Disney has one of the most beloved franchises in the world coming to the MCU very soon. Already, however, they are going in a familiar, controversial direction.
Developing the merchandise around movies and shows is a massive group of industries. It involves games, toys, clothing and more. As a company prepares to release a multi-million dollar entry in a franchise, years of work has already happened behind the scenes. Focus groups are assembled, researchers pour over analytics… design docs and NDAs are passed around with executives of partner companies as they prepare the twelve-month job of secondary and tertiary markets surrounding and entertainment release. Most of the time the non-disclosure agreements work. But we have been blessed at That Park Place to make connections with toy industry insiders at major partner companies of The Walt Disney Company. Today, we’re finding out an unsurprising path forward for X-Men, the property we’re told is the “next big thing” for Marvel!
According to an insider and his connections with international market contacts, Disney’s Marvel Entertainment is hard at work with their partners developing the future of X-Men. Action figures, assorted toys, t-shirts, coffee mugs, you name it. It’s time for a new X-Men brand under the MCU umbrella — even though, for now, the X-Men name remains (sorry, Victoria Alonso). While we’ve already heard that Marvel is testing the vices that some of the characters will retain (smoking, womanizing, etc), we’re now getting this latest rumor/leak that Disney wants to “race swap” various X-Men. In effect, they want to reduce the number of Caucasian characters.
Here’s verbatim the message sent to us from our toy expert, whose identity we have confirmed and corroborated, but who will remain anonymous on this site to protect their career:
- Right now a big question is how much race swapping to include. The thinking is apparently that race swaps will be more accepted if the incoming « swapped-in » actor is a bigger name, with the thinking that the more marquis the name, the harder it is for fans to object or criticize it.
- Quick note on higher priced talent and budgets: Disney are looking at reigning in budgets somewhat, at minimum setting caps. The problem is that as projected actor salaries are planned to increase, there would be less left in total budget for production. Remember that part of the « winning formula », per Disney going forward is « cameos ». Those add salary pressure, even if included in an actors’ contract (included means the pay is already built in). Also, actor salaries are not subject to the various production subsidies that various states offer as well as financing plays for different accounting posts. Also special effects need dollar boosts, so that’s also a pressure on total budgets. Still, Disney know that they have to get a handle on budgets in order to help facilitate « non-event » movies hitting their theatrical profit lines.
- I need to talk to another guy to get more, but select Fox-Avengers will be included as « bait » and as « jobbers » for new « Disney » X-Men. You know how many fans are continually calling out Disney for pulling « bait & switches » all over the place ? Something I agree with by the way, and focus groups say it’s wearing very thin with even die-hards (who wanted to see a Dr. Strange movie be about Dr. Strange ..) … ok back to the « bait ». Well, that’s apparently set to continue, with a strong faction at Marvel calling for « better bait ». Apparently that is part of their oh so genius solution. The Fox actors are considered « top notch bait ». At first glance, this « better bait », when it rolls out will likely be FALSELY interpreted by some fans as Disney « listening to the fans ». It’s not. It’s a cynical money play, which also has a component to shut up those manufacturing licensed products (« see, see, we gave you a white male hero for a few minutes, so what are you complaining about? »).
- Continuing with the cynicism: the baiting with character/actor stunts aims to also sell the characters which are Disney’s real interest. In pro wrestling it’s called « jobbing », where an established big name who pops with fans is used to put over, sell, or at least make more palatable a new character the wrestling promotion wants to push. Watch for this to get even more glaring going forward
- How to play alphabet is also being mapped out for X-Men (which is at least as of two weeks ago still being referred too as « X-Men »).
- They are working hard at trying to find a palatable-to-them balance between the minimum property authenticity to ensure commercial success and their main focus of « being reflective of not only today’s society but also of the society of tomorrow ». One Marvel mid-line creative referred to this as « unfortunate » because that « means having white men be more present than we want to ».
- I have not heard about any gender swaps, though that doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking of it! The unfortunate thing is the property doesn’t need any race or gender swaps, it’s all already there. Alphabet? Focus groups, and we’ve dug, indicate that the large majority don’t want any of this in their superhero entertainment. Facts, sorry.
- Yes, the above is from 2nd and 3rd removed sources at Disney, but 3 of them have said that one of the main objectives is to « continue to move on, to transit from white men », even if this means leaving money on the table. I thought you would want to hear it. They know that « unfortunately white men are the money in the whole revenue stream chain, which includes multiple viewings, more merch at higher price points, secondary media spends, etc. We want to give the minimum possible needed to get the most that we can out of them. We’ll have to throw them a couple of bones.»
- « The parks, the boats and football pay the bills »
Stay tuned. There is more to this message that we will be sharing tomorrow. In addition to the X-Men news, our insider is also sharing with us information that is extremely spicy about Star Wars and Lucasfilm. You do not want to miss it.
For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts!
