In a recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, The Walt Disney Company unveiled the staggering earnings it’s reaped from its acquisitions of Marvel and Star Wars.
Since purchasing Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012 and Marvel for the same amount in 2009, Disney has hauled in approximately $12 billion and $13.2 billion, respectively.
This transparent disclosure comes amidst a corporate tussle with Nelson Peltz, where Disney is striving to showcase its success under the current leadership, led by CEO Bob Iger. Marvel and Star Wars have been integral to Disney’s triumphs, with their omnipresence in cinemas, streaming platforms, and theme parks worldwide.
Disney’s windfall from these acquisitions stems from a myriad of revenue streams, including box office hits, streaming projects, merchandise sales, and theme park attractions. Notably, the $12 billion attributed to Lucasfilm encompasses the profits from blockbusters like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which grossed over $2 billion globally.
However, Disney clarifies that these profits exclude derivative revenue, such as earnings from theme park attractions like Galaxy’s Edge and Avengers Campus. Despite the immense success, Disney is recalibrating its strategies, evident in the scaling back of Marvel Cinematic Universe offerings and the imminent return of Star Wars to theaters with The Mandalorian & Grogu.
Amidst these triumphs, Disney faced setbacks in 2023 with commercial failures like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and The Marvels. These flops, alongside the disappointment of Wish, have prompted introspection within Disney, emphasizing the need for innovation to sustain the profitability of these iconic franchises.
As the company navigates through these challenges, upcoming projects like Disney+‘s The Acolyte and Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four offer glimpses of a future brimming with excitement and engagement for fans of these beloved franchises.
