Marvel Studios update

[TheVileOne]

Just call me The Vile Blade's Shades Advanced Dark One. Sorry Advanced Dark, where ever you might be. Also sorry if this was already posted.

Some new information on a few upcoming Marvel movies was released during Marvel Entertainment's Q2 earnings conference call this week.

When asked about Spider-Man 4's potential May 2011 release conflicting with the planned May 6th, 2011 release of Captain America, Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel said the following.

"We always have a lot of options now that we control green light and our destiny with these films. Obviously we can't respond to hypotheticals and what we would do with various either competitive moves or partner moves, like Sony with Spider-Man. So at this point, I'd just have to say once a move like that happens, we'll obviously let our response be made publicly but it wouldn't be constructive to respond to a hypothetical."

Marvel also confirmed that they have already gotten a $5 million advance from Sony for Spider-Man 4.

Marvel also said that at this point, Paramount is set to distribute only Iron Man 2. That means that Universal, Sony, 20th Century Fox, and Lionsgate are all in the running for films like Captain America, The Avengers, and Thor. Warner Bros. is not considering due to their deal with DC Comics.

Credit: IGN.com

Well here's one thing. Spider-man 4 really only has a hypothetical release date at this point. And if hypothetically it was in May, they would probably have to figure out a move.

Very interesting that Paramount is only on Iron Man 2 at this point. I thought other than the Hulk, everything else was being distributed by Paramount. I say no to Fox and Lionsgate though. Fox for obvious reasons. Lionsgate because well they don't distribute stuff as big as these movies that do as huge. I say Paramount did the best job on Iron Man, so stick with them for now. I'm sure they love the business deal.

 

[Sawyer]

That sounds extraordinarily bad.

I thought that Paramount was behind all the stuff like Iron Man, Captain America, The Avengers so that it would be all in one universe, and we wouldnt have a bunch of a-holes (Fox) screwing it up... or am I mistaken?

 

[SPIDERMAN117]

I hope Universal gets them all

Fox = Fail

Lionsgate = Not good enough

Sony = maybe but all they got is SM1/SM2

 

[TheVileOne]

Why Universal? I don't think they did such a great job in pushing Incredible Hulk.

 

[SPIDERMAN117]

You know you have a point there but who would you want?

 

[TheVileOne]

I already said so, my choice would be Paramount. And I thought it was Paramount who the distribution deal was set up, but I guess all of that was mis-information.

Now I don't want to say that Fox can't distribute or market a movie. Because they can, and they can get big money out of it. But I just don't want any of these new movies to have their name on it quite honestly. Call it selfish and irrational .

 

[Chewy]

That sounds extraordinarily bad.

I thought that Paramount was behind all the stuff like Iron Man, Captain America, The Avengers so that it would be all in one universe, and we wouldnt have a bunch of a-holes (Fox) screwing it up... or am I mistaken?

This is just distribution/marketing.

Like the difference b/w Paramount distributing IM and Universal distributing TIH.

Also, I thought Paramount automatically got any films based on Cap/Nick Fury as a clause in their agreement. Can anyone confirm that?

 

[SPIDERMAN117]

Yah same here I really did want Paramont because they can sell a film for what it is. But yah who wants fox underr there name. The only reason I say Universal is because then it would be 2 companies distrubting the films

Paramont and Universal

 

[Sawyer]

I just have the feeling that if Marvel goes with Fox, they'll end up getting screwed up the ass.

 

[TheVileOne]

The thing is, I mean these are MARVEL'S movies. There's no relation with the X films and FF unfortunately. So I think that putting them in with Fox would confuse people. Since for now they can't cross-promote or brand the movies, they need to continue keeping them separate.

 

[DBZ2cool]

You guys are fools.

Marvel is making all these films on their own so really any studio who is interested can market/distribute. I am all for fox marketing/distributing marvel flicks because they are awesome at marketing those kind of movies.

 

[DBZ2cool]

I just have the feeling that if Marvel goes with Fox, they'll end up getting screwed up the ass.

What the hell?

Do you have any idea what you talking about? Marvel has full control on the films they actually make aka editing, sfx, etc. Even if they decide to go with fox for marketing/distributing their films it won't affect the actual quality of movie because fox will have zero right to say anything during production, post production etc.

 

[TheVileOne]

Fox could still screw up or fail on the marketing, distribution of the movie.

Their push of the first X-men film in particular was pathetic. They set it up to fail. They expected it to fail.

 

[KangConquers]

This distribution deal can actually be used as a strategic manuever to occupy Fox and Sony...think about it.

You sell Sony the distribution rights to Cap. Suddenly, Sony has a stake in that movies future, and no longer puts Spider-Man up against it competitively.

It's not dumb, it's actually a brilliant marketing plan to prevent them getting killed by their own sword so to speak.

 

[ord0g]

Fox could still screw up or fail on the marketing, distribution of the movie.

Exactly, Marvel needs to be able to control the marketing push to the public whichever distributor they engage. If it's out of their hands then they'll end up with a marketing plan like The Hulk did this year.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

So if Sony paid Marvel that 5 mil, is it safe to assume SM4 is ready to roll, and casting/director/producer has all been finalized, or what?

 

[The Major]

This distribution deal can actually be used as a strategic manuever to occupy Fox and Sony...think about it.

You sell Sony the distribution rights to Cap. Suddenly, Sony has a stake in that movies future, and no longer puts Spider-Man up against it competitively.

It's not dumb, it's actually a brilliant marketing plan to prevent them getting killed by their own sword so to speak.

Works in theory sucks in practice.

Fox could consider tanking those films a good business move to take out Marvel's movies so they aren't a threat to their own films. They'd lose money but it would be a sacrifice they'd be willing to take since they could get more money with their own films without worrying about Marvel's interfering with their bottom line. It's "just business".

 

[TheVileOne]

But honestly, I don't think Sony in the end will want Cap and/or Spider-man stepping on each other's toes.

 

[NoirMan82]

I think it's all just wishful thinking on Sony's part. For sure they want to continue their billion dollar success with the Spider-Man franchise, but the last movie was such a mess they have no clue where to go from here, other than just retaining rights to the character. If they didn't give Marvel that advance the rights to Spidey would slip back to Marvel.

 

[KangConquers]

Can Marvel ever refuse the advance, or do they not have that option?

 

[FaT_tONle]

Here's my translation of this report...

"We don't respond to hypotheticals" = "We are scared ****less of Sony and will do everything in our power to accomodate SM4 because we have zero confidence in Captain America..."

That's what I take out of all of this...

 

[KangConquers]

Here's my translation of this report...

"We don't respond to hypotheticals" = "We are scared ****less of Sony and will do everything in our power to accomodate SM4 because we have zero confidence in Captain America..."

That's what I take out of all of this...

"Quick Batman, let's escape through the hole in FaT_tONle's logic!"

 

[FaT_tONle]

Well... my middle name is Fat "overreactor" Tonie, although that applies to a lot of people at the Hype. But seriously... Marvel is going to have to work a deal through Sony IMO. I could easily see Sony distributing Cap if Paramount isn't the lock that we all thought it was... and even if that's the case and Sony reworks an extension on the side with the Spidey franchise... I still don't think that deal will be good enough... SOny is just going to play the "We haven't done a Marvel film since 07" card... while you guys (Marvel Studios) have had two tentpoles in both 08 and 10, so now it's our turn". What can Marvel say in their defense? And if Marvel doesn't budge Sony could easily put SM4 in May as well... and I don't care what anyone says and three years is an eternity away I understand that... but it will be a BIG mistake having those two films out in the same month. That's all I'll say in regard to that.

 

[Evil Twin]

My take on Marvel's statement is, "Who cares about release dates three years out except as a PR tool to pump up our stock price?"

Universal will likely be out as a choice as there are rumors of a WB/Universal merger. But, as long as the deal only involves distribution/marketing, I think people are getting worried over nothing. Fox has one of the best marketing departments around, even if they're known as a bunch of meddlers. Sony and Paramount certainly have had their share of hits as well.

 

[thejon93]

I'd like to see 'Paramount' license more 'Marvel' movies, I hope they get/got rights to 'Captain America', overwise, it's going to be a bad movie.