If you’re wondering “Just how involved was Marvel with the firing of Disney Studios chairmen Rick Ross last week,” you might be surprised to find that the answer is “Surprisingly, partially.” Deadline’s Nikki Finke explains:
Ross arrived at a watershed time for the studio: shortly after Iger entered into the 2009 deal with Marvel. The comic book, TV, and film entertainment company’s Israeli owner Ike Perlmutter is not just a notoriously tough custumer but a budget-obsessed megalomaniac besides a recluse. He has taken control of Disney’s consumer products division already (firing here, fixing there), and my sources tell me he is making Iger’s life miserable with back-seat managing of everything, especially Walt Disney Studios.
But there’s more; Finke reports that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige may end up being a replacement for Ross, while Heidi Macdonald reports that Perlumtter has offered Disney Publishing space in Marvel’s already-legendarily cramped NY offices now that the Mouse has given up its current lease for that part of the business. Interesting times…
April 24th, 2012 at 6:28 am
I find it difficult to believe that bob iger and disney don’t have the upper hand in this situation and that iger’s life is being made miserable.
April 24th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I find it hard to believe as well.
Disney bought Marvel, not the other way around. I can’t see Disney bending over for Perlmutter on anything.