In a seismic shift for Hollywood, key members of the Avengers cast have reportedly turned their backs on Disney, signing lucrative new deals with Paramount Pictures. The provocative sentiment, “Disney Can Kiss Our Ass,” attributed to sources close to the actors, underscores the dramatic nature of this move. This development, reported across various online platforms, marks a significant power shift in the entertainment industry, as Paramount emerges as a formidable player in the superhero movie landscape. This article explores the context, implications, and potential fallout of this bold move, drawing on recent discussions and industry insights.

Background: The Disney-Marvel Dominance

Since acquiring Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, Disney has transformed the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) into a global juggernaut. Films like The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) have collectively grossed billions, making the MCU one of the most successful franchises in cinematic history. However, this success has not come without tension. Disney’s tight control over creative decisions, merchandising, and profit distribution has sparked friction with talent and other studios, as evidenced by past disputes with Sony over Spider-Man and Paramount over distribution rights.

Paramount’s history with Marvel dates back to 2005, when it signed a deal to distribute up to ten Marvel films, including Iron Man (2008), Thor (2011), and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). This partnership was lucrative, with Iron Man alone grossing $574 million worldwide. However, in 2010, Paramount sold the distribution rights for The Avengers and Iron Man 3 to Disney for $115 million, a decision later criticized as shortsighted given the massive profits those films generated. Paramount retained a modest 8-9% distribution fee but lost long-term control over the MCU’s sequels.

Recent reports suggest that Paramount is now capitalizing on its historical ties with Marvel’s talent to reclaim a stake in the superhero genre, with the Avengers cast at the center of this strategy.

The Catalyst: Salary Disputes and Creative Control

The phrase “Disney Can Kiss Our Ass” reportedly stems from dissatisfaction among key Avengers actors, fueled by Disney’s alleged salary cuts and restrictive creative policies. A June 2025 report claimed that Marvel stars were frustrated after Disney reduced their compensation, possibly to offset rising production costs or to prioritize newer talent. This move, combined with Disney’s reputation for micromanaging creative output, appears to have pushed actors like Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), and Chris Hemsworth (Thor) to seek better opportunities elsewhere.

Paramount, sensing an opportunity, has reportedly offered the actors substantial deals that include higher salaries, profit-sharing arrangements, and greater creative input. These contracts are said to cover new superhero projects, potentially reviving characters like Iron Man and Captain America in a separate cinematic universe under Paramount’s banner. While specific details remain scarce, sources indicate that the deals are “huge” in scope, with multi-film commitments and backend profits that could rival Disney’s lucrative MCU payouts.

The Paramount Strategy

Paramount’s move is a calculated bid to challenge Disney’s dominance. The studio has struggled in recent years, with financial difficulties exacerbated by the 2009-2010 recession, which forced it to sell off assets like the MCU distribution rights. However, Paramount’s leadership has since stabilized, and the studio is now leveraging its legacy of successful collaborations with Marvel talent to rebuild its portfolio. By signing high-profile Avengers stars, Paramount aims to create a competing superhero franchise that could disrupt the MCU’s monopoly.

This strategy aligns with broader industry trends. The success of non-MCU superhero films, such as Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Warner Bros.’ Joker, demonstrates that audiences are open to alternative takes on the genre. Paramount could be planning a grittier, more actor-driven universe, capitalizing on the star power of Downey, Evans, and Hemsworth to draw audiences. Additionally, Paramount’s existing pay-TV deal with Epix, which includes rights to The Avengers, provides a platform to reintroduce these characters to new and existing fans.

Implications for Disney and the MCU

The defection of key Avengers stars is a significant blow to Disney. The MCU’s success has relied heavily on the charisma and chemistry of its original cast, particularly Downey’s Iron Man, who anchored the franchise’s early phases. Losing these actors could weaken the MCU’s brand, especially as Disney navigates a transitional period with newer characters like the Eternals and Shang-Chi. Fan reactions on platforms like Reddit suggest mixed feelings, with some lamenting the potential fragmentation of the MCU, while others welcome the competition as a way to push Disney to innovate.

Disney’s response remains unclear. The company could counter by offering the actors better terms or accelerating plans for new Avengers projects. However, Disney’s history of prioritizing brand control over talent demands—evident in its negotiations with Sony over Spider-Man—suggests it may double down on its current strategy, focusing on younger stars and multiverse storylines to maintain relevance.

The Bigger Picture: Hollywood’s Power Shift

The Avengers’ move to Paramount reflects broader shifts in Hollywood. The 2009 recession and subsequent consolidation enabled Disney to acquire Marvel and Fox, centralizing control over major franchises. However, this consolidation has drawn criticism for limiting creative diversity and fostering monopolistic practices. Paramount’s bold play could signal a pushback against Disney’s dominance, encouraging other studios to invest in competing franchises.

Fans and industry observers are divided. Some see this as a chance for fresh storytelling, free from Disney’s family-friendly constraints. Others worry that a fragmented superhero landscape could dilute the genre’s appeal, as seen in mixed reactions to Thor: Love and Thunder. Regardless, the move underscores the growing leverage of A-list talent in negotiating better deals and creative control, a trend likely to shape Hollywood’s future.

What’s Next?

While details of Paramount’s plans remain speculative, the studio is reportedly developing a slate of films featuring the Avengers stars. These could include standalone projects or a new team-up movie, potentially set in an alternate universe to avoid legal conflicts with Disney’s MCU. The success of these projects will depend on Paramount’s ability to deliver compelling stories and capitalize on the actors’ star power.

For fans, the prospect of seeing Downey, Evans, and Hemsworth reprise their iconic roles under a new studio is both exciting and uncertain. Will Paramount’s films match the MCU’s spectacle, or will they carve out a distinct niche? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the superhero genre is entering a new era of competition, with Paramount and its Avengers stars leading the charge.

Conclusion

The reported Avengers deals with Paramount mark a pivotal moment in Hollywood, challenging Disney’s grip on the superhero genre. Fueled by tensions over salaries and creative control, this move signals a broader power shift, as talent and rival studios seek to redefine the industry landscape. As Paramount builds its new franchise, the world watches to see whether it can rival the MCU’s legacy—or if Disney will find a way to reclaim its dominance. For now, the Avengers’ bold declaration, “Disney Can Kiss Our Ass,” echoes as a rallying cry for change in Tinseltown.