When Fox announced that they were spinning off and selling their entertainment arm, 21st Century Fox, Disney was quite keen in acquiring the studio. The move would give Disney a 40 percent ownership of the entire American film industry and a host of IPs to bolster their already prolific portfolio. Comcast eventually stepped in to make their own bid for Fox’s assets, leading to a bidding war between the two gigantic media conglomerates.
Today, Comcast withdrew their bid, leaving Disney the only game in town for Fox to call home.
Disney has overcome anti-trust regulatory questions concerning the buyout, so nothing is really standing in their way beyond a vote at Fox to let it go through. The move would make Disney unquestionably the largest entertainment company in the world, but would also likely incorporate Fox’s long-held Marvel licenses like X-Men and Deadpool into the Marvel fold at Disney.
It would also likely have an effect on Fox’s gaming divisions, like the newly-formed Foxnext, which would eventually come under Disney’s umbrella.
[Source: The Washington Post]
Source: Game Informer Comcast Withdraws Bid For Fox, Disney Is Unimpeded For Acquisition