Disney to Distribute Iron Man 3, The Avengers

Paramount Will Still Distribute Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger

The Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures announced a deal that under which Paramount will transfer the worldwide distribution rights to the upcoming Marvel films Iron Man 3 and The Avengers to Disney. Disney will pay Paramount $115 for the transfer of rights of Iron Man 3 and The Avengers in two installments, paid on each of the films' theatrical release dates.

Under the new deal, Paramount will keep the worldwide distribution rights to Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, both to be released next year.

Comments from all sides:

“In completing this agreement, Disney will now assume worldwide marketing and distribution of The Avengers and Iron Man 3 and leverage these two highly-anticipated films across the multiple global platforms of The Walt Disney Company,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “We appreciate the tremendous momentum that Paramount established with these iconic Marvel characters and look forward to propelling the brand even further in the coming years.”

“Five years ago, when Paramount and Marvel made our initial deal, both our businesses were in very different places,” said Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures. “We are grateful for the partnership we have had with the terrific Marvel team over these years and proud of the work we have done together. Today, this new agreement is the right deal for Paramount, for Marvel and for Disney. We look forward to working together on Thor and Captain America, and we wish Disney and Marvel the utmost success, in what we know will be a very productive and wide-ranging partnership.”

"Paramount has been a wonderful partner in helping Marvel Studios bring our characters to the big screen," said Alan Fine, Office of the President, Marvel Worldwide, Inc. "This agreement makes sense now that Marvel is part of The Walt Disney Company."

This deal cuts two Marvel films from the original deal with Paramount, which may not have continued past the original agreement anyway due to Disney's acquisition of Marvel. Based on Disney's relationship with Pixar and Marvel Entertainment so far, It doesn't seem like this will affect Iron Man 3 or The Avengers films in any way other than where the money goes.