7 Fantastic Animes You Need to be Watching Right Now. Disney purchased Marvel Universal to ensure the continuation of their partnership. Of course, this hasn't prevented Marvel from giving Hulk a multi-film arc in the MCU, similar to those for characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow. New evidence posted to Reddit seems to indicate that Universals Hulk distribution agreement could end in June of 2023. While Marvel Studios is able to include The Hulk and Namor in movies, they've been restricted from releasing solo outings due to Universal holding those rights. Copyright 2020 The Direct Media Group LLC. In March 2008, a short teaser trailer for The Incredible Hulk was released. How His Situation Compares To Hulk, Black Panther 2 Repeats An Infinity War Trick To Make Namor More Powerful, Marvel Was Right To Scrap Black Panthers Original Namor Credits Scene, Mark Ruffalo's Hulk being such an integral MCU, Marvel Studios could make a solo Hulk movie, Groot's MCU Future Can Explain Vin Diesel's Exciting Hulk Fight Tease. RELATED:The Marvel's Release Date Pushed Back To November. on: function(evt, cb) { The future of both the Hulk and Namor rest solely on Universal. Another has more recently been revealed to be Namor. A recent rumor has suggested that the solo film rights to the Hulk may be returning to Marvel Studios in 2023! Avengers Campus is named after the city of Tokyo (the location of Avengers Theme Park). As we said at the start, Hulk isn't the most popular of the main Avengers. Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort, and Universal Studios Japan all have amazing Marvel rides that are sure to thrill and excite any fan of the superhero franchise. In an interview covered by The Wrap, a Wall Street analyst for Citi, Jason Bazinet, predicted that terms agreed to in Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox and its assets in 2019 could lead to the return of the rights for two wayward Marvel superheroes: Hulk and Namor. In addition to Disney and Marvel, Universal has the first right to distribute the Hulk movies. Disneys $71 billion purchase of 21st Century Fox in March 2019 is the largest acquisition in history. As Mark Ruffalo, who took over playing Bruce Banner/Hulk from Edward Norton after The Incredible Hulk, explained in 2017, Marvel Studios President/Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige "pulled me aside before [Thor: Ragnarok], and said, If you were gonna do a if we were going to do a standalone Hulk movie, what would it be?" After Ruffalo told Feige what he had in mind, his ideas were integrated into not only Ragnarokbut also Infinity War and Endgame. As has been known since Disney's acquisition of Marvel Studios in 2009, the distribution rights for certain Marvel characters have rested with Universal Pictures. This complicated legal issue has since led the MCU to limit Hulk to supporting roles and omit solo projects altogether. Things getcomplicated here as The Wrap's report begins getting into the financial complications such a deal would involve. 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. Before the days of the MCU, the characters from the many Marvel Comics were almost shared out among other Hollywood studios. Along with a number of other Universal Studios attractions, Islands of Adventure includes a Marvel Super Hero Island. While Universal agreed to share the character with the main universe in MCU, it was still not allowed for Disney and Marvel to produce any solo movie on him. Universal currently holds the rights to several Marvel characters, including the Hulk, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Incredible Hulk. Hulk appearing as a secondary character in the MCU receives just as much attention as other main characters like Thor and Iron Man, as the solo Hulk film. The deal between Universal and Disney is iron clad; however, it may have a time limit. While Hollywood filmmaking will always be his most knowledgeable area, Lewis still enjoys anything in the world of filmmaking. Running from 1977 to 1982 (with three TV movies that joined David Banner with Thor and Daredevil), it reshaped how wider culture viewed the Green Goliath, popularising many essential elements (not least "don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry"). Captain America: Civil War takes place six decades before the Marvel Cinematic Universe debuted. The company could be waiting for Universal to terminate before making a decision on their future. The Incredible Hulk Coaster. So, while they can't do anything active with the rights, should Marvel decide to make a Hulk movie Universal must be approached first. Namor will make his MCU debut inBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwhich hits theaters on November 11. But with Comcast's NBCUniversal controlling the two superheroes' distribution rights, Bazinet suggested a deal could be in the offing. This took a very meandering route to Ang Lee's Hulk in 2003, a film whose mixed reaction led to a muted sequel development period that ultimately saw the rights revert to Marvel in 2006, just as the studio was setting up the MCU. Now with Disney about to buy Fox, all the characters have returned to the Marvel comics and are now also being used in licensing, merchandise and gaming. 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. After all, Ruffalo's contract originally ran for six movies, so assuming that hasn't changed he still has one more to go (Iron Man 3 is unlikely to have counted); rounding things off with a Hulk movie would a fitting finale to the character's time in the MCU. This was the case with Universals film The Incredible Hulk, which was part of the MCU. This is important because it made Hulk a multimedia star at a time when Marvel was cautious of the big screen. { He's covered a wide range of movies and TV shows - from digging out obscure MCU Easter eggs to diving deep into deeper meanings of arthouse fare - and has covered a litany of set visits, junkets and film festivals. And this is true of both in the 1960s and the 2000s. There may be a more antagonistic side to this as well. This category includes She Hulk as well. Daredevil (and by extension the entire Netflix Defenders franchise) exists only because Marvel wasn't able to wrangle Galactus and the Silver Surfer back from Fox, and just this summer we got Sony/Marvel co-production Spider-Man: Homecoming where the web-slinger joined the franchise while being made by a different company. 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. And as the past has shown, the previous two Hulk movies came nowhere close to those numbers. Next: Groot's MCU Future Can Explain Vin Diesel's Exciting Hulk Fight Tease. Exploring The Possibility Of Superman Growing Up With Parents: What Could Have Been? They do own the distribution rights for Incredible Hulk (2008), currently, but not necessarily to Hulk as a franchise. For now, Marvel and Disney think the character works better as part of an ensemble. David Maisel, a former Marvel Studios executive who played a key role in getting the MCU up and going, subsequently proposed that Marvel Studios make the next Hulk film and pay Universal to distribute it, which resulted in 2008's The Incredible Hulk. RELATED: Why Bob Iger Returning to Disney May Be Bad for Marvel Fans. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. based on the reaction to the character since The Avengers, it's working. There hasn't been a Hulk solo movie since 2008, which is because the film rights are tied up with Universal Pictures. forms: { Counting in marketing costs and everything else that goes along with it, a solo Hulk movie would have to break $750 million worldwide to be economically viable. Since 2008, Marvel Studios has also acquired the rights to Ghost Rider, Blade, Daredevil, and a slew of others. According to Broussard, the Incredible Hulk was the clear winner when it came to placing second. Do you think we'll eventually see solo Hulk and Namor movies? Well, its likely that Universal and Marvel could renew the contract like Marvel did with Sony in 2019. The Hulk. They have made great strides to do so and have been very successful in that regard. In their 2018 financial report, Disney also confirms that Spider-Man is still licensed to Sony Pictures, and that the Fantastic Four and X-Men are currently with Fox Studios. Disney CEO Bob Iger assured shareholders in 2009 that Marvels acquisition would not be jeopardized. 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');". 27 Unearthed legal documents may suggest that Disney and Marvel Studios will regain theatrical distribution rights to The Incredible Hulk and other Hulk films in June 2023. That is exactly why Mark Ruffalo does not have a solo project of his own despite his character being so darn popular among even the most casual of moviegoers. What this means is Universal cannot make a Hulk. In addition to Sony still having the film rights to Spider-Man-related characters, Universal Pictures continues to hold the distribution rights to solo movies about The Hulk and Namor the. })(); The Security and Exchange Commission filing, Mickeys Premium Ice Cream Bar Crocs and Scented Loungefly Arrive at Walt Disney World, Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction Enchanted Tiki Room Ears Arrive At Walt Disney World. 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. This is why The Incredible Hulk, the character's only solo outing in the MCU, was distributed by Universal. Hulk has had his own solo movie and appeared in several Marvel Studios films. 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. Monica Rambeaus Superhero Costume Leaks! While Marvel Studios have the rights to use Hulk and Namor in their films to whatever extent they please, releasing a solo film is more complicated due to Universal owning distribution rights. } Disney+s She Hulk: Attorney at Law starts streaming August 18. In 1994, Universal Studios obtained the rights to license the Marvel comic books theme parks. Both Planet Hulk and the long rumored World War Hulk would be incredibly expensive to pull off on the big screen the right way. A sale that adds $13 to each of those puts roughly an extra $6.5 million in his pocket! Marvel Super Hero Island, a massive Marvel-themed attraction at Universal Orlando, is one of the many attractions in the park. Marvel Studios has finally explained its Hulk movie deal with Universal Pictures and how it affects the character's role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Avengers Campus will be the first Avenger theme park in the United States. Sony received the rights to Spider-Man, the X-Men went to 20th Century Fox, and characters like Hulk and Namor had their rights obtained by Universal Pictures. 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. Transformers: The Ride-3D: Must be 40 inches (102 cm) tall. ComicBookMovie.com is a registered trademark and has been officially registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Especially if Marvel and Disney go the Planet Hulk route. Prior to the Companys acquisition of Marvel in fiscal year 2010, Marvel had licensed the rights to third-party studios to produce and distribute feature films based on certain Marvel properties including Spider-Man (licensed to Sony Pictures Entertainment), The Fantastic Four (licensed to 21CF) and X-Men (licensed to 21CF). Moreover, Marvel has made a deal with Sony that allows them Spider-Man to exist in the MCU. In 2009, Disney paid $4 billion for Marvel, and the agreement is a long-term one, as long as Universal keeps paying Disney. Of course, the comics moved beyond this in the 1960s, but culturally that is where Hulk's been, and it's only really in Ragnarok where his autonomy is presented. Marvel theme park rights are the exclusive rights to use Marvel intellectual property at an amusement park or other theme park setting. Those who own physical media copies of those early Marvel films will know both Paramount and Universal distributed those films. The past box office for these films does not justify that as a solid business plan. Yet due to Universal Pictures releasing the prior Hulk film, they held the distribution rights to The Incredible Hulk. The acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney in 2019 brought home several big Marvel characters such as The X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool among others. Played by Tenoch Huerta, this interpretation is a massive hit with fans, both diehards and those unfamiliar with Namor. Apex Legends vs Fornite which is better? These deals with Sony and Universal are beneficial for Marvel but it stands to reason they would rather have all their characters under the same roof. Could this change? To say Marvel Studios is unlikely to work with Universal to distribute a solo MCU film might be stating the obvious. Universal Owns Namor's Rights, Too? Copyright | Marvel confirmed rights involving Hulk and Namor are still with Universal, meaning the Disney-owned characters will probably never get solo movies. Many have been desperate to see a sequel toThe Incredible Hulkwith Mark Ruffalo for over a decade, andShe-Hulkhas so far been the closest Marvel has been able to offer due to legal agreements. The Marvel Universe is home to some of the most iconic characters in pop culture. Contributing writer for Movieweb since 2001. 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. For removal of copyrighted images, trademarks, or other issues, Contact Us. "We believe Disney may sell its 67% stake in Hulu," Citi analyst Jason Bazinet wrote in a new note . The film production company is a joint venture between Disney and Marvel. Neither Disney nor Universals theme parks have a single ride that can be used by both. Overseas, Hulu titles are added to the Disney+ library, but the two streaming platforms remain completely separate in the U.S. Having two of these services to contend with has become something of a financial burden, and selling its 67% share could be highly beneficial to the company. Marvel and Sony Strike a Deal in 1998 to License the Film Rights to Spider-Man and 900 Related Characters Back when superheroes were still in their infancy, Sony and Marvel struck a deal to license the film rights to Spider-Man and 900 related characters. Hulk Movie Rights Explained, Solo Movie Still Years Away, 10 Movies That Were Rated R for Basically No Reason, 10 Greatest Classic Movies of All Time, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes, 15 Critically Panned Movies that Somehow Got Sequels. If for some reason Universal chose to forgo distribution, then Disney would immediately pick up the distribution rights for the Hulk movie. Is the Disney+ MCU Cutting Into Marvel Studios' Box Office Performance? The Hulk might be coming home as rumors are spreading that claim Marvel now completely owns the rights to the big, green and angry hero, which could potentially lead to a new series of standalone films for the Hulk. Hulk movies are not proven at best, unpopular at worst. Also, after She-Hulk introduced Skaar, Hulk's son, and began planting seeds of a Hulk story many have longed to see, it is no secret that solo films for both characters would be welcome in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yes, you read that right! Since Comcast's Universal owns the film distribution rights for Hulk and newcomer Namor, the Wall Street analyst argues, "If Hulu is sold, Disney may use this as an opportunity to secure. The final reason given for no solo Hulk movie anytime in the near future is that it will cost a lot of money. Hulk is Jekyll and Hyde where Hyde is typically mindless. So from all this, there's no official barrier to another MCU Hulk movie. HULK Star Josh Lucas Has Nothing But Good Things To Say About Ang Lee's Divisive Marvel Movie While Marvel Studios is able to include The Hulk and Namor in movies, they've been restricted from. A movie many fans hope is Planet Hulk. The movie rights of Hulk have always been dynamic unlike the character rights of the other superheroes. Both Namor and the Incredible Hulk are characters Disney owns the rights to use in stories, films or television. While the Hulk has existed in live-action since the late 1970s, Namor only recently made his debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. "As such, if Disney makes a Hulk or Namor film, Comcast can distribute the film on . Marvel acquired the rights to the superhero theme park rights from Universal Studios in 1994. The Marvel Cinematic Universe's relationship with the Incredible Hulk has been relatively awkward since the film was released in 2008. All Rights Reserved. The Return Of Superman: A Show That Positively Portrays Fathers, The 1978 Superman Film And Its Iconic Sequel Superman II. It's well known that characters' movie rights have a big influence on the Marvel films made. Sure, anything could happen if the deal ends, but whats most likely is they just renew the deal. What's also unclear is if the distribution deal also extends to TV. What this means is Universal cannot make a Hulk movie, with Disney and Marvel unable to distribute a Hulk movie if they choose to move forward and make one. Yet, the same would've been said about the Sony and Disney partnership before it happened. And Universal is confirmed to have the right of first refusal on the distribution of any Hulk movie planned for the future. Photos not available for this variation. They are the lowest earners in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All of the characters who appeared in Hulk comics during this time period are included. Since the Marvel movies, Disney has earned more money from them than Universal. Because of this, and Tenoch Huerta's fantastic performance, many MCU viewers would like a Namor solo film - something that may not be happening anytime soon. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. 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. Universal's Film Rights Dictate The Future Of Namor & The Hulk The future of both the Hulk and Namor rest solely on Universal. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and of course - Netflix and chill! He works better when surrounded by a team, with the character not having to shoulder a whole movie on his own. The rights to both characters are currently tangled up with Universal. However, also working against that are creative reasons as well as contractual. It is not possible for Disney or Universal to use the Marvel name in their parks because they have a long-term agreement. All logos and images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies. Condition: New. 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. Fans shouldn't take the newly-uncovered details of the agreement between Disney and Universal as a certainty the House of Mouse is about to reacquire the distribution rights to Hulk and Namor. The Hulk Surely Marvel owns The Hulk! What makes Marvel movies so special is that they are able to appeal to a wide range of people. So, naturally, the question becomes, will the man they call Kulk'ulk'an get a solo film? Neither of the films got great attention either; The Incredible Hulk is one of the worst reviewed of the entire MCU and is often forgotten when it comes to full-franchise assessment. As The Incredible Hulk was released in 2008, this would mean that Marvel could use Hulk again from 2023 onwards. Some of the content presented on our sites has been provided by fans, other unofficial websites or online news sources, and is the sole responsibility of the source from which it was obtained. So what does this mean for The Hulk and his future in the MCU? Never, Universal Studios permanently owns the distribution rights to any film in which Hulk portrays himself as the main character, as well as his related friends in his universe. Disney intends to regain distribution rights to the character within 15 years, according to the 15-year period. However, this only happened after Universal failed to get a sequel to Ang Lee's 2003 Hulk movie in active development by the contracted date (at which point the rights would revert to Marvel). Marvel has been trying to get the rights to these characters back for years, but has had little success. Despite Disneys purchase of Marvel Entertainment, the studio continued to produce Marvel films. However, Universal does still hold the right of first refusal with . As such, if Disney makes a Hulk or Namor film, Comcast can distribute the film on Peacock. These rights are typically granted by Marvel Entertainment, Inc. to theme park operators in exchange for a licensing fee and a percentage of the parks gross revenues. However, even under the Mouse House, Universal still has that "first refusal" clause. By Matt McGloin / Saturday, January 12, 2019 - 2:04AM. Many fans have been wondering if this is true, and what is going on with the rights between Universal and Marvel. Post-Homecoming, anything's possible. A new Hulk movie would have to be given over to the Green Goliath, with the story revolving around an entirely CGI Hulk. Disney once again confirms they distribute all the Marvel-produced films except for The Incredible Hulk, which is distributed by Universal Pictures. The film audience for the title didn't grow between movies, which is seen as a bad sign. On September 23, 2003, a 34-year-old woman . And as part of that negotiation process, Comcast -- relegating to a non-controlling shareholder with a 33% ownership stake -- gained the right, starting in 2024, to demand that Disney buy it out at a minimum Hulu valuation of $27.5 billion. Ive been working in the online publishing industry for over 10 years and have a passion for creating engaging, entertaining content. The Marvel brand is not permitted by Disney to be used in the licensing of Marvel content to U.S. theme parks. Despite a brief jaunt in Mathematics at Durham University, film writing was always his calling. This is because Universal's option only relates to explicit Hulk films and, as Bruce Banner is clearly part of an ensemble in these cases, they have no say in them. Universal Studios Hollywood. The Avengers film rights have only been licensed to Universal by the company. Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill introduce the Atlantean ruler, played by Tenoch Huerta, but his MCU future remains up in the air as of now. Despite being one of the founding Avengers, the Hulk has had an arguably small role to play in the MCU as the only member of the team not to lead a solo project since Phase 1. In recent years, it has been widely speculated as to why Disney and Marvel Entertainment havent worked together on a Marvel-themed theme park. Spider-Man is one of the Marvel Villains on hand, so dont miss out on the chance to meet him. This is similar to how Namor can be used in the future. In addition to Universal Orlandos ownership of Marvel characters in theme parks for a few decades now in an agreement that appears to be indefinite, the company reportedly has a deal in place with The Simpsons that will expire in 2028. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. Unlike other Marvel characters in the MCU, such as Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor, Namor and Hulk are not solely owned by Marvel Studios. Namor will make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which will be released in theaters on November 11. Prior to Disney acquiring Marvel, they had a distribution agreement with Paramount for Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. A recent report from The Wrap revealed that Universal still holds the rights to both Hulk and Namor, placing limitations on their use in the MCU. A consistently evolving entertainment industry landscape where Marvel is the biggest game in town means the only certainty is that one can never say never. These movies are full of action, adventure, comedy, and drama, and they always leave audiences wanting more. If, or when, Universal chooses to forgo distribution, Disney will immediately pick up those distribution rights for a solo Hulk movie. A cunning warrior, the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a good friend. At least that would give Namor the freedom Hulk never had. Doctor Doom and the Green Goblin are also on hand. 2003-2023 Best Little Sites, LLC. 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. There are numerous characters from films and TV shows that are based on Universal Studios properties. Avengers simulator rides are permitted in certain legal zones in other countries. Apparently, the original deal for his rights stated they reverted to Marvel 15 years after the release of the latest film. While Disney and Marvel hold the rights to develop films starring The Hulk, the companies announced an agreement with Universal and Marvel in June 2008 to distribute The Incredible Hulk. According to a 2008 SEC filing, Universal has the authority to hold Hulk for up to 15 years, which expires in June 2023. 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. This, therefore, means that the futures of both characters still rest on Universal. Star-Lord from The Guardians of the Galaxy and Gamora from Doctor Strange are two of the Marvel characters that we know and love, and both will appear in Disneys Hollywood Studios in the near future. So, while Disney owns the rights to the characters Namor and the Hulk, Marvel's pre-existing deal with Universal locks down the distribution rights, possibly in perpetuity. It has over 6,000 characters and is one of the worlds most valuable comic book franchises. Besides Hulk, Namor, and Spider-Man, Disney owns the rights to almost every single character in Marvel Comics. Disney intends to regain distribution rights to the character within 15 years, according to the 15-year period. ", The aforementioned SEC deal with Paramount notes its distribution agreement "for an initial period of 15 years commencing on the initial Theatrical Exhibition of such Picture:", "6. It is not possible to create Marvel-based versions of Universal characters.

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