First:

I’d like to see them acquire some quality IP and filter it through the MS machine, though ideally in a way that plays to the MS ethos while retaining the freedom to deviate from the cookie-cutter formula enough to have an identity of its own.

Obviously you want the Marvel Studios magic, but I’d like to see them adapt a non-Marvel property without, well, “Marvelizing” it. I think if they applied the approach taken with Marvel properties to other properties, similar results could be achieved while remaining true to whatever that property might be.

So, good idea? Bad idea?

What properties would be good candidates?

Personally I think it’s a good idea and I’d like to see them tackle DBZ with my first pick.

Similar to how in the comic world the big Two (marvel/dc) would dabble and periodically release very indie-esque comics.

Obviously them niggas is now in the business of making billion-makers, but it would be nice if they could have an indie wing working in a producer type roll; if anything Marvel seems to do well is working with young talent and getting shit organized which would do well in an indie movie space.

and they've kinda done it already with MARV productions and all the stuff that Matthew Vaughn put out (Kick Ass, Kingsman), I'd like to see them adapt some of Ed Brubakers work on the ICON label.

They don't need an indie label if Netflix will foot the bill for more cheaper content.

There are three brand names that matter in film right now: Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. Disney has seen Pixar's quality start to decline a bit and I think they should be wary of the same thing happening to their other asset, Marvel. (Although Marvel was already more in tune with Disney's approach; far more than Pixar was.) Marvel's expanding to three movies a year and I could see adding more than that stretching the people in charge a bit thin.

That being said, if Feige and Co. think they can handle it, Disney should give them an offshoot brand for a movie or two a year (for starters.) Don't mess with the Marvel brand name but give the people in charge a chance to expand their scope outside of Marvel characters. If it works, you could establish another trusted brand name. If it doesn't, you don't hurt the Marvel brand.

One, two a year at most should be the goal.

Any ideas on properties?

Young Adult novels so it fits Disney. They're old enough so while some people still know them, you don't have the pressure of being a straight adaptation or needing to meet high expectations from avid fans.

Start with the Lewis Barnavelt stories: The House with a Clock in its Walls, The Figure in the Shadows, and The Letter, The Witch, and The Ring.

do you really think Disney is concerned about the decline in Pixar product when they are still making shit loads of money?

Pixar and Disney are an odd fit because Disney wants franchises and Pixar prefers original content.

If you look at Pixar's 17 films' box office adjusted by inflation, the Disney Era Pixar films rank : #2, #7, #12, #15, #16, #17. And #2 was Finding Dory, building off of Nemo's success. Also, the competition is catching up. Hell, even the internal competition is heating up with Disney recently launching Moana, Zootopia, Big Hero 6, and Frozen while none of Pixar's films in the last decade seem like they'll spawn a franchise. And three of the next four films are sequels, with Coco being the lone original.

Inside Out helped stem the tide and nobody's losing sleep when the movies are still routinely near the top of the box office but I think it's something to keep an eye on.

Cause basically thats what this is about

there are a ton of Marvel stories to tell...might as well keep it in house.

Like one of my favorite marvel comic runs in recent memory was Matt Faction did Hawkeye indie comic style where he was just a dude owning a brownstone in bedstuy dealing with neighbors. etc...with the big plot being him balancing out a fuck buddy type relationship that leads to a breakup (for the big breakup the issue took place from the dog's perspective).

http://comicsalliance.com/files/2013/07/Hawkeye-011-002-e1372785944677.jpg

While you can play with different action/suspence genres types (Borne identify spy thriller in Winter Soldier, broad comedy in Ant-Man, I expect a marvel horror film eventually) the fact you've gotta have big action set pieces is kinda of a detriment to those kind of simpler stories.

they could do a one-off season of Jeremy Renner doing this (if it fit the continuity) and people would watch it.

I'm talking about creating a smaller, secondary machine to do something different. I think they've proven to be exceptionally consistent in terms of the quality of these films. I'd just like to see some of that magic rub off on something that can use it.

Even within the realm of Marvel, they can create different movies with those characters.

I mean.... if they did a buddy road trip misadventure comedy with Cap, Bucky & Sam in that VW Bug and using their superhero status mostly to awkward comic affect?

If they took Without A Paddle and remade it with those three? Hell they can add Black Widow to the mix.

Take my money NOW.

Sign me up for something like that.

but I don't know if I want Marvel touching it.

considering it was on Malibu which Marvel bought