Disney is Expected to Cancel Expensive Non-Family Friendly Movies After Fox Merger Clears
By Tess Farrand, Staff Writer
Big things are happening in Hollywood and the landscape will soon be changing. Disney is in the process to take over 20th Century Fox for upwards of $71 billion in the next couple of years. With the merger, Disney plans to implement some changes to make Fox fit within their standards.
According to a new report, any projects Fox completes before the merger is final will be picked up by Disney, but, projects in pre-production or production might suffer cancellation.
Ben Fritz of the Wall Street Journal states, “Disney will likely take over Fox’s two biggest film franchises, AVATAR and the X-MEN, and scale back production of costly movies that don’t fit its family-friendly, franchise-focused formula, people close to both companies have said.”
Fox is responsible for the R-rated DEADPOOL movies (read our reviews here and here). While not family friendly in the slightest, CEO of Disney, Bob Igor already publicly stated that the franchise could continue. “It [DEADPOOL] clearly has been and will be Marvel branded. But we think there might be an opportunity for a Marvel-R brand for something like DEADPOOL. As long as we let the audiences know what’s coming, we think we can manage that fine.”
Could all of this be a win for more uplifting content? It’s hard to say just yet, since a “Marvel-R” possibility definitely leaves room for skepticism. As Joey Paur of geektyrant.com notices, “it doesn’t say that they are canceling all movies that aren’t family-friendly, just the costly ones.”
We’ll have to see how the deal plays out before we make this call….
Because big studio mergers take oodles of paperwork and consideration, the deal has yet to close and probably won’t for some time. Disney is optimistic that 2019 will mark the close.
Right now, Disney is waiting on foreign regulatory approval for Fox’s parent company 21st Century Fox. According to Fritz, “Fox is obligated to keep acting as if it will survive, people who work at the studio say, which means making movies and developing new ideas with no certainty as to what Disney will end up doing with them.”
Even still, Fox is working on several projects, including a remake of 1985’s CLUE, based on the board game, starring Ryan Reynolds, and WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION from director/actor Ben Affleck and producer/actor Matt Damon. Fox 2000 will also release a faith-based movie from DeVon Franklin called BREAKTHTOUGH, starring Chrisy Metz, Topher Grace and Mike Colter.
Do you think Disney will be faithful in keeping their promise for more family-oriented content? Let us know in the comments and keep checking back for updates.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
