Nintendo, Disney rumored to be in media production deal

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So apparently this came out of nowhere. According to these rumors, Disney is in negotiations with Nintendo to strike a huge deal that will not only bring Nintendo movies, television shows and so on, but it would also mean a Mickey Mouse/Mario crossover game and a possible appearance by Mario in "Disney Infinity 3.0".

Here are several reasons why I honestly think these rumors aren't true:

1. Universal has already made a licensing deal to use Nintendo characters in their theme parks. I don't see why Disney would ever want to work with Nintendo again after that. If both Disney and Universal find out that they have to be cooperative with each other thanks to Nintendo, they're probably going to throw a fit, and Universal will likely feel those negotiations to get rid of Marvel theming at their parks would be for nothing.

2. I don't think the veteran Nintendo executives would be too happy to work with Disney again after what they did with the dreaded movie (that of course never happened). It's common sense really. Disney has tried to integrate Nintendo into their business before with that movie, and this is likely another attempt at that.

3. The leaked emails from Sony Pictures indicate that Nintendo's already been trying to make deals with Sony (ironically). Given the shakeup at Sony, though, I think that will change. But even then, I doubt they would want Disney to do the job.

So what are your thoughts? Do you think Nintendo and Disney should ever partner at all or not?

edited 24th Jun '15 6:05:24 PM by Mario1995

Well there is a precedent for it. That Bowser cameo in Wreck-It Ralph for starters. Sure it was small, but partnerships have blossomed over smaller things.

But for them to have two of those partners be rivals in a particular industry? That will mean major problems.

Just look at the spats between Fox and Disney over X-Men and Fantastic Four.

I'm not saying it's likely, just that if it does happen, it won't come from nowhere. It does seem pretty far-fetched.

You overestimate how much the theme park divisions and movie studios actually intersect. They have almost nothing to do with each other, and while it would be mildly cumbersome, Nintendo having theme park rights at Universal and media rights at Disney probably wouldn't be a huge issue.

The X-Men situation isn't a good comparison, either. The problem with the X-Men is that they are owned by Disney, but a rival studio has the film rights to them. Nintendo isn't owned by either Universal or Disney, so sharing the pie isn't as big a deal because it's not their pie to begin with.

That was decades ago. And it's not like Nintendo is known for holding grudges (see: Sega)

I don't see how a failed deal is relevant?

The point about Universal is fair, though

"I'm not saying it's likely, just that if it does happen, it won't come from nowhere. It does seem pretty far-fetched."

Maybe. Except this is Nintendo we are talking about. They didn't fall for Disney's tricks before, and I certainly doubt they will fall for it again.

Besides, Nintendo did have control over how Bowser was portrayed in Wreck It Ralph. I don't think Disney will be fond of having to do things Nintendo's way and not their own.

edited 24th Jun '15 5:38:57 PM by Mario1995

"Nintendo having theme park rights at Universal and media rights at Disney probably wouldn't be a huge issue."

Not unless Disney's greed inevitably kicks in.

I actually can see a Disney-Nintendo partnership. Why? Because both companies create very similar art. In fact, I recall reading that Miyamoto was inspired by Walt Disney's works (according to a book I own about Nintendo's history, Miyamoto grew up loving Disney works and wanted to be a Cartoonist before he joined Nintendo, and wanted to treat games more like works of animation).

Both companies also are a pain in the ass when it comes to protecting their property. Disney, though, is the worst offender. I don't see Nintendo lobbying Congress to indefinitely extend copyright.

The thing about Nintendo is that their I Ps aren't old enough to warrant such actions.

Contrast Disney, which has their most famous IP (Mickey Mouse) at almost a century old.

Definitely. Mickey should be public domain in the next decade or so, but as long as Disney is around that's not happening anytime soon.

I really wish this is true, but it probably isn't. Still, I've been hankering for a Real Mario Movie for ever. Plus, a Mario/Mickey Mouse Crossover would be really neat, though I don't know how that'd work.

Nintendo worlds in the next Kingdom Hearts, please and thank you.

Square is never gonna gonna do that.

I mean, we have Bravely Default, but I doubt they'll commit to Nintendo outside of the occasional Spin-Off or handheld game.

Or maybe I should be saying Nintendo will never do a small cameo like that. I don't know.

Nintendo is making mobile games. Anything is possible.

Certainly, I think would be a good choice for Nintendo. Disney has a record of quality movies, and the increased visibility for Nintendo properties could only be a boon for them.

Better get cracking on that Mario pilot, then...

Except they have one thing that could block their way: Universal.

Disney's probably going to be bugging Nintendo for theme park attractions, inevitably. But since they won't be getting the theme park license any time soon, they're probably going to feel they're getting less from the deal.

Because, in Disney's world, there's no such thing as "too much."

edited 24th Jun '15 7:43:21 PM by Mario1995

The theme park thing isn't an issue. Marvel is at Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park.

Except Universal can't add anything new to the area aside from refurbishments. They can't, for instance, add a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction because of Disney.

And there's this. http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/04/rumor-is-disney-nearing-a-deal-with-universal-for-marvel-theme-park-rights/

edited 24th Jun '15 7:45:54 PM by Mario1995

If this can allow Mickey to be in SSB I'll be happy.

Whenever people say "Comes out of Nowhere", I immediately think of Lucas's Sm4sh reveal trailer.

Unless we get more info on this, I don't believe this will happen.

I'm kind of wondering if this is smaller scale than it first appears - what if it's solely to make it so that Amiibo work with Disney Infinity? Beyond the obvious fact that it'd make the WiiU the platform for the game (unless Amiibo worked in all version of the game... which would probably be the biggest gaming surprise in my life), it would require the least amount of work and investment on the part of all parties.

While I'm sure Disney and Nintendo would love the idea of a Mario show, Mario/Mickey team-ups, and all of that, each company's insistence on their share of the profits and creative control leads me to think that any partnership between the two would probably work best on a limited scale.

What dreaded Nintendo Disney movie? ._.

They're referring to the infamous film Super Mario Bros. It was released by Buena Vista Pictures, which is an imprint of Disney.

EDIT: Lest we forget, this is the film that inspired the following exchange, paraphrased from memory of an interview with Dennis Hopper.

Dennis Hopper's Son: Dad, why were you in that movie?

Dennis Hopper: Because, son, that's how Daddy gets the money to buy you shoes.

Dennis Hopper's Son: I don't need shoes that badly.

edited 25th Jun '15 6:28:57 AM by 32_Footsteps