In mid-December, The Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox announced they had “entered into a definitive agreement” in which Disney would acquire 21st Century Fox. Since that announcement, some 21st Century Fox producers, screenwriters, and executives have become concerned on what the future will hold. Would their edgier properties become “Disney-fied”?
Screenwriter for shows like American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy addressed his concerns directly to Disney CEO Bob Iger telling him, “The stuff that I do is not specifically Disney and I’m concerned about that.” During their conversation, Iger reportedly attempted to calm Murphy’s worries that Disney was going to be pushing Mickey Mouse onto his horror-themed show.
Fox Television Group co-chairs Dana Walden and Gary Newman think that while they will try and keep a “business as usual” atmosphere, these concerns that Murphy and others have could still potential push some talent away from the company, so that they don’t have to work directly for Disney. Newman said, “My guess is many people will continue with the company once it moves to Disney. But, in fairness, we can’t guarantee to people who is going to be there and who is not going to be there.” In Iger’s talk with Newman he reportedly stated that he loves their brand, and that the range of content would fit in perfectly moving to Disney.
Creator of the crude animated series Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane doesn’t seem very concerned about the merger at all. In fact, he stated after his call with Iger that he would be “shocked if Family Guy went away because it doesn’t fit with the Disney brand. I don’t think that’s going to happen.” He makes the point that Disney bought 21st Century Fox for a reason, and that the value is in the existing franchises.
Credit: Los Angeles Times
Image: Disney
