Fox, Sony, and Universal have latched onto various Marvel characters, which has caused Marvel Studios to struggle with rights issues since the launch of the MCU. This all harkens back to a time when Marvel was in financial trouble and was selling the movie rights to the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, and Namor.
Two MCU superheroes still have their licenses secured at Universal, despite Marvel Studios resolving many of its rights disputes through its Sony deal and Fox acquisition.
Official information regarding Universal’s current Marvel rights status has been made available to the public, indicating that two Marvel characters unfortunately continue to elude Disney and Marvel Studios and prevent them from working on specific projects.
Hulk and Namor are still owned by Universal
Hulk and Namor
According to a recent report, the use of Hulk and Namor in the MCU is restricted as Universal still owns the rights to them. According to Marvel Studios head Nate Moore, who made the reveal in reports, for Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverthe character was to be “borrowed”, just like the Hulk has done in the past.
The MCU would not include Namor because Universal owned the rights, according to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige’s 2013 announcement. However, by 2018, the MCU president had changed his mind and expressed his belief that “there’s probably a way to fix it” to allow the seafaring antihero to join the MCU.
Similar complications with the Hulk have plagued Marvel Studios as a whole, as Universal has barred him from appearing in their own movie or TV series since 2008’s Universal-released The Incredible Hulk.
How a standalone Namor or Hulk project would go
World War Hulk and Namor movie
Marvel Studios could create a standalone movie name or its rumor world war hulk movie. Disney, however, would not be allowed to distribute it; instead, Universal would be responsible for doing so. Universal would then be entitled to a portion of the revenue, giving Kevin Feige and company plenty of reasons not to care.
However, Feige only hinted at the idea of Namor getting his own solo project last month, saying it would depend on how Wakanda Forever is received. In light of claims that the studio is already committed to a Hulk project, it’s possible the studio is close to acquiring the rights.
