Understanding Disney's Acquisition of 20th Century Fox

Disney's recent acquisition of 20th Century Fox is a significant development in the film and entertainment industry. In 2019, Disney completed the purchase of the 20th Century Studios, making them the owners of the studio's assets. It is crucial to note that Disney does not own Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox TV network. These assets remain under the control of Rupert Murdoch's New Fox Corporation.

With the acquisition, the film rights associated with the 20th Century Studios now belong to Disney. Unlike a temporary license contract, these rights are expected to be permanent and will continue to be owned by Disney unless they decide to sell them to another entity, which is not anticipated.

The Merger Process and Antitrust Concerns

The deal between Disney and 20th Century Fox is currently under government evaluation. This evaluation is part of the broader antitrust scrutiny, wherein the government assesses the potential impact of large corporate mergers on competition in various markets.

It is widely believed among experts that the decision regarding Disney's acquisition will be made this year. However, the process is not straightforward due to the involvement of another party, Comcast. Comcast has also expressed interest in acquiring elements of Fox, but their offer is contingent on the outcome of the ATT/Warner acquisition. This complex situation indicates that the future of Fox's assets may depend on how the ATT/Warner deal is resolved.

Legal Implications and the Future of X-Men and Fantastic Four

The ultimate fate of the X-Men and Fantastic Four film rights lies in the hands of Fox. As long as these characters continue to be featured in Fox movies, the rights will remain with Fox. However, if Fox ceases to produce movies featuring these characters, the rights will revert to Marvel Entertainment. It is important to note that Fox does not own the rights; they are simply under a contract with Marvel Entertainment.

The ongoing merger between ATT and Time Warner is another factor to consider. This case is expected to determine the precedent for cable companies owning content producers. Since Disney and Fox would be engaging in content production, the ATT/Warner case will have a significant impact. However, at the time of writing, it appears this case is winding down towards a conclusion.

Evaluating the potential timeline, it is likely that we will have a clearer understanding of whether either Comcast or Disney will be permitted to merge with Fox by early to mid-2019. This is a critical period as it will significantly influence the future of these valuable film properties.

In summary, while the immediate future remains uncertain, the key factors to watch include the government's decision on the Disney/Fox merger, the outcome of the ATT/Warner acquisition, and Fox's continued production of movies featuring X-Men and Fantastic Four. These developments will ultimately shape the ownership and future of these iconic characters and franchises.