Universal and Marvel reached an agreement in 2008 for the former to distributeThe Incredible Hulkwhich starred Edward Norton as Bruce Banner before he was recast with Mark Ruffalo forThe Avengers. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. The best course of action for Universal is to renew the contract for another 15 years and keep everything running smoothly. I'm Joel Watson and I'm a content manager at veryaware.com, an entertainment website. Owns a dog who loves watching Milo and Otis on repeat. The movie rights of Hulk have always been dynamic unlike the character rights of the other superheroes. The most notable example of a theme park operator holding Marvel theme park rights is Universal Parks & Resorts, which operates two theme parks with Marvel-themed attractions: Universal Studios Florida and Universals Islands of Adventure. Site Map | Disneys $71 billion purchase of 21st Century Fox in March 2019 is the largest acquisition in history. This is why Marvel Studios are unlikely to release a solo film for either character anytime soon, as they would not have full control over the distribution of their own film. Beyond opening the doors to Hulk taking on a bigger role, Marvel Studios may finally be able to give Namor his own solo movie. The original agreement on file with the SEC states that Universal Studios has agreed to distribute Marvels film The Incredible Hulk and subsequent sequels on the same terms as those on which Paramount has agreed to distribute the other films. While The Incredible Hulk did perform well on the home video market, it wasn't enough to cover marketing costs. It is exciting to speculate on what an Marvel-themed park at Disney World would look like. If for some reason Universal chose to forgo distribution, then Disney would immediately pick up the distribution rights for the Hulk movie. 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. Best Little Sites is not liable for inaccuracies, errors, or omissions found herein. The answer, it seems, dates back about 13 years to the start of the Disney and Marvel Studios relationship. 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. If Hulu is sold, Disney may use this as an opportunity to secure these distribution rights.". 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. In addition to Disney and Marvel, Universal has the first right to distribute the Hulk movies. Hulk is Jekyll and Hyde where Hyde is typically mindless. The final reason given for no solo Hulk movie anytime in the near future is that it will cost a lot of money. based on the reaction to the character since The Avengers, it's working. Prior to Disney acquiring Marvel, they had a distribution agreement with Paramount for Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. Copyright 2020 The Direct Media Group LLC. The past box office for these films does not justify that as a solid business plan. Copyright 2023 Cosmic Book News | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | About Us | Contact Us | Movies | Comics | TV | Gaming | News | Reviews | Web Stories | Search, MODOK Trends with Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon', The Marvel's Release Date Pushed Back To November, Justice League and DC Sold To Netflix? listeners: [], 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. 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. Reddit useru/vidoardesshared evidence that indicates Disney may regain the distribution rights to the Hulk in June 2023, allowing them to produce a new solo movie based on the green Avenger. Both Namor and the Incredible Hulk are characters Disney owns the rights to use in stories, films or television. "While Disney owns all Marvel IP, Universal has distribution rights to Hulk and Namor," the analyst wrote. Just because he's a supporting character, though, doesn't mean Hulk is being underserved. Besides Hulk, Namor, and Spider-Man, Disney owns the rights to almost every single character in Marvel Comics. A recent rumor has suggested that the solo film rights to the Hulk may be returning to Marvel Studios in 2023! "We believe Disney may sell its 67% stake in Hulu," Citi analyst Jason Bazinet wrote in a new note . Ruffalo explained the situation in a new interview with Collider: "As far as a Hulk movie, a standalone Hulk movie, Marvel doesn't really have the rights to that yet. Disneys purchase of Marvel in 2009 had a big impact on Universal Studios. Avengers simulator rides are permitted in certain legal zones in other countries. Its been more than a decade since fans first saw The Incredible Hulk sequel starring Mark Ruffalo. Namor can be used in the same manner as the Hulk in the MCU, namely as part of an ensemble, antagonistic role, or cameo. This may come as a disappointment to many, who wish for a Namor solo film after his fantastic debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 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. Since then, there have been 22 movies released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with more planned for the future. 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. There hasnt been a Hulk solo movie since 2008, which is because the film rights are tied up with Universal Pictures. This situation is very similar to that of another longstanding MCU character: the Hulk. Under the licensing arrangements for The Fantastic Four and X-Men, the third-party studio pays the Company a licensing fee and receives a share of the Companys merchandise revenue on these properties. Namor will make his MCU debut inBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwhich hits theaters on November 11. 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? 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. Warning: This article contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The Hulk deal between Marvel and Universal is explained in-depth, with no standalone movie planned for the immediate future. Spider-Man remains a huge part of the MCU and Namor will appear in the upcoming film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 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 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. So, while they can't do anything active with the rights, should Marvel decide to make a Hulk movie Universal must be approached first. The Marvel brand is not permitted by Disney to be used in the licensing of Marvel content to U.S. theme parks. At least that would give Namor the freedom Hulk never had. All logos and images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies. Screen Rant's Managing Editor, Alex Leadbeater has been covering film online since 2012 and been a permanent fixture of SR since 2016. Universal was the first studio to release a Marvel movie, with the 2003 film Hulk. Im Joel Watson and Im a content manager at veryaware.com, an entertainment website. Big changes have been taking place behind the scenes at Disney ever since Bob Iger returned as CEO, with one popular theory being that the company will sell its 67% stake in Hulu. 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');". The Hulk. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and of course - Netflix and chill! 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. No, Universal does not own any Marvel characters. Is Superman Gay? The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Related: Black Panther 2 Repeats An Infinity War Trick To Make Namor More Powerful. Ruffalo is now playing Bruce Banner/Hulk in the She-Hulk TV series, which is allowed under Marvel's deal with Universal since it's not a standalone Hulk project. Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger have all been acquired by Marvel Studios from Paramount. The future of both the Hulk and Namor rest solely on Universal. This category includes She Hulk as well. The Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios are now open, and Marvels Super Hero Island is available there. 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. As the Fox-Disney deal goes to completion and Marvel Studios versions of the Fantastic Four and X-Men movies are released, Disney will now get all the revenue from merchandise and doesnt have to share with Fox. For the Fantastic Four and X-Men, Fox pays Disney a licensing fee and receives a share of Disneys merchandise revenue on these properties. 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. 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. The Security and Exchange Commission filing from 2008 allows Universal to hold Hulk movie rights for 15 years, which would expire June 2023. The actual Hulk character had limited screen time in the first two standalone movies, with Bruce Banner involved in much of the action. The attractions at Universal Studios Florida, such as Harry Potter and Jurassic World, are already doing this. { Since 2008, Marvel Studios has also acquired the rights to Ghost Rider, Blade, Daredevil, and a slew of others.