On September 23, 2003, a 34-year-old woman . Especially if Marvel and Disney go the Planet Hulk route. Despite never getting a sequel, the character has remained a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 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"). Disney has the option to produce and distribute any future Marvel movies that it acquires as a result of its Marvel movie rights. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. The Marvel Cinematic Universe's relationship with the Incredible Hulk has been relatively awkward since the film was released in 2008. All of that makes a Hulk movie a tricky prospect. It is exciting to speculate on what an Marvel-themed park at Disney World would look like. Privacy | This makes it so that Namor can only be used in the MCU similar to how Hulk has been since 2008, something that may come as a disappointment to many. Similarly, with Namor, Marvel could make a TV series focused on Talokan, where the character appears but is not the protagonist. The Incredible Hulk barely improved on that half a decade later, making $263M in a year when Iron Man brought in $585M and The Dark Knight topped $1B (this was when hitting that mark was a major achievement). The scrappy little movie company led by Kevin Feige could make movies, but it had no way to get them into theaters. To say Marvel Studios is unlikely to work with Universal to distribute a solo MCU film might be stating the obvious. 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. For the Fantastic Four and X-Men, Fox pays Disney a licensing fee and receives a share of Disneys merchandise revenue on these properties. All Rights Reserved. and not used in merchandise, licensing or video games because Fox owned the characters. Spider-Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, and Rogue are just a few of the Marvel heroes and villains you can meet at the theme park. Children 40-48 inches (102-122 cm) must be . And Marvel/Disney have recently entered an agreement to partner with Sony on a new Spider-Man reboot that will be distributed by Sony Pictures. The ensembles allow the character to show his strengths, and not focus on the weaknesses that would come out in a movie devoted solely to Hulk. The relationship between Marvel and Universal is complicated, to say the least. Condition: New. 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. That may not seem like a big deal, but for investors, it sure would be. If, or when, Universal chooses to forgo distribution, Disney will immediately pick up those distribution rights for a solo Hulk movie. Now Lewis spends his time watching endless amounts of film and TV, gaming, and reading, all to further his work as a Screen Rant Features Writer as he tries to widen his knowledge to write about all aspects of film and TV. Besides Hulk, Namor, and Spider-Man, Disney owns the rights to almost every single character in Marvel Comics. Like Thanos, Marvel did it themselves by starting a film production company. The rights to both characters are currently tangled up with Universal. "While Disney owns all Marvel IP, Universal has distribution rights to Hulk and Namor," the analyst wrote. 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. 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 Company distributes all Marvel-produced films with the exception of The Incredible Hulk, which is distributed by Universal Pictures. Could this change? 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. Universal Pictures has the rights to produce and distribute a Hulk movie under a deal it struck with Marvel. Since Hulk came out in June of 2008 this means that the agreement could end in June of 2023. 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). Iger, for example, is thought to own 500,000 Disney shares. 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. 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. 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. A new Hulk movie would have to be given over to the Green Goliath, with the story revolving around an entirely CGI Hulk. 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. 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. 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. You can visit Forbes for an even more in-depth account of what is going on with this Marvel title. 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. Back then, Marvel Entertainment were an independent company and so the Studios operated as just production, working with outside distributors. 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. If for some reason Universal chose to forgo distribution, then Disney would immediately pick up the distribution rights for the Hulk movie. VeryAware document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); Is Superman Gay? Hulk has been a member of the MCU for over a decade. 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. There has been speculation about a Marvel-themed park at Disney in the past, but nothing has come to fruition. How much did Disney get for Marvel? It is also noted that if Marvel and Disney really wanted to make a new Hulk movie, they would buy the distribution rights from Universal, or cut some sort of new deal with Universal, or just release it through Universal as they have done with other studios in the past. But if Disney can partner with Sony for Spider-Man and buy 20th Century Fox outright for the Fantastic Four and the mutants, why can't it and Universal get their acts together? 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. Just because he's a supporting character, though, doesn't mean Hulk is being underserved. When the Mouse bought Marvel, Disney and Universal went to war in the courts in order to free up not just film distribution rights but Marvel characters appearing in Universal's Orlando theme park. Rumors have previously spread to suggest Disney may have regained the rights but have yet to be supported by anything definitive. . As such, if Disney makes a Hulk or Namor film, Comcast can distribute the film on Peacock. Marvel has been trying to get the rights to these characters back for years, but has had little success. Post-Homecoming, anything's possible. These movies are full of action, adventure, comedy, and drama, and they always leave audiences wanting more. This was evident in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with Namor being used as the villain of that film. 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. Marvel's rights are a complicated affair as the character's distribution rights belong to Universal. They have made great strides to do so and have been very successful in that regard. And 2003's Hulk only made $245 million. Namor will make his MCU debut inBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwhich hits theaters on November 11. Before the days of the MCU, the characters from the many Marvel Comics were almost shared out among other Hollywood studios. It has over 6,000 characters and is one of the worlds most valuable comic book franchises. 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. Those of you who are Disney fans will be perplexed as to why there are no Marvel-themed rides at Walt Disney World, particularly since Disneylands Avengers Campus is a huge hit. The Reddit User then looked at the original Paramount deal which states that the deal is only good for 15 years after each picture. The outlet added a comment from Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore who revealed the character had to be "borrowed" for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, just like the Hulk has been. This follows how Hulk has been utilized in the MCU. Disney intends to regain distribution rights to the character within 15 years, according to the 15-year period. However, the two studios have had a strained relationship since then. . This is similar to how Namor can be used in the future. Published Nov 30, 2022 Marvel confirmed rights involving Hulk and Namor are still with Universal, meaning the Disney-owned characters will probably never get solo movies. There are numerous characters from films and TV shows that are based on Universal Studios properties. We also see why Disney never created any merchandise for the Fox Studios Marvel movies as they didnt want Fox getting a share of the revenue. Yet, the same would've been said about the Sony and Disney partnership before it happened. Although his comics have never really sold well - the original run was canceled after only six issues, with the character only surviving thanks to his Avengers association - Hulk is one Marvel's biggest icons, thanks in no small part to the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno The Incredible Hulk TV series. Citi analyst Jason Bazinet explains, "While Disney owns all Marvel IP, Universal has distribution rights to Hulk and Namor. With Marvel producer Nate Moore recently revealing that both still belong to Universal, it is unclear whether these rumors held any merit. in a statement, a spokesperson for Universal Studios Hollywood said the park experienced a "brief power dip which resulted in exiting guests from some attractions", due to a "power interruption" from the utility Southern California Edison. Universal was the first studio to release a Marvel movie, with the 2003 film Hulk. 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.. Disney will only own Marvels parks if it acquires the rights to them from Universal. It would be a unique experience. RELATED:MODOK Trends with Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon'. 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. listeners: [], 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. And both films failed to break even against their budget. Since the Marvel movies, Disney has earned more money from them than Universal. So what does this mean for The Hulk and his future in the MCU? Universal Studios Hollywood Height Requirements - 40 Inches or Taller. Apex Legends vs Fornite which is better? Universal Orlando Resort. } 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. "As such, if Disney makes a Hulk or Namor film, Comcast can distribute the film on . In 2021, Lewis graduated from university with a Film and TV Studies degree, earning First Class Honours. About | It really all comes down to contracts. (The Culver Institue Laboratory) 2 of 2 found this interesting. 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. Either party may terminate the contract; however, Marvel must have a legitimate, legal reason to why the contract is void (poor upkeep, not upholding the quality of the IP, etc.) Some people prefer action movies, while others might prefer comedies or dramas. The actual Hulk character had limited screen time in the first two standalone movies, with Bruce Banner involved in much of the action. Right now, we're still years away from that happening. Marvel Entertainments acquisition by Universal is a significant acquisition for the company because it enters a highly competitive market for comic books and movies. 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. According to Broussard, the Incredible Hulk was the clear winner when it came to placing second. There may be a more antagonistic side to this as well. 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. 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. Disney (DIS) might let go of Hulu in favor of the Hulk, at least according to one media analyst. The Controversial Comic Book Reveal, 5 Superhero Games You Should Download Today. However, unlike most other reacquisitions where the creator gets the character back outright, with Hulk Universal still has a clause - seemingly in perpetuity - of first refusal on distributing any Hulk films. 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. 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. How To Improve Netflix Viewing Experience, How Grand Theft Auto Became one of the Most Popular Brands Ever, Ranking Our Favourite Episodes of Extreme Home Makeover. Fans of Marvel Comics' history know that the effort to get its characters on TV and into the movies was decades in the making and pioneered by Stan Lee. Transformers: The Ride-3D: Must be 40 inches (102 cm) tall. There appears to . I guarantee you will not be disappointed. 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. From Spider-Man and the X-Men to Iron Man and Captain America, the Marvel Universe is full of super-powered heroes and villains. While the Hulk has existed in live-action since the late 1970s, Namor only recently made his debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The rights to any film starring Hulk or Namor in a leading role are currently owned by Universal. 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. However, if Disney decided against buying out Comcast's 33% stake, then that company might choose to acquire the entire service. Obviously, that makes their usage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe all the more tricky. The past box office for these films does not justify that as a solid business plan. Universal currently holds the rights to several Marvel characters, including the Hulk, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Incredible Hulk. Ended: Feb 21, 2023. The Many Reasons Why Superman Never Gives Up. The company obtained film rights, intellectual property, and a production company in addition to Marvel movie rights. You may have also seen/heard him on the Total Geekall podcast, unaffiliated YouTube channels, BBC Radio and CBC News. 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. 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. Member of the Marvel Studios brain trust Nate Moore revealed Namor's rights are, just like the Hulk's, tied up with a pre-Disney distribution deal with Universal. This situation is very similar to that of another longstanding MCU character: the Hulk. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: Must be 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Marvel Studios and Universal Pictures have had a long and complicated relationship. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, Why Marvel's Complex Namor & Hulk Rights Mean They'll Never Get Solo Movies. See original listing. Sure, anything could happen if the deal ends, but whats most likely is they just renew the deal.