Disney’s Marvel Acquisition Turned the MCU into a $30B Franchise But at a Heavy Price: The Best Marvel Animated Show Was Canceled

Disney's acquistion of Marvel in 2009 led to scrapping of the fan-favorite animated show that was airing at the time.

Disney’s Marvel Acquisition Turned the MCU into a $30B Franchise But at a Heavy Price: The Best Marvel Animated Show Was Canceled

SUMMARY

  • MCU is the biggest franchise in the movie industry in terms of box office, having minted about $30 Billion worldwide.
  • The Marvel Studios was acquired by Disney in 2009 and its growth trajectory has been unbelievable since then.
  • However, it all came at the cost of a fan-favorite animated show that was scrapped due to this acquisition.
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The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a cultural phenomenon. Spanning over two dozen interconnected films and numerous television shows, it’s a sprawling saga that has captivated audiences worldwide. From the iconic Iron Man suit-up to the emotional sacrifice of Black Widow, the MCU has delivered unforgettable moments and established itself as the highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

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Spider-Man in No Way Home
A still from Spider-Man: No Way Home

This monumental achievement can be traced back to 2009 when Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in a groundbreaking deal. This wasn’t just a financial move but also a fusion of creative powerhouses. However, this partnership did not come without its cost.

MCU Led to the Scrapping of The Spectacular Spider-Man

A still from Spectacular Spider-Man
A still from Spectacular Spider-Man

The partnership between Disney and Marvel was a dream come true for many. Disney, with its unparalleled animation expertise and theme park magic, provided the perfect platform for Marvel’s already rich universe of superheroes to truly explode. The result? A juggernaut. Box office records were shattered, merchandise flew off shelves, and superheroes became household names.

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But with such immense success often comes a bittersweet side. While the MCU thrived under Disney’s umbrella, another chapter in the Marvel multiverse came to a close. The Spectacular Spider-Man, a beloved animated series praised for its faithfulness to the source material and its engaging blend of action, humor, and character development, found itself canceled after just two seasons.

The Spectacular Spider-Man had two seasons released in 2008 and 2009 and featured Josh Keaton as the voice of our favorite web-slinger. The writer Greg Weisman was hoping for the series to reach at least 5 seasons and 65 episodes before Disney’s purchase of Marvel turned the tide altogether.

As per reports, the show’s third season was canceled because Sony lost the television rights to the character. This turn of events left many fans heartbroken, highlighting the potential cost of such a large-scale acquisition.

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MCU Will Bring A New Animated Show For Spider-Man

Marvel at the D21 Expo - Spider-Man Freshman Year
Marvel at the D21 Expo

Recognizing the enduring popularity of animation and the appeal of Spider-Man, Marvel Studios, now firmly under Disney’s wing, has announced its own foray into the realm of web-slinging cartoons.

Titled Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, this upcoming series promises to introduce a new animated take on Peter Parker’s adventures. While the cancellation of Spectacular Spider-Man still stings for many fans, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man presents renewed hope.

The story will take place during Peter Parker’s origin days and will be released on Disney+ as a part of the MCU. While it is not certain whether Tom Holland will voice the role in the Disney+ show, it is sure that fans have much to anticipate for the series.

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Written by Piyush Yadav

Articles Published: 158

Piyush Yadav is a young and cheerful writer from India. Wrestling, Movies, TV and Gaming - He loves all things entertainment. From WWE matchups to the Hollywood news, he has been exploring these worlds for more than two years to create informative and engaging content. Balancing his passion for writing with his pursuits of Chartered Accountancy, Yadav aims to provide a fun read to a wider audience.