Its speculated that either storyline would cost over $200 million. Its just not a smart move. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ending established that Namor was almost using Wakanda to gain his long-awaited war on the surface world, meaning he could potentially appear in an antagonistic role again in a future Black Panther film. At the same time, Universal retains "the right of first refusal to distribute any future solo Hulk movies," which accounts for the lack of a second Hulk solo movie in the MCU. All rights reserved. Prior to Disney acquiring Marvel, they had a distribution agreement with Paramount for Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. That means that when Marvel Studios wants to make a Hulk movie, they are contractually obligated to ask Universal if they want the distribution rights. Children 40-48 inches (102-122 cm) must be . Yet, over time, the rights to characters came back to Marvel from studios like New Line and Paramount. After Ang Lee's regrettable Hulk film in 2003, Universal agreed to let Marvel Studios make the next picture, distributing The Incredible Hulk. Although, Disney may need to be quick to get started on a Hulk-centric project as Mark Ruffalo may well be looking to move on from the role soon after over ten years as Bruce Banner. But while these two Marvel icons are the studios' intellectual property, a distribution rights deal with Universal for those characters' films with Marvel Studios existed before the Mouse moved into the House of Ideas. I would love to see another stand-alone Hulk film, but it just doesnt seem likely. This isn't the main reason we haven't heard an announcement on Planet Hulk or any other Hulk movie, though. Marvel Super Hero Island is part of Universals Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. The last we heard on the matter came from Mark Ruffalo, who pointed the finger squarely at Universal not playing nice with Marvel. The Marvel Cinematic Universe's relationship with the Incredible Hulk has been relatively awkward since the film was released in 2008. With the acquisition of Marvel in 2004, Disney increased its popularity even further among people who do not read comic books. Here Universal's the only ones who win. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and of course - Netflix and chill! The most important verbiage is that Universal owns the rights to Marvel "in perpetuity"; meaning for as long as the contract is in good standing. 5 Benefits of Comparing Top Products and Services Before Buying, EXCLUSIVE: DETAILS on Original Script For Black Panther Wakanda Forever, Casino Based On A True Story? Sony will continue to produce all Spider-Man and Spidey films until at least nine months have passed. Marvel theme park rights are the exclusive rights to use Marvel intellectual property at an amusement park or other theme park setting. 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Marvel has been trying to get the rights to these characters back for years, but has had little success. While the Hulk has existed in live-action since the late 1970s, Namor only recently made his debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This is also why the Hulk only appears in the various Marvel Studios movies as a supporting character, such as in The Avengers films or Thor: Ragnarok. The rights of Hulk belonged to Universal similar to Spider-Man's rights in Sony This means that the release of any Hulk/Namor solo film from the initial greenlighting of the film, to theatrical and home releases, as well as sorting out distribution revenue shares and so on falls solely on Universal's shoulders. And Universal is confirmed to have the right of first refusal on the distribution of any Hulk movie planned for the future. The attractions will be located in Paris as part of Disneys park expansion, which will include the construction of its own Avengers Campus, where guests can meet and greet Marvel characters and enjoy on-theme restaurants such as the Pym Test Kitchen and the Ant-Man and The Wasp-themed Why did Disney sell Marvels rights to Marvel? If you have never seen a Marvel movie, I highly recommend you check one out. This could fall on the relationship between the two studios not being as close as Sony and Marvel, or more simply be that Kevin Feige is in no rush to make a Hulk solo film. Marvel characters were licensed to Universal Studios in 1994. Some people prefer action movies, while others might prefer comedies or dramas. { As is evident with Marvel Studios' deal with Sony, there are ways the two studios could come together and work out a mutually beneficial deal for Marvel Studios to release solo films for the characters. Over the past few years, Marvel Studios has set out to acquire most of the rights to Marvel Comics characters. New evidence posted to Reddit seems to indicate that Universals Hulk distribution agreement could end in June of 2023. Since The Incredible Hulk, the character has appeared in all four Avengers movies, as well as cameos in Iron Man 3, Captain Marvel, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and supporting roles in Thor: Ragnarok and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Growing up in the English countryside on a mixture of Star Wars, The Simpsons and Aardman, Alex is a lifelong movie obsessive. He works better when surrounded by a team, with the character not having to shoulder a whole movie on his own. There is another rumor of Marvel Studios developing a World War Hulk movie following events from She Hulk. These are not included under Universals Hulk rights. Universal currently owns distribution rights to any movie starring Hulk or Namor in the leading role, meaning they receive a significant share of the profits. It is not possible for Disney or Universal to use the Marvel name in their parks because they have a long-term agreement. You can see the excerpt from the SEC filings below: 6. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016), Thor: Ragnarok (2017, Black Panther 2018), Avengers: Infinity War (Fall 2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (Fall 2018), Captain Marvel (2019), and Avengers: Marvel rides are some of the most popular rides at theme parks around the world. Distribution Term: Paramount shall have the right to exercise its Paramount Distribution Rights with respect to each Picture for an initial period of 15 years commencing on the initial Theatrical Exhibition of such Picture (the 'Initial Distribution Term');". While it is unconfirmed if there will be a sequel to The Incredible Hulk or if rights are going to go to Disney, the SEC filing is the base of the rumor from The Direct that rights for The Hulk will be given to Disney. The deal between Universal and Disney is iron clad; however, it may have a time limit. An SEC filing from 2006 notes Universal Studios' agreement to distributeThe Incredible Hulkunder the same terms as a similar deal with Paramount: "Universal Studios has agreed to distribute Marvels film The Incredible Hulk and sequels on essentially the same terms as those on which Paramount has agreed to distribute the other films financed and produced under the film facility. For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( As such, if Disney makes a Hulk or Namor film, Comcast can distribute the film on Peacock. Regarding the Marvel Studios Spider-Man films, Disney pays Sony a licensing fee to use the character (Civil War, Homecoming, Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Far From Home) based on how each film performs at the box office. Related: Black Panther 2 Repeats An Infinity War Trick To Make Namor More Powerful. Marvel Entertainments acquisition by Universal is a significant acquisition for the company because it enters a highly competitive market for comic books and movies. } Disney does not permit the use of the comic book character at any of its theme parks in the United States or Canada. This was the case with Universals film The Incredible Hulk, which was part of the MCU. The Hulk will be back in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which premieres on August 18. Copyright | Based in London, he oversees a global news & features team based in NY, LA and beyond. This situation is very similar to that of another longstanding MCU character: the Hulk. Universal Pictures has the rights to produce and distribute a Hulk movie under a deal it struck with Marvel. RELATED:The Marvel's Release Date Pushed Back To November. However, Marvel could attempt to regain the rights to the characters for Phase 5 and beyond. For those who don't know, the film rights to everyone's favorite big, green, rage monster are complicated. KEEP READING:She-Hulk Fan Proves Tatiana Maslany Looks Just Like the MCU Superhero, Source: The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Moreover, Marvel has made a deal with Sony that allows them Spider-Man to exist in the MCU. These parks feature rides of the highest quality, in addition to Marvel movies long history with them. Universal Studios has the rights to many of these characters, and has used them in a variety of theme park attractions and live shows. However, also working against that are creative reasons as well as contractual. Now Open - Get Details. Throughout the day, various Spider-Man and Marvel merchandise will be available for purchase. Is the Disney+ MCU Cutting Into Marvel Studios' Box Office Performance? Things getcomplicated here as The Wrap's report begins getting into the financial complications such a deal would involve. This may come as a disappointment to many, who wish for a Namor solo film after his fantastic debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Avengers Campus is named after the city of Tokyo (the location of Avengers Theme Park). Nope, The Batman Spinoff The Penguin Now Filming, Batman George Clooney Rumored For The Flash, Marvels Ant-Man 3 Breaks Batman vs Superman Record. based on the reaction to the character since The Avengers, it's working. Which Studios Own the Rights to Marvel's Characters? The first installment of his superhero fiction book, TALES OF ADVENTURE & FANTASY, is available on Amazon in print and ebook! So, naturally, the question becomes, will the man they call Kulk'ulk'an get a solo film? According to a 2002 report, Walt Disney was in talks to purchase archrival Universal. There appears to . During their stay, attendees can attend superhero training sessions with Iron Man and Black Widow. Marvel regained cinematic rights to the character in 2005 after Universal failed to make a follow-up to Ang Lee's Hulk movie. In 2018, Disney generated $20.3 billion in revenue, while Universal Theme Parks generated $5.7 billion. While Disney and Marvel hold rights to develop movies starring The Hulk, Universal and Marvel reached an agreement in June 2008 to distribute The Incredible Hulk.. The Controversial Comic Book Reveal, 5 Superhero Games You Should Download Today. Marvel acquired the rights to the superhero theme park rights from Universal Studios in 1994. However, as Marvel Studios have not yet made any effort to do so despite Mark Ruffalo's Hulk being such an integral MCU character, it is unlikely to happen. And as the past has shown, the previous two Hulk movies came nowhere close to those numbers. Many fans have been wondering if this is true, and what is going on with the rights between Universal and Marvel. Besides Hulk, Namor, and Spider-Man, Disney owns the rights to almost every single character in Marvel Comics. The Company distributes all Marvel-produced films with the exception of The Incredible Hulk, which is distributed by Universal Pictures. All rights not expressly granted to Paramount, including without limitation, the following rights: merchandising, soundtrack, videogame, publishing (other than free excerpts for marketing purposes), music publishing, production of derivative works and other audio-visual works based on the Marvel Characters and/or Marvel Titles, including without Well, its likely that Universal and Marvel could renew the contract like Marvel did with Sony in 2019. Despite the MCU making strides to retrieve these rights - such as their deal with Sony to use Tom Holland's Spider-Man and the Disney acquisition of Fox for the X-Men - some of them remain complicated. Condition: New. Although these characters are no longer featured at Universal Orlando Resort, they remain a major part of the Marvel universe, and they will be a big hit with fans of the movies and television shows. If, or when, Universal chooses to forgo distribution, Disney will immediately pick up those distribution rights for a solo Hulk movie. I'm Joel Watson and I'm a content manager at veryaware.com, an entertainment website. } Thanks to the late co-creator of the Marvel Universe, cartoons and live-action series that featured Hulk, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange hit TV. It's the reason there is only one stand-alone Hulk film. The Fabelmans. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Disney has regained ownership of the Marvel Comics character after Universal Pictures gave up rights to him. As The Incredible Hulk was released in 2008, this would mean that Marvel could use Hulk again from 2023 onwards. Next: Groot's MCU Future Can Explain Vin Diesel's Exciting Hulk Fight Tease. Namor will make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which will be released in theaters on November 11. Fury of the Gods Special: Shazamily Matters, 10 Marvel Movies That Were Set Up To Fail, 10 Sci-Fi Films That Bombed At The Box Office But Became Cult Classics, Quantumania's MODOK Actor Defends His Ant-Man Role After Fan Backlash. In 2021, Lewis graduated from university with a Film and TV Studies degree, earning First Class Honours. Despite never getting a sequel, the character has remained a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She-Hulk will premiere on Disney+ in 2022. I've been working in the online publishing industry for over 10 years and have a passion for creating engaging, entertaining content. (function() { This is why the one truly successful outing for Hulk is the TV series, which by its nature focused on Banner's conflict and internal drama - things that are great for episodic TV but not really a big blockbuster movie. Marvel Studios' Phase 4 and 5 slates may be filled to the brim for now, but there are still plenty of release opportunities left in Phase 6 and beyond. This was fine in the freewheeling 2000s when Marvel stood as its own thing, but now under Disney creates a conflict - they would be loaning out an IP so another company can make money off it. Yet, now that Bob Iger is back in charge of Disney, maybe he can complete his Marvel Comics collection and work out a new deal. Advertise, Funny Superhero (DC & Marvel) Shirts & Stickers. The agreement has the potential to stay in effect (aka good faith) or for an indefinite period of time, unless Universal decides to close the Marvel Universe area, stops making payments for use of the property, or Marvel opts out of the contract if it believes Universal is mismanaging its rights. In recent years, it has been widely speculated as to why Disney and Marvel Entertainment havent worked together on a Marvel-themed theme park. However, Feige expanded in July 2014 saying that Marvel Studios, not Universal Pictures or Legendary Pictures, could make a Namor film, "but it's slightly more complicated than that. However, the two studios have had a strained relationship since then. KEEP READING: She-Hulk Fan Proves Tatiana Maslany Looks Just Like the MCU Superhero With the current state of Hulk's distribution rights sitting up in the air, new evidence has been uncovered to suggest when Disney will reacquire the rights. The studio wants to keep him as a 'special event' character, which raises the profile of an ensemble movie like these two mentioned, or Captain America: Civil War, where Bruce Banner is rumored to appear next. RELATED: Why Were the Hulk's Pants Always Purple? Marvel Studios and Sony have mutually terminated their Spider-Man franchise. and not used in merchandise, licensing or video games because Fox owned the characters. Marvel Super Hero Island, a massive Marvel-themed attraction at Universal Orlando, is one of the many attractions in the park. Thiswould ultimately be a very small part of any deal, but outside of combining Disney+ and Hulu,a potential sale - the streamer is valued between$19.8 billion and $27.5 billion - has the potential to add as much $13 to stock prices. Like with Spider-Man, there is scope for some agreement, although the current terms don't leave much room for negotiation. On September 23, 2003, a 34-year-old woman . Namors MCU introduction led to many calling for a solo film for the antihero, yet the character's rights are owned by Universal, similar to the Hulk. Site Map | Since Hulk came out in June of 2008 this means that the agreement could end in June of 2023. Whether you are a die-hard comic book fan or someone who has never even picked up a comic book, there is a Marvel movie out there for you. But they did not obtain the distribution rights, which Universal still has today. Father, veteran, and storyteller. Now, it could be simply the company wasn't going to give up their ability to call on the powerful clause rather than actual disagreement, but it's clear the whole situation comes down to that. Marvel won back the Hulk movie production rights in 2005, after Universal failed to put a sequel to 2003's Hulk into immediate production. Disney has exclusive rights to Marvel theme parks through a deal between the two companies. Universal Could Be Considering Selling The Film Rights To THE HULK And NAMOR Back To Disney, A new report suggests there's a good chance Universal Pictures might finally sell the rights to the, During the recent D23 expo, we learned that Tim Blake Nelson would reprise the role of Dr. Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, in, Mark Ruffalo talks more about that big reveal in the latest episode of.