Since the Marvel movies, Disney has earned more money from them than Universal. 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. Own It Now on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital. } About | If for some reason Universal chose to forgo distribution, then Disney would immediately pick up the distribution rights for the Hulk movie. 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. So, while they can't do anything active with the rights, should Marvel decide to make a Hulk movie Universal must be approached first. However, these SEC filings may be the strongest evidence yet that the rights will be changing hands next year. All logos and images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies. This, therefore, means that the futures of both characters still rest on Universal. They do own the distribution rights for Incredible Hulk (2008), currently, but not necessarily to Hulk as a franchise. Under the licensing arrangement for Spider-Man, the Company pays the third-party studio a licensing fee based on each films box office receipts, subject to specified limits. Disney paid $4 billion in 2009 for Marvel Entertainment, making it the largest acquisition in history. Marvel Super Hero Island, a massive Marvel-themed attraction at Universal Orlando, is one of the many attractions in the park. College of the Canyons - 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California, USA. 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. These parks feature rides of the highest quality, in addition to Marvel movies long history with them. This may come as a shock to new age readers but no, Marvel Studios does not actually have the movie rights to The Hulk. Universal Pictures has the rights to produce and distribute a Hulk movie under a deal it struck with Marvel. Disney (DIS) might let go of Hulu in favor of the Hulk, at least according to one media analyst. Yes, you read that right! All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. The film audience for the title didn't grow between movies, which is seen as a bad sign. 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. However, it was not until the release of the first Iron Man movie in 2008 that the Marvel Cinematic Universe was truly born. The Many Reasons Why Superman Never Gives Up. 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. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Advertise, Funny Superhero (DC & Marvel) Shirts & Stickers. If you have never seen a Marvel movie, I highly recommend you check one out. Price: US $499.99. Despite the success of the Phase 4 and 5 releases, there are still plenty of opportunities for Marvel Studios to release movies in Phase 6 and beyond. })(); 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. acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, Laal Singh Chaddha (2022): The Disastrous Adaptation of Tom Hanks Forrest Gump, Spidey And His Amazing Friends Season Premier at Battery Park, Ryan Cooglers Thank You Letter To Fans Is Making Me Emotional All Over Again. For now, Marvel and Disney think the character works better as part of an ensemble. 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. Universal has the first refusal opportunityto distribute the project, Disney may have regained the rights but have yet to be supported by anything definitive, but there are still plenty of release opportunities left in Phase 6 and beyond, Spider-Verse 2 Reportedly Includes Major MCU Phase 4 Reference, Andor Season 2 Director Just Deleted This New Set Photo After Sharing Online, Avatar 3: Disney Is Secretly Teasing Sequels New Characters, Robert Pattinsons Batman Universe Just Recast 1 Gotham Character, The Mandalorian Season 3: Episode 2's Longer Runtime Revealed In Advance, Ant-Man 3: Quantumania's Post-Credits Scenes Count Confirmed, Michael B. Jordan Shares Blunt Response to Black Superman Casting Rumors, Daredevil Actors Hit the Gym for Disney+ Reboot (Photos), Ant-Man 3 Writer Refuses to Listen to Fans Criticizing MODOK: 'They're Wrong', Ant-Man 3's Disappointing Reviews: Kang Actor Breaks Silence on Negative Reaction. Like Thanos, Marvel did it themselves by starting a film production company. 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. Played by Tenoch Huerta, this interpretation is a massive hit with fans, both diehards and those unfamiliar with Namor. 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. Ended: Feb 21, 2023. As part of any such package, the House of Mouse stands a chance tofinallyregain two key Marvel franchises. Its speculated that either storyline would cost over $200 million. If, or when, Universal chooses to forgo distribution, Disney will immediately pick up those distribution rights for a solo Hulk movie. 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. 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. Home | In 2009, the CEO of Disney acknowledged the importance of Marvels intellectual property rights when Disney purchased Marvel. Best Little Sites is not liable for inaccuracies, errors, or omissions found herein. A sale that adds $13 to each of those puts roughly an extra $6.5 million in his pocket! In 2018, Disney generated $20.3 billion in revenue, while Universal Theme Parks generated $5.7 billion. It is not possible to create Marvel-based versions of Universal characters. The Hulk deal between Marvel and Universal is explained in-depth, with no standalone movie planned for the immediate future. } Superman & Lois: The Third Seasons Villains Revealed! The company could be waiting for Universal to terminate before making a decision on their future. Disney intends to regain distribution rights to the character within 15 years, according to the 15-year period. 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). Well, unfortunately, probably not. The Reddit User then looked at the original Paramount deal which states that the deal is only good for 15 years after each picture. There are also Marvel villains such as Doctor Doom and the Green Goblin. Back then, Marvel Entertainment were an independent company and so the Studios operated as just production, working with outside distributors. 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. She-Hulk will premiere on Disney+ in 2022. He once asked Tom Cruise about his supposedly fake-butt in Valkyrie (he swore it was all real). Back in April, Mark Ruffalo made the somewhat startling revelation that a standalone Hulk movie may not happen anytime in the near future because Universal still owns the rights for a standalone sequel to their 2003 Hulk movie and the 2008 follow-up The Incredible Hulk. Could this change? Since 2008, Marvel Studios has also acquired the rights to Ghost Rider, Blade, Daredevil, and a slew of others. 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. Namor can be used in the same manner as the Hulk in the MCU, namely as part of an ensemble, antagonistic role, or cameo. Especially if Marvel and Disney go the Planet Hulk route. New evidence posted to Reddit seems to indicate that Universals Hulk distribution agreement could end in June of 2023. Based out of North East England, Lewis has a deep passion for all kinds of media that began at a young age. } 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. Hulk movies are not proven at best, unpopular at worst. Despite the fact that Marvel is housed at Universal Studios, it is not a part of the park. Both Planet Hulk and the long rumored World War Hulk would be incredibly expensive to pull off on the big screen the right way. For those who don't know, the film rights to everyone's favorite big, green, rage monster are complicated. By Matt McGloin / Saturday, January 12, 2019 - 2:04AM. Disneys contract with Universal likely expires in a few years, so the company will most likely build their own Marvel-themed park. Condition: New. These movies are full of action, adventure, comedy, and drama, and they always leave audiences wanting more. 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). 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 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. Its known that Marvel Chairman Ike Perlmutter had the Fox-Marvel characters killed off in the comics (Fantastic Four, Wolverine, etc.) 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). Lewis Glazebrook is a Senior Features writer for Screen Rant. Paramount also distributed the first Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor. 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. You can visit Forbes for an even more in-depth account of what is going on with this Marvel title. 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? Universal owns distribution rights, which means they have the right of "first refusal" to any Hulk film. 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. 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. 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. 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. Still, Marvel Studios has plenty of options to get around this deal, some of which fans have already seen. RELATED:MODOK Trends with Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon'. Marvel Studios finally explains its Hulk movie deal with Universal Pictures and how it affects the character's role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Based in London, he oversees a global news & features team based in NY, LA and beyond. With a budget of $8.25 million, the film has the lowest budget of any Marvel film. 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. After Ang Lee's regrettable Hulk film in 2003, Universal agreed to let Marvel Studios make the next picture, distributing The Incredible Hulk. Thor: Ragnarok is the MCU's way of getting around making a proper Hulk movie, but why actually can't Marvel make a standalone for Bruce Banner? 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. Children 40-48 inches (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion (14 years or older). callback: cb 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. The Incredible Hulk Coaster. 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.) 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. Disney and Marvel still hold the rights to develop movies starring the Hulk, but Universal has the first refusal opportunityto distribute the project and takes a significant chunk of the profits. 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. RELATED: Why Were the Hulk's Pants Always Purple? What makes Marvel movies so special is that they are able to appeal to a wide range of people. The Security and Exchange Commission filing from 2008 allows Universal to hold Hulk movie rights for 15 years, which would expire June 2023. Those who own physical media copies of those early Marvel films will know both Paramount and Universal distributed those films. (function() { But with Comcast's NBCUniversal controlling the two superheroes' distribution rights, Bazinet suggested a deal could be in the offing. The first installment of his superhero fiction book, TALES OF ADVENTURE & FANTASY, is available on Amazon in print and ebook! Will a solo movie happen anytime soon? According to evidence shared on Reddit by u/vidoardes, Disney is in a position to regain distribution rights to the Hulk in 2023. In short, Marvel signed a contract with MCA Inc., which owned the Universal Studios theme parks at the time, before Disney acquired it. The Incredible Hulk - Owned By Universal. So, any Hulk or Namor solo film would become the property of Universal. The rights to both characters are currently tangled up with Universal. Disneys purchase of Marvel in 2009 had a big impact on Universal Studios. Disney has the ability to use this property in a variety of ways, including making new movies, TV shows, and games. Also, given that Namor can be used as part of an ensemble, the character could make appearances in upcoming films like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty or Avengers: Secret Wars alongside the likely inclusion of Hulk in both. The final reason given for no solo Hulk movie anytime in the near future is that it will cost a lot of money. But that doesn't mean a solo movie won't ever happen. If Hulu is sold, Disney may use this as an opportunity to secure these distribution rights.". Im Joel Watson and Im a content manager at veryaware.com, an entertainment website. Planet Hulk could be as close as 2021.The real question is, are you willing to wait that long? Captain America: Civil War takes place six decades before the Marvel Cinematic Universe debuted. 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. Since Hulk came out in June of 2008 this means that the agreement could end in June of 2023. Many fans have been wondering if this is true, and what is going on with the rights between Universal and Marvel. Is the Disney+ MCU Cutting Into Marvel Studios' Box Office Performance? The deal between Universal and Disney is iron clad; however, it may have a time limit. 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. based on the reaction to the character since The Avengers, it's working. However, it is clear that Universal still holds the rights to several important Marvel characters. 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. { Home Movie News Hulk Movie Rights Still At Universal. That means more production time and higher costs with the extensive effects necessary. 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. 7 Fantastic Animes You Need to be Watching Right Now. 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. Copyright | Because it was the studios risky two-picture strategy, landing Iron Man was regarded as a personal sacrifice. If, or when, Universal chooses to forgo distribution, Disney will immediately pick up those distribution rights for a solo Hulk movie. Besides Hulk, Namor, and Spider-Man, Disney owns the rights to almost every single character in Marvel Comics. event : evt, Before the days of the MCU, the characters from the many Marvel Comics were almost shared out among other Hollywood studios. Is Superman Gay? ComicBookMovie.com is a registered trademark and has been officially registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Disney purchased Marvel Universal to ensure the continuation of their partnership. There is a chance that Marvel will lose the rights to major characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Widow, and others in the near future due to their copyright expirations. 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. 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. Moreover, Marvel has made a deal with Sony that allows them Spider-Man to exist in the MCU. The company obtained film rights, intellectual property, and a production company in addition to Marvel movie rights. Phase three of the film series will begin with Captain America: Civil War, followed by Doctor Strange (2016) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 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. In addition to Marvels Super Hero Island, Universal Studios has not provided any updates on the future of the park, but as a result of the recent closure and removal of Shrek 4-D from Universal Studios Orlando, Universal is repositioning attractions as flagship rides for Guests. Prior to Disney acquiring Marvel, they had a distribution agreement with Paramount for Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. This may come as a disappointment to many, who wish for a Namor solo film after his fantastic debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Transformers: The Ride-3D: Must be 40 inches (102 cm) tall. The opportunity to expand on Disneys involvement in the Marvel universe is one of the most promising things to come. Its been more than a decade since fans first saw The Incredible Hulk sequel starring Mark Ruffalo. If it does, that means that NBC or Peacock would have first right of refusal for a TV series with either character in the lead role. 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. Its just not a smart move. It's well known that characters' movie rights have a big influence on the Marvel films made. Hulk in particular is a character that has suffered a bit because Universal owns the movie rights. 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. As such, if Disney makes a Hulk or Namor film, Comcast can distribute the film on Peacock. It is not possible for Disney or Universal to use the Marvel name in their parks because they have a long-term agreement. While the Hulk has existed in live-action since the late 1970s, Namor only recently made his debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Trademark | In addition to Disney and Marvel, Universal has the first right to distribute the Hulk movies. 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. Universal Orlando Resort. Disney CEO Bob Iger assured shareholders in 2009 that Marvels acquisition would not be jeopardized. A password reset link will be sent to you by email. Over the past few years, Marvel Studios has set out to acquire most of the rights to Marvel Comics characters. 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. Forbes has a new report explaining the movie rights shared between the two studios, and what it means for a standalone sequel with Hulk at the center. While both are highly expected to be important to the MCU's future, they will only be able to be used in the way Hulk has been thus far. Father, veteran, and storyteller. AsThe Incredible Hulkhit theaters in June 2008, the 15-year period indicates Disney will regain distribution rights to the character in June 2023, at which point Marvel Studios would be able to begin production on a Hulk movie that Disney themselves would distribute. Things getcomplicated here as The Wrap's report begins getting into the financial complications such a deal would involve. Beyond opening the doors to Hulk taking on a bigger role, Marvel Studios may finally be able to give Namor his own solo movie. Obviously, that makes their usage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe all the more tricky. Dragon Ball Z Characters Who Could Defeat Superman. Disney and Marvel made Iron Man 2 with Paramount distributing the movie. 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.