DreamWorks Animation buys Classic Media for $155 million

[grendeljd]

Let the speculation begin on how to get Magnus and crew back... Now!

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20 ... dia-studio" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hmmm... what if VEI brought Voltron into their universe?

Could be a key part of the RAI storyline, wherein King Zarkon starts sending giant Robeasts to invade earth and only RAI can stop them...

[BugsySig]

Let the speculation begin on how to get Magnus and crew back... Now!

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20 ... dia-studio" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hmmm... what if VEI brought Voltron into their universe?

Could be a key part of the RAI storyline, wherein King Zarkon starts sending giant Robeasts to invade earth and only RAI can stop them...

If there was a "glare" smiley I would be posting it right now. So instead I will say this:

[Byrneout]

I'd rather see Lotor vs. Rai, and Magnus against a RoBeast.

Now that I think about, the Voltron Force reboot included something called Volcomms, which produced energy weapons a la Rai... Hmm...

[grendeljd]

Let the speculation begin on how to get Magnus and crew back... Now!

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20 ... dia-studio" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hmmm... what if VEI brought Voltron into their universe?

Could be a key part of the RAI storyline, wherein King Zarkon starts sending giant Robeasts to invade earth and only RAI can stop them...

If there was a "glare" smiley I would be posting it right now. So instead I will say this:

[Aram]

This is bad news unless someone in the know is a valiant fan or Cunio knows someone at dreamworks board. They will almost certainly not sell the rights, unless Cunio has connections with them and/or could convince them to just sell VEI those 3 properties. The 3 properties would do them little good except to sell to Valiant, but it is unlikely they would see it that way unless convinced.

Didn't VEI just say they had no plans of pursuing the rights to them? Doesn't really matter who owns it if that's the case.

"no Plans" means just that. They weren't making plans to try to do it. Doesn't mean they wouldn't want to. With Dreamworks shelling out 155 million, their board might not mind getting a little of that back just to unload 3 minor characters out of probably over a thousand?

If I were VEI I would probably even risk investing a 100k to a quarter million easy to secure the rights. It would take a while to get that back short of a movie or tv deal, but only VEI could probably do those characters justice enough to recreate the franchise or expand on the old ones anyways. I'm pretty sure the only reason those characters ever got huge was because of preunity/unity. Take that away and you have recognized names, but no substance or recognition of character. IMHO... If Shooter could not make it successful again without the other Valiant Characters... no one can.

Dreamworks would be smart to sell and VEI would be smart to buy. Otherwise those characters will likely never again be more than zombies of their former glory.

[BugsySig]

This is bad news unless someone in the know is a valiant fan or Cunio knows someone at dreamworks board. They will almost certainly not sell the rights, unless Cunio has connections with them and/or could convince them to just sell VEI those 3 properties. The 3 properties would do them little good except to sell to Valiant, but it is unlikely they would see it that way unless convinced.

Didn't VEI just say they had no plans of pursuing the rights to them? Doesn't really matter who owns it if that's the case.

"no Plans" means just that. They weren't making plans to try to do it. Doesn't mean they wouldn't want to. With Dreamworks shelling out 155 million, their board might not mind getting a little of that back just to unload 3 minor characters out of probably over a thousand?

If I were VEI I would probably even risk investing a 100k to a quarter million easy to secure the rights. It would take a while to get that back short of a movie or tv deal, but only VEI could probably do those characters justice enough to recreate the franchise or expand on the old ones anyways. I'm pretty sure the only reason those characters ever got huge was because of preunity/unity. Take that away and you have recognized names, but no substance or recognition of character. IMHO... If Shooter could not make it successful again without the other Valiant Characters... no one can.

Dreamworks would be smart to sell and VEI would be smart to buy. Otherwise those characters will likely never again be more than zombies of their former glory.

I agree with everything you said (except DW looking to recoup some of the money...they make bank and anything they might sell the GK characters for would be small potatoes). Valiant does at least have to do their due diligence and inquire as to the availability. Who knows? DW could sell them on the cheap. I am sure they are far more interested in dozens of other viable film/animation franchises from Classic.

[dhudson1]

Getting the license would also depend on the existing contract with Dark Horse. Selling the properties does not mean they are up for grabs.

[etos45]

This is bad news unless someone in the know is a valiant fan or Cunio knows someone at dreamworks board. They will almost certainly not sell the rights, unless Cunio has connections with them and/or could convince them to just sell VEI those 3 properties. The 3 properties would do them little good except to sell to Valiant, but it is unlikely they would see it that way unless convinced.

After everything we've seen from Valiant so far, does anyone honestly believe this universe can't survive without the GK3 ?? I could care less about them at this point.

+1

[hulk181man]

This is bad news unless someone in the know is a valiant fan or Cunio knows someone at dreamworks board. They will almost certainly not sell the rights, unless Cunio has connections with them and/or could convince them to just sell VEI those 3 properties. The 3 properties would do them little good except to sell to Valiant, but it is unlikely they would see it that way unless convinced.

After everything we've seen from Valiant so far, does anyone honestly believe this universe can't survive without the GK3 ?? I could care less about them at this point.

+1

Good points the new Valiant universe is on fire now without them - then again, I wouldn't complain either.

[Aram]

Well I agree too they aren't needed... I just want new material in hardcover collections of the old.

[VEI Reborn]

This is bad news unless someone in the know is a valiant fan or Cunio knows someone at dreamworks board. They will almost certainly not sell the rights, unless Cunio has connections with them and/or could convince them to just sell VEI those 3 properties. The 3 properties would do them little good except to sell to Valiant, but it is unlikely they would see it that way unless convinced.

After everything we've seen from Valiant so far, does anyone honestly believe this universe can't survive without the GK3 ?? I could care less about them at this point.

+1

Good points the new Valiant universe is on fire now without them - then again, I wouldn't complain either.

I think thats exactly it. Certainly not needed at this point but every one of us would be happy as flies on poo if they came back.

[Heath]

Dreamworks does not own Magnus or Solar and can not sell them. Those properties are owned by Random House and have been licensed to Classics Media. Check out Classic Media's web site (http://www.classicmedia.tv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and look at the Magnus and Doctor Solar pages. There's a note in the bottom corner that says "TM & © Random House Inc. Used under license to Classic Media, Inc."

Turok, however, seems to be owned by Classic Media (so now Dreamworks). On the Turok page it simply says "TM & © Classic Media, Inc."

[BugsySig]

Dreamworks does not own Magnus or Solar and can not sell them. Those properties are owned by Random House and have been licensed to Classics Media. Check out Classic Media's web site (http://www.classicmedia.tv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and look at the Magnus and Doctor Solar pages. There's a note in the bottom corner that says "TM & © Random House Inc. Used under license to Classic Media, Inc."

Turok, however, seems to be owned by Classic Media (so now Dreamworks). On the Turok page it simply says "TM & © Classic Media, Inc."

Hmmm....interesting. I know Classic and Random House split at some point, right? Maybe that is why they are "licensed" to Classic? Because the Dark Key books were already in process, or something?

[xodacia81]

This is bad news unless someone in the know is a valiant fan or Cunio knows someone at dreamworks board. They will almost certainly not sell the rights, unless Cunio has connections with them and/or could convince them to just sell VEI those 3 properties. The 3 properties would do them little good except to sell to Valiant, but it is unlikely they would see it that way unless convinced.

Didn't VEI just say they had no plans of pursuing the rights to them? Doesn't really matter who owns it if that's the case.

I believe so. Right now, I don't see a need for VEI to go after them.

[magnusr]

Dreamworks does not own Magnus or Solar and can not sell them. Those properties are owned by Random House and have been licensed to Classics Media. Check out Classic Media's web site (http://www.classicmedia.tv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and look at the Magnus and Doctor Solar pages. There's a note in the bottom corner that says "TM & © Random House Inc. Used under license to Classic Media, Inc."

Turok, however, seems to be owned by Classic Media (so now Dreamworks). On the Turok page it simply says "TM & © Classic Media, Inc."

Seems like a mess. Thanks for the clarification.

/Magnus

[Daniel Jackson]

Dreamworks does not own Magnus or Solar and can not sell them. Those properties are owned by Random House and have been licensed to Classics Media. Check out Classic Media's web site (http://www.classicmedia.tv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and look at the Magnus and Doctor Solar pages. There's a note in the bottom corner that says "TM & © Random House Inc. Used under license to Classic Media, Inc."

Turok, however, seems to be owned by Classic Media (so now Dreamworks). On the Turok page it simply says "TM & © Classic Media, Inc."

Good catch, Heath.

[gynta]

There's a new article at Comic Book Resources that even mentions Valiant Comics. Only in one sentence, but still ...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/20 ... ably-wont/

[BugsySig]

There's a new article at Comic Book Resources that even mentions Valiant Comics. Only in one sentence, but still ...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/20 ... ably-wont/

Hmmm...based on their analysis, perhaps DW would at least listen to offers for the GK properties since i dont suspect they plan on using Solar or Magnus for any kid friendly entertainment, cartoons or all ages comics. Though it still seems unclear exactly who owns the rights to which characters or for what mediums.

[Heath]

Random House owns Magnus and Doctor Solar. Classic Media owned Turok and had the licensing rights to Magnus and Doctor Solar. Since Dreamworks bought Classic Media, they now own Turok and have the licensing rights to Magnus and Doctor Solar. Unless the contract between Random House and Classic Media specified the contract would be voided if Classic Media was acquired by another company. Which I doubt.

[xodacia81]

Random House owns Magnus and Doctor Solar. Classic Media owned Turok and had the licensing rights to Magnus and Doctor Solar. Since Dreamworks bought Classic Media, they now own Turok and have the licensing rights to Magnus and Doctor Solar. Unless the contract between Random House and Classic Media specified the contract would be voided if Classic Media was acquired by another company. Which I doubt.

I wonder if Shooter still has a services contract and if this means Dreamworks just bought Shooter.

[BugsySig]

Random House owns Magnus and Doctor Solar. Classic Media owned Turok and had the licensing rights to Magnus and Doctor Solar. Since Dreamworks bought Classic Media, they now own Turok and have the licensing rights to Magnus and Doctor Solar. Unless the contract between Random House and Classic Media specified the contract would be voided if Classic Media was acquired by another company. Which I doubt.

That seems clear at this point. My question is what specifically the license covers: print, tv, film, everything? If it is only for print, I doubt DW would even given them a look.

[Crow331]

Doesn't Classic Media also own Defiant? Or am I completely confusing everything?? I remember Shooter mentioned it one time, who exactly own Defiant, but I can't remember who he said.

I would love to see a Dark Dominion film!

[vikingspawn]

Doesn't Classic Media also own Defiant? Or am I completely confusing everything?? I remember Shooter mentioned it one time, who exactly own Defiant, but I can't remember who he said.

I would love to see a Dark Dominion film!

x2

And a Plasm film by James Cameron.

[UnknownTales]

This is getting worse!!!

Soon, Turok will be a separate univ erse than Solar and Magnus!!! Never to be together...

Dreamworks does not own Magnus or Solar and can not sell them. Those properties are owned by Random House and have been licensed to Classics Media. Check out Classic Media's web site (http://www.classicmedia.tv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and look at the Magnus and Doctor Solar pages. There's a note in the bottom corner that says "TM & © Random House Inc. Used under license to Classic Media, Inc."

Turok, however, seems to be owned by Classic Media (so now Dreamworks). On the Turok page it simply says "TM & © Classic Media, Inc."

[MoonChild]

This is getting worse!!!

Soon, Turok will be a separate univ erse than Solar and Magnus!!! Never to be together...

Dreamworks does not own Magnus or Solar and can not sell them. Those properties are owned by Random House and have been licensed to Classics Media. Check out Classic Media's web site (http://www.classicmedia.tv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and look at the Magnus and Doctor Solar pages. There's a note in the bottom corner that says "TM & © Random House Inc. Used under license to Classic Media, Inc."

Turok, however, seems to be owned by Classic Media (so now Dreamworks). On the Turok page it simply says "TM & © Classic Media, Inc."

Yea, I wonder if this is somehow a typo or if this really happened...