. Vance in 'The People v. O. J. Simpson' (right).
Image via FX
30. 73% stake in National Geographic Partners, LLC
Image via National Geographic
