‘Avengers, ‘Star Wars’ are money for Disney

LOS ANGELES – Who would win if Captain America fought Luke Skywalker? Why Disney, of course, which stands to bring in astronomical amounts of money this year from two big installments of the most popular film franchises ever.

With its Marvel movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron” just having notched the second-biggest domestic opening weekend of all time and a new “Star Wars” movie coming this winter, analysts expect the company to post not only great movie studio results but a big uptick in merchandise revenue and profits this year.

“Avengers” has hauled in $664 million at theaters globally since its staggered release began two weeks ago, and buzz is already building for “Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens,” set for release Dec. 18.

CEO Bob Iger also told CNBC Tuesday that “Star Wars” is already the No. 1 franchise in the world for consumer products. The Walt Disney Co. plans a massive release of new merchandise surrounding the movie Sept. 4, what it’s calling “Force Friday.”

Netflix letter urges FCC to reject DirecTV deal

NEW YORK – Internet video service Netflix is telling the Federal Communication Commission that it should reject AT&T’s purchase of satellite TV company DirecTV unless some changes are made.

In a letter dated Monday, Netflix said if the deal is completed in its current form, AT&T could decide to hurt online video producers like Netflix and Hulu in order to protect the investment it’s making in DirecTV. It could do that by implementing data caps or usage-based pricing that would make Netflix video more expensive to watch, Netflix said, adding that AT&T has already shown it’s willing to degrade consumers’ access to Netflix streams.

Netflix said it isn’t opposed to the deal in principle and only has concerns about its current form.

Outbreak of turkey flu leads to plant layoffs

MINNEAPOLIS – Jennie-O Turkey Store said Tuesday that it will temporarily lay off 233 workers at its Faribault processing plant because the bird flu has cut into its turkey supplies.

The company said in a news release it will move to a single processing shift in Faribault for the “foreseeable future,” effective May 26.

“This is a temporary layoff and our intent is to have everyone come back to work when bird numbers return to normal levels,” Randy L. Vergin, the Faribault plant manager said in a press statement. “We do not have an anticipated return to work date at this time.”

Jennie-O, a division of Austin-based Hormel Foods, is the nation’s second largest turkey processor.

In Minnesota, the nation’s largest turkey producing state, the flu has lead to the deaths of around 3.8 million turkeys and 1.6 million chickens.

Jeep, Dodge sun visor investigation reopens

DETROIT – The U.S. government is reopening an investigation into Jeep and Dodge sun visors after reports that some caught fire even after a recall repair.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recalled 895,000 2011-14 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos worldwide last summer after a government investigation found that a short in the vanity lamp wiring could cause visors to burn. FCA has been adding a plastic part to properly guide the wires.

FCA said the defect was only present in SUVs that were incorrectly reassembled after previous repairs. But Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has reopened its investigation after receiving eight reports that visors caught fire even after the recall repair.