It was recently reported by several major news outlets that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is exploring a potential sale. The company confirmed it had received “unsolicited interest” from “multiple parties for both the entire company and Warner Bros. alone.” This revelation could have major implications for the future of the entertainment industry, especially in the world of theme parks.
Warner Bros. Discovery owns some of the most valuable and recognizable entertainment franchises, including Harry Potter, DC Comics, Looney Tunes, Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, Barbie, and Scooby-Doo. These are powerhouse properties that fuel box office hits, television series, and billions in merchandise sales.
Any well-informed theme park fan might immediately point out, “Hey some of what was just listed are already in the Universal theme parks!” And they would be correct. Universal has long benefited from these brands through licensing agreements, with Harry Potter in particular serving as the backbone of its massive theme park success since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010.
Universal also enjoys holding the East Coast theme park rights to Marvel, which has long been a strategic advantage over Disney. But if Disney were ever to gain control over Warner Bros.’ movie, TV, and merchandising rights, Universal would again be the theme park home to more Disney own franchises. Comcast, Universal’s parent company, would never want to see Disney wield control over so many properties that already play a central role in its parks.
One potential challenge in acquiring Warner Bros. would involve DC Comics. If Comcast and Universal did take ownership of the DC universe, they might finally need to update the aging Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Rebranding that area into a DC Heroes land could both modernize the park and align it with Universal’s new intellectual property portfolio. But this change would also return the full theme park rights for Marvel to Disney, which could finally allow Disney to integrate Marvel heroes into Walt Disney World without restrictions. While this would be a notable trade-off, the timing could actually work in Universal’s favor, especially with James Gunn now leading DC Studios and revitalizing the brand. A thriving DC cinematic universe could inspire a fresh, exciting theme park experience that feels new and relevant to younger audiences.
Beyond superheroes, a number of Warner Bros. properties would be a perfect cultural and thematic fit for Universal. Franchises like Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, and other HBO originals cater to a more mature audience, precisely the demographic Universal often targets. These franchises are far from the whimsical Fantasyland tone that defines Disney’s parks. Universal has always leaned into thrills and cinematic realism, making properties like Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings natural additions to their parks, particularly in immersive, high-detail lands.
At the same time, Warner Bros. also offers something Universal has never truly possessed: a lineup of classic, family-friendly cartoons. The Looney Tunes franchise could fill a long-standing gap in Universal’s offerings. Characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird are iconic, beloved by multiple generations, and instantly recognizable worldwide. While Looney Tunes may not hold the same cultural dominance as Mickey Mouse, it still carries far greater nostalgic and mainstream value than Universal’s legacy mascot, Woody Woodpecker. Bringing the Looney Tunes crew into the parks would strengthen Universal’s family-friendly lineup and balance out the darker or more thrilling attractions.
There would, of course, be logistical and licensing challenges to navigate. Six Flags currently holds theme park rights to Looney Tunes and DC Comics, but Comcast has the resources and leverage to negotiate buyouts or long-term partnerships. Six Flags, while a significant player in the amusement park space, operates on a completely different scale than Comcast’s Universal Parks and Resorts. With Comcast’s financial power and global reach, those obstacles could likely be resolved in the pursuit of long-term growth and creative expansion.
Ultimately, a Warner Bros. acquisition by Comcast would be transformative. It would fortify Universal’s dominance in theme park entertainment, give it unmatched control over some of the world’s most recognizable intellectual properties, and allow it to compete directly with Disney across every medium, including films, streaming, merchandise, and experiences. The combination of Universal’s creative innovation with Warner Bros.’ legendary franchises would create endless opportunities for storytelling and immersive attractions.
