The Rebooted "Keep Hope Alive" (that the rights can revert back to Marvel) Thread - - - - - - - - - - Part 19

[Detective Conan]

I'm completely clueless on how it will turn out, but I am leaning in the direction that it may be in Iger's long term best interests to lose the bidding war. That's assuming he can pry away Marvel (including EOM theme park), Star Wars and (perhaps) Avatar rights away from Kabletown either as part of the breakup fee or after the deal closes and Roberts is looking to shed assets to pay down his ginormous debt burden.

Greenfield's main point, that Disney should pour these billions into content for Disneyflix (as Netflix is doing) instead of paying for infrastructure (TV and movie studios, cable networks, satellite TV service) makes an awful lot of sense.

That might be doable. Comcast did offer to pay up the break-up fee for Fox if they abandoned the Disney deal with Fox so perhaps as part of their payment for the break-up fee to Disney Comcast will hash out a deal with Iger for some of the domestic assets like the Marvel rights/Star Wars New Hope distribution rights? That’d be the best scenario if Disney does lose the bidding war for Fox(though I still think they’ll win, although very barely).

Edit: That scenario does seem quite unlikely given that the way the deal is structured would likely preclude such a trade-off from occurring. But given that Comcast did say they would pay Disney the break-up fee(which would 1.3 billion dollars) then I’d imagine Roberts who’s going to drown his company in debt would likely want to find an alternative means of compensation and might want to negoatiate with Murdoch and the shareholders on restructuring the deal to allow for the Marvel rights and A New Hope distribution rights to go over to Disney as part of the payment for the breakup fee.

 

[MasterCat]

Greenfield's main point, that Disney should pour these billions into content for Disneyflix (as Netflix is doing) instead of paying for infrastructure (TV and movie studios, cable networks, satellite TV service) makes an awful lot of sense.

I disagree. Star of India is huge. India has a middle class almost as big as China's, and like Americans they like to watch domestic films. Whoever can create synergy between TV and film content has the opportunity to be the one Hollywood company that China-fies that market.
I don't get Iger's thinking that the Sky infrastructure in Europe is an important business for Disney to be in.

 

[Big Bang]

I disagree. Star of India is huge. India has a middle class almost as big as China's, and like Americans they like to watch domestic films. Whoever can create synergy between TV and film content has the opportunity to be the one Hollywood company that China-fies that market.
I don't get Iger's thinking that the Sky infrastructure in Europe is an important business for Disney to be in.

Many of these lines I agree with. Star gives Disney a foothold in the country with its enormous population. It's a market that they can synergize between domestic and foreign entertainment. Enormous amount of opportunity there, and in many respects Star is far more important than Sky.

 

[Detective Conan]

I’m very curious to know what Comcast has up their sleeve for their inevitable next counter bid. We anticipate they’ll add some stock next and raise their bid but perhaps they have something in mind that we’re not expecting.

 

[x-er]

I'm curious to know if anyone has analyzed what X-Men may look like under Disney and what X-Men may look like under Comcast. I wouldn't know anything about that.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I'm curious to know if anyone has analyzed what X-Men may look like under Disney and what X-Men may look like under Comcast. I wouldn't know anything about that.

I would expect that the X-Men under Marvel will look like the X-Men - amazing, unique characters with jaw-dropping powers. I expect a snarling, manic, animalistic Wolverine. I expect a beast who leaps and tumbles with strength, speed, agility and acrobatic finesse. I expect Iceman gliding on sheets of ice that he creates as he goes. etc. etc. etc.

If Comcast gets them, I expect them to continue what Fox started. Dull, lifeless unimaginative characters who rarely use their powers in any interesting ways, stories that seem painfully familiar and repetitive etc. etc. etc.

 

[Detective Conan]

I'm curious to know if anyone has analyzed what X-Men may look like under Disney and what X-Men may look like under Comcast. I wouldn't know anything about that.

If Disney/Marvel gets the rights: With the exception of the Merc-With-the-Mouth the Marvel rights that Fox owns(or would formerly own at that point) would get a hard reboot and Iger confirmed that those rights would be placed under the control of Marvel Studios in a Q&A shortly after the merger was announced. Iger also confirmed that Deadpool would keep his R-rating and would not be toned down to PG-13 like many fans had feared. Marvel would also cease their merchandising embargo on the Fantastic Four and X-Men, and we'll finally have them in video games and cartoons again.

If Comcast/Universal gets the rights: There's two options on the table for Comcast/Universal...

Option #1. Keeping Fox as its own subsidiary now dubbed 'New Fox' they pick up where Old Fox left off with & continue on with the Singer-X-Men films series along the planned spin-offs(The Solo Kitty Pryde film, the Gambit film) would happen. The status quo would largely remain the same in this case. Similar to what Marvel did when Trank’s FF film was close to coming out — the FF comics will likely be cancelled again ahead of the release of the Universal/Comcast FF film as there's even more bad blood between Marvel and Universal(see their refusal to hand over the Hulk distribution rights) than Marvel and old Fox.

Option #2. If Fox is absorbed into Universal Studios or its retain as its own entity dubbed 'New Fox' then they could also decide not to continue on with the Singer-X films opting for a hard reboot of the X-Men(sans Deadpool). This scenario would be similar to what many expect Marvel/Disney would do with the Fox-owned Marvel properties if they did finally get access to them. In either case, Deadpool largely continues on unchanged. Comcast/Universal might carry over the Noah Hawley Doctor Doom film from old Fox and use that as a springboard for their FF reboot. Fantastic Four gets rebooted in either case. The Fantastic Four comics are once again cancelled, and the merchandising embargo on the FF and X-Men remains the same.

 

[MasterCat]

I would expect that the X-Men under Marvel will look like the X-Men - amazing, unique characters with jaw-dropping powers. I expect a snarling, manic, animalistic Wolverine. I expect a beast who leaps and tumbles with strength, speed, agility and acrobatic finesse. I expect Iceman gliding on sheets of ice that he creates as he goes. etc. etc. etc.

If Comcast gets them, I expect them to continue what Fox started. Dull, lifeless unimaginative characters who rarely use their powers in any interesting ways, stories that seem painfully familiar and repetitive etc. etc. etc.

???
Iceman will have a bigger budget and they'll replace dull, lifeless unimaginative Hugh Jackman with a good actor? I don't follow.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

???
Iceman will have a bigger budget and they'll replace dull, lifeless unimaginative Hugh Jackman with a good actor? I don't follow.

Hugh Jackman did fine with what he had to work with, but he was like someone's slightly crabby uncle. He never felt like the Wolverine I knew from the comics. I think when Marvel does it, we'll say: "Yeah, that's Wolverine."

But feel free to tell me I was wrong if it doesn't play out that way.

 

[Drexelhand]

Hugh Jackman did fine with what he had to work with, but he was like someone's slightly crabby uncle. He never felt like the Wolverine I knew from the comics. I think when Marvel does it, we'll say: "Yeah, that's Wolverine."

But feel free to tell me I was wrong if it doesn't play out that way.

How odd, he definitely felt like the Wolverine I knew from the comics. I think when/if/how/why Marvel does it, the internet is going to ***** louder than they did when Heath Ledger got cast as Joker and that it'll be a Tobey Maguire-Andrew Garfield situation but with much, much more vitriol because Jackman's Wolverine is much, much more beloved. The truth is, Marvel could make a better Logan, but it'll be much harder to prove it when Jackman's Logan had such impact that like Downey Jr's Iron Man, he altered the character in the comic.

 

[Boom]

Jackman was very good in the role but I'd prefer a more feral, on-the-edge take for Wolverine on the next go around.

 

[Detective Conan]

If Comcast gets them, I expect them to continue what Fox started. Dull, lifeless unimaginative characters who rarely use their powers in any interesting ways, stories that seem painfully familiar and repetitive etc. etc. etc.

What will be sad if Marvel doesn't get the rights is that the sidelining of the properties will remain the same and there are tons of cosmic elements of the Marvel Universe that Fox has that just ripe with potential and Fox is just letting it all go to waste. Galactus, Silver Surfer, Kang, and Uatu would all be super perfect for Phase 4.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

How odd, he definitely felt like the Wolverine I knew from the comics. I think when/if/how/why Marvel does it, the internet is going to ***** louder than they did when Heath Ledger got cast as Joker and that it'll be a Tobey Maguire-Andrew Garfield situation but with much, much more vitriol because Jackman's Wolverine is much, much more beloved. The truth is, Marvel could make a better Logan, but it'll be much harder to prove it when Jackman's Logan had such impact that like Downey Jr's Iron Man, he altered the character in the comic.

I feel like I would enjoy hanging out and drinking beer with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. I wouldn't enjoy hanging out with comic-book Wolverine. That f***er scares me.

And I suspect it will be like Toby Maguire vs. Tom Holland. When Toby was the only Pete/Spidey we knew, we were happy with him. But Holland is notably better.

I will absolutely agree with anybody who says Hugh Jackman is the best Wolverine we've ever seen, but I have a better one in my mind and I honestly believe Marvel can deliver that better version.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Jackman was very good in the role but I'd prefer a more feral, on-the-edge take for Wolverine on the next go around.

Exactly.

 

[MasterCat]

I feel like I would enjoy hanging out and drinking beer with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. I wouldn't enjoy hanging out with comic-book Wolverine. That f***er scares me.

And I suspect it will be like Toby Maguire vs. Tom Holland. When Toby was the only Pete/Spidey we knew, we were happy with him. But Holland is notably better.

I will absolutely agree with anybody who says Hugh Jackman is the best Wolverine we've ever seen, but I have a better one in my mind and I honestly believe Marvel can deliver that better version.

Maybe. I would like to see a short muscular actor who has the range to play a non-villain "f***er [who] scares me."
One big way to shake the character up would be to put him in a mask, but few actors of quality are willing to do that. Look how often Toby Maguire and Tom Holland take the cloth mask off - or RDJ with the helmet.
It's so tough to balance a really good actor, looks, and other things.

 

[Detective Conan]

I will absolutely agree with anybody who says Hugh Jackman is the best Wolverine we've ever seen, but I have a better one in my mind and I honestly believe Marvel can deliver that better version.

He's the only Wolverine we've ever seen. This isn't like Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man where there's already been several live action actors playing the role before. Hugh Jackman is literally the first and only actor to ever play the role in live-action. There really isn't anyone you could compare him to unless you want to reach to another medium and compare him to the actors who've played the role in videogames/cartoons/audio books.

 

[1627523]

any actor that has to follow Hugh Jackmans performance in Logan is probably going to crap the pants. The next actor better put 200% into it because Hugh set the bar really high. Same thing with Professor x and magneto. GOOD LUCK!

 

[wobbly]

I know he was used for Apocalypse but I think Oscar Isaac would be a good fit for Wolverine.

 

[2kt09]

He's the only Wolverine we've ever seen. This isn't like Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man where there's been several live action actors playing the role. Hugh Jackman is literally the first and only actor to ever play the role in live-action. There really isn't anyone you could compare him to unless you want to reach to another medium and compare him with the actors who've played the role in videogames/cartoons/audio books.

I mean it could be like when I say Frank Grillo is the best Punisher I've seen. Some folks might know which role(s) I'm basing off of.

In that vein, with Wolverine, my only other comparison is Lucas Hood.

 

[Detective Conan]

I know he was used for Apocalypse but I think Oscar Isaac would be a good fit for Wolverine.

Isaac would be a good fit but I wonder if he can pull off comic book Wolverine's wild hairdo.

And they still cast Chris Evans & Micheal B. Jordan as Captain America and Kilmonger respectively despite both of them previously portraying the Human Torch in the Fox movies so I'd figure Marvel wouldn't mind casting Isaac in another comic book role.

 

[Drexelhand]

I feel like I would enjoy hanging out and drinking beer with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. I wouldn't enjoy hanging out with comic-book Wolverine. That f***er scares me.

That sounds like New 52 Superman vs Post-Crisis Superman to me, so, fair I guess, but the only incarnation of comics' Logan I found scary was bone clawed 90s Logan but he was barely Wolverine, I feel.

And I suspect it will be like Toby Maguire vs. Tom Holland. When Toby was the only Pete/Spidey we knew, we were happy with him. But Holland is notably better.

I'm going to put some dirt in your eye.

I will absolutely agree with anybody who says Hugh Jackman is the best Wolverine we've ever seen, but I have a better one in my mind and I honestly believe Marvel can deliver that better version.

Belief is good.

Isaac would be a good fit but I wonder if he can pull off comic book Wolverine's wild hairdo.

And they still cast Chris Evans & Micheal B. Jordan as Captain America and Kilmonger respectively despite both of them previously portraying the Human Torch in the Fox movies so I'd figure Marvel wouldn't mind casting him in another comic book role.

I think it'd be cool if Isaac got another shot at Apocalypse, but done Thanos like with amazing motion-capture CGI. He really got Apocalypse's personality right. There was a review that put it something like 'he's able to focus past all the CGI' or something which pretty much praised him for being able to add so much subtleties and drive away from the extra noise. Give him time like Thanos and more motivation beyond wanting to set up a new empire with Charles' crippled body in Cairo and I think Isaac would knock it out of the park.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

He's the only Wolverine we've ever seen. This isn't like Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man where there's already been several live action actors playing the role before. Hugh Jackman is literally the first and only actor to ever play the role in live-action. There really isn't anyone you could compare him to unless you want to reach to another medium and compare him to the actors who've played the role in videogames/cartoons/audio books.

Exactly, and that’s my point. It’s easy to say “no one will ever beat Jackman” until someone does.

I can imagine a better Wolverine. And if I can imagine it, Marvel can make it happen.

And it’s not just the actor. It’s the script, wardrobe, choreography, special effects, directing etc. When Marvel puts all those elements together (as they have with other characters), people will see what they were missing in a way they have trouble imagining now.

 

[MasterCat]

Exactly, and that’s my point. It’s easy to say “no one will ever beat Jackman” until someone does.

I can imagine a better Wolverine. And if I can imagine it, Marvel can make it happen.

What about Iron Man?

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

What about Iron Man?

He could be better. I can definitely imagine a better Tony Stark than RDJ, but Marvel did a fairly good job with the other elements I mentioned, so there’s less obvious room for improvement than there is for Wolverine, but I expect the next version to be better.

The problem with Fox/Comcast is they think they’ve already nailed it, so they’ll use the previous films for models. Marvel will use the comic books.

 

[Detective Conan]

he could be better. .

blasphempy.