Disney CEO: Marvel characters have a future in Disney parks

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

How long before we see a ‘Spider-Man’s Friendly Neighborhood’ or ‘Asgard’s Hall of Heroes’ at a Disney theme park?

I put that question to Bob Iger, president and CEO of Walt Disney Co., on Thursday at the blue-carpet event at the premiere of ‘Disney’s World of Color’ at Disney’s California Adventure, the Anaheim theme park that has struggled to find a strong identity since opening in 2001. Iger, whose company took over Marvel in a $4 billion deal January, seemed to chew on the question a bit, but in the end, he stayed safely vague in his response.

‘We’re just now considering all of our different options, so it would be premature to say when or where in the parks you would see Marvel characters -- but I think it’s safe to say that you’re going to see some of those great Marvel characters walking around in the future.’

Let’s give Disney some guidance -- what sort of Marvel-based rides would help with the overhaul of California Adventure?

-- Geoff Boucher

RECENT AND RELATED

John Lasseter talks about the back story of ‘Toy Story 3’

Never-seen-before art from 1954’s ‘20,000 Leagues’

Disney celebrates D23 anniversary -- but no expo this year

Michael Keaton will be boy-toy Ken in ‘Toy Story 3’

‘Alice in Wonderland’ fan event on Feb. 19 in Hollywood

50 years later: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ star dazzles D23 audience

VIDEO: Dick Jones, the voice of ‘Pinocchio,’ looks back

‘Lost’ Mickey Mouse cartoon unearthed

Disney officially owns Marvel universe now

Mickey Mouse mutants? Reaction to the Disney-Marvel deal

Johnny Depp ‘shocked and sad’ over Disney decision

Images: Top, the Marvel Universe. Credit: Marvel. Bottom, a poster for ‘Toy Story 3.’ Credit: Pixar/Disney