Disney Buys Distribution Rights for THE AVENGERS and IRON MAN 3 from Paramount Pictures

In August of last year, Walt Disney Studios bought Marvel for $4 billion.  That deal did not include character and properties that were already being produced under other studios.  Today, Disney, Marvel Studios, and Paramount Pictures have reached a deal for Disney to handle the worldwide marketing and distribution for The Avengers and Iron Man 3.  Paramount will remain the worldwide distributor of the upcoming Thor and Captain America: The First Avengers.  Disney reportedly paid $115 million for the transfer of the rights to Iron Man 3 and The Avengers.

So what does this mean for you?  It means that The Avengers and Iron Man 3 open with a Disney logo in front instead of a Paramount one.  That’s it.  The Comic-Con presentation will still be under Marvel Studios and nothing really changes except Disney is trying to keep the marketing and distribution of these major films in house.  Hit the jump for the full press release.

Here’s the press release:

BURBANK, Calif. – October 18, 2010 – The Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios announced they have reached an agreement under which Paramount will transfer its worldwide marketing and distribution rights to Disney for Marvel Studios’ The Avengers and Iron Man 3. Paramount will remain the worldwide distributor of the upcoming films, Thor and Captain America, as well as the previously released Iron Man and Iron Man 2.

Under terms of the new deal, Disney will pay Paramount $115 million for the transfer of the distribution rights to Iron Man 3 and The Avengers to be paid on the theatrical release dates. These monies will serve as a minimum guarantee against the distribution fees.

“In completing this agreement, Disney will now assume worldwide marketing and distribution of The Avengers and Iron Man 3 and leverage these two highly-anticipated films across the multiple global platforms of The Walt Disney Company,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “We appreciate the tremendous momentum that Paramount established with these iconic Marvel characters and look forward to propelling the brand even further in the coming years.”

“Five years ago, when Paramount and Marvel made our initial deal, both our businesses were in very different places,” said Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures. “We are grateful for the partnership we have had with the terrific Marvel team over these years and proud of the work we have done together. Today, this new agreement is the right deal for Paramount, for Marvel and for Disney. We look forward to working together on Thor and Captain America, and we wish Disney and Marvel the utmost success, in what we know will be a very productive and wide-ranging partnership.”

“Paramount has been a wonderful partner in helping Marvel Studios bring our characters to the big screen,” said Alan Fine, Office of the President, Marvel Worldwide, Inc. “This agreement makes sense now that Marvel is part of The Walt Disney Company.”

Paramount will release Marvel Entertainment’s Thor and Captain America worldwide beginning on May 6 and July 22 of 2011, respectively. The Avengers will be licensed to Epix under Paramount’s existing pay television arrangement.

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