Disney buying Hasbro? (No.)

[Tallestblue]

But this would mean all the awesome collector type Transformers ould be Disney store exclusives...much like what was done with Power Rangers when Disney owned the brand. Remember Disney Power Rangers? the majority of us PR fans are trying to forget....

[Kazza]

I wonder if this will effect Takara Tomy as well, and if there will be revisions in later masterpieces. Disney is most definately an empire if they do aquire hasbro... and they will have such a monopoly in the kids/toys market.

[Robzy]

Yeah, I'm curious too how this will affect the toys we get. Also wondering if it will have any impact on what Takara/TOMY release

And finally, what about the movies? Will Disney be making their own TF films in the future (like they will with Star Wars) instead of Paramount? Let's not forget that Disney has to pay Paramount at least $115 million (from The Avengers and Iron Man 3) as apart of the deal for getting the rights and setting up Marvel Studios.

[Tober]

Hasbro has the license for a lot of Lucasarts product. Maybe that's what the talks are mostly about...

Paramount should have a contract for the next 3 TF Movies, which would make things 'interesting'.

Oh, and Lucasarts/ILM did a lot of the work on the Transformers movies, so there's that too.

[griffin]

I think the parties probably just touched on future merger options, while trying to sort out the current impact of the Lucasarts buyout. If it does go ahead, I think we could see major changes, as Disney would need to prioritise the greatest return to their core brand, over a subsidiary brand.
Even if this went ahead, it wouldn't occur too soon.

Future Movies - quality shouldn't be worse. Probably be better, as we saw how well Avengers turned out, under the ownership of Disney. Imagine that sort of action and plot-integrity with a TFs movie.

Toys - some elements will be better if they dictate the assortments, but ultimately the toys would be scaled back as Disney would be more invested in the multimedia elements, with toys being mere merchandise on the side. The toylines would be less extensive, as would the engineering, to match the younger Disney demographic. TakaraTomy would be an unknown element, as the Japanese like cutesy stuff, but also has a more dedicated collector demographic... so TT could obtain some independence to continue producing their own products, like they do at the moment.
Exclusives would also be less frequent under the "mere merchandise" model, and we'd probably see a lot more Disney-store exclusives (and crossover toys with their characters - which could see the JP ones being immediately re-released in American Disney stores).
And remember what happened when Hasbro bought out Kenner. Just like most take-overs, cost-cutting comes from consolidating or absorbing resources. If Disney ever did buy out Hasbro, there would be major consolidation with where-ever Disney creates their toys, possibly seeing the eventual closing of the Hasbro offices in Rhode Island (which is on the other side of the country to Disney offices in California).

Cartoons - Disney is more likely to absorb the HUB channel, using any shows that fit in its brand demographic. That would mean an end to TFPrime, like it did with Animated (which was axed to make way for a brand new show for the brand new HUB channel).

Comics - Consolidation (cost cutting) would naturally see all Hasbro IPs going to Disney's Marvel, prompting resets/relaunches, like IDW did when they got the TFs license.

Other Merchandising - We'd finally get a proper range of licensed merchandising, as Hasbro's prohibitive licensing structure (that prevents companies from taking the expensive risk) would be handled directly by Disney... and we see from their stores (and in regular department stores) that you can get just about anything with a Disney character plastered over it. Just not sure how much Adult merchandise Disney does though.

Collector Club - hehehe.... dare I give my thoughts/hopes on what happens there.


So many elements that would go in our favour, and against... if it were to ever happen, we're just going to have to adapt as a fandom. And worse case scenario, we have 28 years of Transformers toys, story and history to fall back on.

[Robzy]

Paramount should have a contract for the next 3 TF Movies, which would make things 'interesting'.

It would be very interesting, because Paramount are getting a huge amount of money from Disney/Marvel studios for doing nothing (no marketing, no upfront funding for the movies) because of the Marvel deal. They must be loving the fact The Avengers was so successful! It could possibly be the same sort of deal with things like TFs and GI Joe... Disney produces the films, and Paramount make money off the top!

Future Movies - quality shouldn't be worse. Probably be better, as we saw how well Avengers turned out, under the ownership of Disney. Imagine that sort of action and plot-integrity with a TFs movie.

Yes, but that's partly because Disney stepped back and showed faith in the Producer/Director team. Imagine if Disney gave Michael Bay (if he's still attached) that amount of freedom...

we're just going to have to adapt as a fandom.

Ahem... transform even?

I agree though. I think it will sort itself out. I just hope the MP line continues to grow... that's my new MOTU Classics

[Shirokaze]

My brain tells me it would result in an overall positive outcome, but I still can't help but be worried.

[gantz]

I remember freaking the hell out when Disney bought out Marvel.

And things have been better since

[Tober]

There might be a sudden decrease in 3rd party product too...

[Trent]

There might be a sudden decrease in 3rd party product too...

I hope not. 3rd party and MP are pretty much all I'm interested in anymore.