When Marvel first launched its Cinematic Universe, it did so without the rights to many of its biggest characters, the comic book giant having previously signed a number of deals with various studios before deciding to go at it alone.
Since then, we’ve seen the rights to many reverting back to Marvel Studios (see Daredevil, Blade, Ghost Rider, The Punisher…), while a deal with Sony allowed Marvel to incorporate Spider-Man into the MCU, and last year’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney also brought the X-Men and the Fantastic Four back into the fold.
Barring Spider-Man, the only other IPs not entirely under the control of Marvel Studios at this point are The Hulk and Namor the Sub-Mariner, with Universal Pictures controlling the distribution rights to both characters (Marvel and Universal teamed up for 2008’s The Incredible Hulk).
Well, if a new rumour is to be believed, it seems that may no longer be the case, as MCU Cosmic is claiming that: “I’ve heard from someone very reliable that Marvel has gained full control of Hulk (and Namor) so those pesky distribution hurdles no longer exist.”
Whether there’s any truth to this report or not, we shall have to wait and see, but if it is accurate then there would be nothing stopping Marvel from producing new solo movies based around either character – and it may also explain why Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige recently invited Mark Ruffalo to suggest ideas for future stories for the Hulk.
