Petition for Fox to Sell Rights to Marvel

[SSJ4_Haruhi]

Board Member #1:Okay, we know the film was a miserable failure at the box office and got completely torn apart by critics. What else should we consider before voting to move forward with a sequel?

Board Member #2: Well, fans are so vehemently against the idea of a sequel that 10's of thousands of them have actually signed a petition that says. "WE DON'T WANT ANOTHER SEQUEL!!!!!"

Board Member #1: I'm talking about relevant things we should consider. Why should we care about something like that?

Board Member #3: Yeah, Board Member #2 is always bringing up things that have nothing to do with the topic.

Board Member #4: Why are you always wasting our time like this, Board Member #2? Couldn't you actually take some time to bring something relevant to the discussion?

Everybody except Board Member #2 Shaking their heads: Idiot.

Actually, considering the last couple years, yeah, I can see that happening.

I sometimes wonder if Board Member #2 is even in some of the meetings sometimes.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I sometimes wonder if Board Member #2 is even in some of the meetings sometimes.

Yep, based on what we've seen, I think I'm giving Fox too much credit to think there even could be a Board Member #2.

 

[Quasar]

Board Member #2 got fired a long time ago.

 

[Aztec]

Here is the only FF related conversations that have ever been had by the Fox board:

"So how much time do we have left to make one of them Funky Bunch movies to keep the IP?"

 

[Quasar]

Here is the only FF related conversations that have ever been had by the Fox board:

"So how much time do we have left to make one of them Funky Bunch movies to keep the IP?"

BM 1: "So how much time do we have left to make one of them Funky Bunch movies to keep the IP?"

BM 3: "A couple of weeks."

BM 1: "What do we got?"

BM 3: "Not much."

BM 1: "Put it in theaters. We may lose $100 million, but at least we'll hang on to those potentially valuable rights!"

BM 3: "We lost $100 million last time. This time it'll be more like $300 million."

BM 1: "Hmm. Well, whatever."

 

[Aztec]

BM 4: "I know a great kid to direct it. He's emotionally unstable, usually high, has poor social skills, and very little experience so he'll work cheap!"

BM2: "Sounds perfect!"

BM3: "You guys are idiots! It's not called 'Funky Bunch' it's the 'Fabuolous Freebirds!'

(Collective): "Oh yeah."

 

[MahvelBaby!]

Board Member #2 got fired a long time ago.

Board member #2 got his/her job like the girl in arrested development (forgot her name lol)

 

[metaphysician]

Heck, I'm not sure they would show up to an MCU Fantastic Four. I don't think a lot of posters realize the degree that this film has destroyed this brand. Marvel would be taking a gigantic risk by making another Fantastic Four movie. It isn't as simple as getting it right next time and then people will show up. The audience has been chased away.

Eh, I think Marvel could turn it around. They'd just need to put together a good movie, and market it well. Give it a theme of "Look up into the sky. See that infinite space filled with unimaginable vistas. Lets go there." Include tag lines like "From the makers of Guardians of the Galaxy". Show square-jawed science heroes being struck with awe at incredibly Kirby-esque sights.

After all, this is all stuff none of the *prior* FF movies have done even a little.

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

Eh, I think Marvel could turn it around. They'd just need to put together a good movie, and market it well. Give it a theme of "Look up into the sky. See that infinite space filled with unimaginable vistas. Lets go there." Include tag lines like "From the makers of Guardians of the Galaxy". Show square-jawed science heroes being struck with awe at incredibly Kirby-esque sights.

After all, this is all stuff none of the *prior* FF movies have done even a little.

Yeah make it obvious as **** haha. Like have "Introducing the Marvel Studios Cinematic Universe's First Family"

"From the creators of The Avengers, Captain America: TWS and Guardians of the Galaxy"

"Absolutely not from 20th Century Fox"

 

[Shikamaru]

If they reboot right away, Marvel would have to shove the fact that it's under a new studio down everyone's throat. That includes the possibility of putting out disclaimers. "Being blunt" would be an understatement.

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

"Absolutely not from 20th Century Fox"

Followed by:

"You're welcome."

 

[InJustice]

I'm well aware of what arrogant means, I just think you're being ridiculous. It's an outlet of frustration for thousands of fans, it takes less than a minute to sign, and it harms no one.
Plus, for all the naysayers commenting on how useless it is...

That's certainly something.

I don't see how that's being ridiculous when the structure and fan comments within the petition speaks for itself. It takes less than a minute to decide whether you want to see Fantastic 4 or not, and that action speaks louder than a measly petition wanting to sell rights back to Marvel.

Also, how are websites reporting on it, an indication that the petition is useful? It didn't make Fox sell the rights like the petitioners wanted. This is no different from news going to Twitter/Instagram for stories.

 

[Flint Marko]

I don't see how that's being ridiculous when the structure and fan comments within the petition speaks for itself. It takes less than a minute to decide whether you want to see Fantastic 4 or not, and that action speaks louder than a measly petition wanting to sell rights back to Marvel.

Also, how are websites reporting on it, an indication that the petition is useful? It didn't make Fox sell the rights like the petitioners wanted. This is no different from news going to Twitter/Instagram for stories.

You said it's "arrogant" to sign a petition. That's a pretty ridiculous statement.
Websites reporting on it shows that there's a lot of people who specifically want these rights back to Marvel. Not just those who didn't like the movie, but want the rights to revert. It finally puts a quantifiable figure on how strong that sentiment is amongst the Internet, moreso than the film flopping.
Whether or not if effects Fox's final decision is inconsequential, I doubt a good majority of those signing it think that they are personally forcing Fox's hand like you originally claimed. Again, I find that ridiculous.

 

[Eddie]

For somebody that hates online petitions, InJustice sure posts a lot about online petitions.

 

[wobbly]

This is basically a reverse situation, but fans can indeed influence the big corporations from a nay into a yay:

http://io9.com/5875356/fan-campaigns-throughout-history-that-saved-scifi-and-fantasy-tv-shows

I can't say there's a precedent for the opposite (no need usually. Something is doing bad and is disliked, it gets axed), but then this is a rather unique situation.

Thing is, if the FF didn't exist, and this film was something Fox dreamed up entirely themselves, this would all be redundant. There's no way they would even think of a sequel, nor would they plan to 'reboot' in about 7-8 years. They would (wisely) just write it off as a bad investment and move on to something else.

 

[Eddie]

Not totally comparable, but Weekly Shonen Jump polls readers weekly. They do take fan polling into consideration when deciding what manga to drop. It's not that weird of an idea for an entertainment company to listen to fans, at least outside of Hollywood...

 

[InJustice]

You said it's "arrogant" to sign a petition. That's a pretty ridiculous statement.
Websites reporting on it shows that there's a lot of people who specifically want these rights back to Marvel. Not just those who didn't like the movie, but want the rights to revert. It finally puts a quantifiable figure on how strong that sentiment is amongst the Internet, moreso than the film flopping.
Whether or not if effects Fox's final decision is inconsequential, I doubt a good majority of those signing it think that they are personally forcing Fox's hand like you originally claimed. Again, I find that ridiculous.

Don't get it twisted. I didn't say it's arrogant to sign a petition. I said it's arrogant to sign this specific one. The first one is implying all petitions, whereas what I said just highlights this specific petition that's the key difference. I'm all for petitions that make a difference be it for social justice (as long as it's logical and reasonable, not the SJW crap we see nowadays), call corporations out on their BS, and such. This one makes fans feel like they have the power to make IP management decision for companies, when in actuality they don't. This is the first petition that makes absolutely no sense in terms of what they want.

Do you seriously think Fox gives a flying crap about what the fans think on the Internet? They're not going to base their decisions on what a bunch of people think. Also, the last statement you made is ridiculous. For a petition that clearly states that they want Fox to revert the rights to Marvel, you're telling me that they don't want to force Fox's hand and make them sell the IP? What's the point of even signing it then?

 

[wobbly]

If Fox didn't give a flying crap what fans think on the internet then why did Kebell admit they changed the 'Domashev' back to 'Von Doom' in post due to fan complaints?

 

[Flint Marko]

Don't get it twisted. I didn't say it's arrogant to sign a petition. I said it's arrogant to sign this specific one. The first one is implying all petitions, whereas what I said just highlights this specific petition that's the key difference. I'm all for petitions that make a difference be it for social justice (as long as it's logical and reasonable, not the SJW crap we see nowadays), call corporations out on their BS, and such. This one makes fans feel like they have the power to make IP management decision for companies, when in actuality they don't. This is the first petition that makes absolutely no sense in terms of what they want.

Do you seriously think Fox gives a flying crap about what the fans think on the Internet? They're not going to base their decisions on what a bunch of people think. Also, the last statement you made is ridiculous. For a petition that clearly states that they want Fox to revert the rights to Marvel, you're telling me that they don't want to force Fox's hand and make them sell the IP? What's the point of even signing it then?

Where are you getting any of this from? You've apparently concocted a sense of self-importance that each person who has signed this apparently must feel after taking 15 seconds to hit a few keys. What are you even talking about? Again, it's an outlet for frustration, an admittedly meaningless gesture, but the numbers are certainly turning heads. That's at least worth talking about, but you've apparently dreamed up an entire agenda that each person whose name is on this list apparently feels. You're making a mountain out of a mole hill, and painting with very broad strokes.

 

[Raiden]

Don't get it twisted. I didn't say it's arrogant to sign a petition. I said it's arrogant to sign this specific one. The first one is implying all petitions, whereas what I said just highlights this specific petition that's the key difference. I'm all for petitions that make a difference be it for social justice (as long as it's logical and reasonable, not the SJW crap we see nowadays), call corporations out on their BS, and such. This one makes fans feel like they have the power to make IP management decision for companies, when in actuality they don't. This is the first petition that makes absolutely no sense in terms of what they want.

Do you seriously think Fox gives a flying crap about what the fans think on the Internet? They're not going to base their decisions on what a bunch of people think. Also, the last statement you made is ridiculous. For a petition that clearly states that they want Fox to revert the rights to Marvel, you're telling me that they don't want to force Fox's hand and make them sell the IP? What's the point of even signing it then?

People don't just sign petitions because they have delusions of grandeur and think their signatures alone can force a conglomerate like Fox to bend to their will; they signed those petitions to show that they have had enough BS and this is a way to express their frustration, such as the continuous blunder of making FF movies by Fox. It's the same thing with making calls to a Congressman or Senator to demand an action or an accountability. Yes, it probably won't work, but it will be noticed and there are times it even forced change. At the very least, those fans are telling Fox that they don't want their crap anymore, and it comes after this movie's abysmal box office performance, C- Cinemascore, and 8% RT score. I think even Fox will be hard-pressed to ignore all of the signs presented to them.

 

[InJustice]

Where are you getting any of this from? You've apparently concocted a sense of self-importance that each person who has signed this apparently must feel after taking 15 seconds to hit a few keys. What are you even talking about? Again, it's an outlet for frustration, an admittedly meaningless gesture, but the numbers are certainly turning heads. That's at least worth talking about, but you've apparently dreamed up an entire agenda that each person whose name is on this list apparently feels. You're making a mountain out of a mole hill, and painting with very broad strokes.

Copied and pasted from the petition itself:

Title itself even references what I've been saying all along: Make Fox sell the rights to "Fantastic Four" back to Marvel Studios

Comments:
- "It's time for Marvel's First Family to come home."
- "Marvel belongs to marvel"
- "These guys need to be part of the MCU!"
- "Marvel Studios needs to control their characters. Period."
- "It's only right to have Fox sell the rights to "Fantastic Four" back to Marvel Studios, why would you have Wendy's make a Burrito, would Chipotle could make a fantastic one?"
- "im signing because obviously fox has no idea how to make a good fantastic four movie, and on the other hand marvel makes almost anything they do great."

But apparently, that's painting broad strokes...

If Fox didn't give a flying crap what fans think on the internet then why did Kebell admit they changed the 'Domashev' back to 'Von Doom' in post due to fan complaints?

There's a difference between comic book lore and business decisions. Like I said before, fans matter when they're trying to make money (even though they're failing miserably in that regard), but fans absolutely do not matter when it comes to managing rights and business decisions with regards to IP rights. Can't compare apples to oranges.

People don't just sign petitions because they have delusions of grandeur and think their signatures alone can force a conglomerate like Fox to bend to their will; they signed those petitions to show that they have had enough BS and this is a way to express their frustration, such as the continuous blunder of making FF movies by Fox. It's the same thing with making calls to a Congressman or Senator to demand an action or an accountability. Yes, it probably won't work, but it will be noticed and there are times it even forced change. At the very least, those fans are telling Fox that they don't want their crap anymore, and it comes after this movie's abysmal box office performance, C- Cinemascore, and 8% RT score. I think even Fox will be hard-pressed to ignore all of the signs presented to them.

Except the comments itself lend a very strong suggestion that people are signing this to get the rights reverted back to Marvel. I'm seeing expressions of frustrations, but not for the same reasons you and other posters here are saying. I'm seeing frustration expressed with Fox's products such that they think Fox no longer deserves the license, which is what I've been trying to say all along. As for voicing displeasure for their product, I think the 8% rating and the miserable 27mil opening weekend (and the rest of the box office run) speaks measures. Far more so than 20,000 signatures telling Fox to go sell the rights back.

 

[Flint Marko]

Copied and pasted from the petition itself:

Title itself even references what I've been saying all along: Make Fox sell the rights to "Fantastic Four" back to Marvel Studios

Comments:
- "It's time for Marvel's First Family to come home."
- "Marvel belongs to marvel"
- "These guys need to be part of the MCU!"
- "Marvel Studios needs to control their characters. Period."
- "It's only right to have Fox sell the rights to "Fantastic Four" back to Marvel Studios, why would you have Wendy's make a Burrito, would Chipotle could make a fantastic one?"
- "im signing because obviously fox has no idea how to make a good fantastic four movie, and on the other hand marvel makes almost anything they do great."

But apparently, that's painting broad strokes...

You are. I'm not seeing anything in there where the author of the petition is having some false sense of purpose or power. He's merely stating what we are all thinking, and inviting others to sign on and agree with him. That's literally it. Beginning, middle, and end of story. Again I ask, where's the arrogance?

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

Copied and pasted from the petition itself:

Title itself even references what I've been saying all along: Make Fox sell the rights to "Fantastic Four" back to Marvel Studios

Comments:
- "It's time for Marvel's First Family to come home."
- "Marvel belongs to marvel"
- "These guys need to be part of the MCU!"
- "Marvel Studios needs to control their characters. Period."
- "It's only right to have Fox sell the rights to "Fantastic Four" back to Marvel Studios, why would you have Wendy's make a Burrito, would Chipotle could make a fantastic one?"
- "im signing because obviously fox has no idea how to make a good fantastic four movie, and on the other hand marvel makes almost anything they do great."

But apparently, that's painting broad strokes...

What's wrong with those statements?

There's a difference between comic book lore and business decisions. Like I said before, fans matter when they're trying to make money (even though they're failing miserably in that regard), but fans absolutely do not matter when it comes to managing rights and business decisions with regards to IP rights. Can't compare apples to oranges.



Except the comments itself lend a very strong suggestion that people are signing this to get the rights reverted back to Marvel. I'm seeing expressions of frustrations, but not for the same reasons you and other posters here are saying. I'm seeing frustration expressed with Fox's products such that they think Fox no longer deserves the license, which is what I've been trying to say all along. As for voicing displeasure for their product, I think the 8% rating and the miserable 27mil opening weekend (and the rest of the box office run) speaks measures. Far more so than 20,000 signatures telling Fox to go sell the rights back.

This is an odd crusade. I'm not sure of your point really. Suffice to say you don't agree with the petition. Others disagree with your disagreement. What more needs to be said? Probably nothing.

 

[wobbly]

There's a difference between comic book lore and business decisions. Like I said before, fans matter when they're trying to make money (even though they're failing miserably in that regard), but fans absolutely do not matter when it comes to managing rights and business decisions with regards to IP rights. Can't compare apples to oranges.

Thanks for that clarification. So we matter, but only selectively (I do agree with that).

As regards the IP issue though, wouldn't you think that losing the core fanbase and the GA utterly would play into what they decide? I can see why they'd think fans wishes and any petition arising from that are of zero importance as long as they are still making money, but they are taking what looks to be at least a $60mil loss on this thing. Then there's the ongoing embarrassing 'blame game' fallout to consider (Trank getting lawyered up suggests he is expecting something).

Hard to see how they can present a case to their shareholders that the FF is something that is worth them keeping anymore. If I were one I 'd ask "are we not just throwing good money after bad?"

The petition itself probably won't factor at all (it will be all about the money in the end), but it doesn't hurt to have something beyond a message board consensus to let Fox know where the fanbase stands.

A meaningless gesture perhaps, but it's not hurting anyone.

 

[Raiden]

Except the comments itself lend a very strong suggestion that people are signing this to get the rights reverted back to Marvel. I'm seeing expressions of frustrations, but not for the same reasons you and other posters here are saying. I'm seeing frustration expressed with Fox's products such that they think Fox no longer deserves the license, which is what I've been trying to say all along. As for voicing displeasure for their product, I think the 8% rating and the miserable 27mil opening weekend (and the rest of the box office run) speaks measures. Far more so than 20,000 signatures telling Fox to go sell the rights back.

Yes, fans do feel strongly about wanting the FF rights to be revert back to Fox, which is one of the reasons why they signed the petition. But it is due to the blatant disregard for the FF property and the purpose behind making the movie in the first place (retaining IP rights) that further peeved off the fans. Just because there's a slight to no chance of Fox actually consent to the will of the people and relinquish their hold on the FF rights doesn't invalidate the grass root effort of the fans and their petition.