The Rebooted "Keep Hope Alive" (that the rights can revert back to Marvel) Thread - - - - - - - - - - - - Part 21

[Willie Lumpkin]

November 2021... that Anniversary. Not saying we won't have a tease before then, but Fiege is big on Anniversaries.

I REALLY hope they do this, but I just don't think that's enough time.

... but on the other hand, I believe I just read yesterday that the new Joker film that was just announced will be released October next year.

But one thing that has made me curious has been the vagueness from Peyton Reed regarding an Ant-Man 3. Now in some ways, that could be expected. Ant-Man hasn't been a huge money-maker compared to other Marvel properties and even if they have a plan for an Ant-Man 3, they may choose not to discuss it.

But I'm also wondering if they're trying to keep Reed's powder dry for an FF film. If he could hit the ground running in the fall, there should be no problem having an FF film put together by Nov. 2021.

It has also seemed odd to me that, a few years ago, we had a nearly complete Marvel schedule stretching 5 years into the future and now we don't even know what's planned a couple years from now. Since this deal has been in the works for a long time, Feige may have been planning with the hope he would be able to get to work on some new films he has in mind and get them into the schedule and quickly into production after the deal closes.

And one final detail. I've noticed that in recent interviews, when asked, Feige has mentioned that they're focused on the five movies that are currently in the works (Those 5 being Ant-Man and Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers 4, Spider-Man Far From Home and GOTG3). But his focus on and emphasis of those 5 would seem to imply some flexibility on films that aren't in that set of 5.

So even if some other film is currently penciled in for November 2021, it is possible that they could nudge that aside for an FF film if this deal does close soon.

... but with all that said, I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm fine as long as something is coming in the next 7 years or so.

 

[InCali]

I REALLY hope they do this, but I just don't think that's enough time.

... but on the other hand, I believe I just read yesterday that the new Joker film that was just announced will be released October next year.

But one thing that has made me curious has been the vagueness from Peyton Reed regarding an Ant-Man 3. Now in some ways, that could be expected. Ant-Man hasn't been a huge money-maker compared to other Marvel properties and even if they have a plan for an Ant-Man 3, they may choose not to discuss it.

But I'm also wondering if they're trying to keep Reed's powder dry for an FF film. If he could hit the ground running in the fall, there should be no problem having an FF film put together by Nov. 2021.

It has also seemed odd to me that, a few years ago, we had a nearly complete Marvel schedule stretching 5 years into the future and now we don't even know what's planned a couple years from now. Since this deal has been in the works for a long time, Feige may have been planning with the hope he would be able to get to work on some new films he has in mind and get them into the schedule and quickly into production after the deal closes.

And one final detail. I've noticed that in recent interviews, when asked, Feige has mentioned that they're focused on the five movies that are currently in the works (Those 5 being Ant-Man and Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers 4, Spider-Man Far From Home and GOTG3). But his focus on and emphasis of those 5 would seem to imply some flexibility on films that aren't in that set of 5.

So even if some other film is currently penciled in for November 2021, it is possible that they could nudge that aside for an FF film if this deal does close soon.

... but with all that said, I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm fine as long as something is coming in the next 7 years or so.

I think a credits scene showing the back of the characters of Doom, Reed, and Ben (or just their voices) would send me into a tailspin. What better way to set up the new phase? Doom has GOT to be the next big baddie and deserves a big build up.

Galactus, Surfer.....YOIKES!!!! I am SO stoked....

 

[Marvel united]

I don't think Feige would hesitate at all to move up Eternals or any other new MCU property for a F4 film. People need to realize that getting these properties back is a game-changer, even more so than Spider-Man was. Marvel has been shown in the past to have a very flexible schedule

 

[Dark Raven]

Who really wants to see Eternals anyway instead of FF? Fantastic Four shouldn't get pushed back yet again for a different property that doesn't even have all that wide appeal or crossover value.

 

[Boom]

Game-changer is right. You've got Fantastic Four and X-Men back, so right there that opens up any number of possibilities (not the least of which is Secret Wars).

I know Feige said the MCU moving forward may not be comprised of "phases" so much, but if it were? God damn are they set.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I think a credits scene showing the back of the characters of Doom, Reed, and Ben (or just their voices) would send me into a tailspin. What better way to set up the new phase? Doom has GOT to be the next big baddie and deserves a big build up.

Galactus, Surfer.....YOIKES!!!! I am SO stoked....

 

[Dark Raven]

Game-changer is right. You've got Fantastic Four and X-Men back, so right there that opens up any number of possibilities (not the least of which is Secret Wars).

I know Feige said the MCU moving forward may not be comprised of "phases" so much, but if it were? God damn are they set.

And what sound better than Phase 4: Fantastic 4? The most suitable phase.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I don't think Feige would hesitate at all to move up Eternals or any other new MCU property for a F4 film. People need to realize that getting these properties back is a game-changer, even more so than Spider-Man was. Marvel has been shown in the past to have a very flexible schedule

Who really wants to see Eternals anyway instead of FF? Fantastic Four shouldn't get pushed back yet again for a different property that doesn't even have all that wide appeal or crossover value.

Yeah, I think without the X-Men or FF, it's like: "Okay guys, we've done all the major characters. What can we do next?" "Well, we could do something with Adam Warlock, Nova, the Eternals etc."

And that would be fine. And if done right, they could make money with characters like that. But films with those characters wouldn't have the built-in audiences and organic excitement of the FF and X-Men now that they're options.

The difference between announcing an FF film or Eternals would be the difference between announcing a Joker or Mr. Mxyzptlk film.

 

[Protar]

I don't think Feige would hesitate at all to move up Eternals or any other new MCU property for a F4 film. People need to realize that getting these properties back is a game-changer, even more so than Spider-Man was. Marvel has been shown in the past to have a very flexible schedule

What's the rush though? With Spiderman, there was a very small window to strike that deal and get Spidey into the MCU. It was a huge risk rebooting the character again the year after ASM2. They've got the Fox characters back permanently now. They've proven that they can make z-list characters household names, so why mess with the schedule? Make audiences fall in love with Nova and the Eternals, or whatever else they've got planned through to 2022, let the F4 and X-men rest a little, maybe seed in the odd cameo in other films and then in 2023/24 release the feature-length X-men and F4 films. The MCU is already in the strongest position it's ever been. The Fox properties honestly don't bring much to the brand's value right now. But in five or six years time they could provide some much-needed hype and fuel.

 

[ADollarADay]

I wonder if releasing FF before 2022 and starting principal photography before August 2021 would still allow for Constantine to distribute the movies in Austria and Germany. Those were never with Fox. I believe it would, but I'm not certain.

If that's the case then I think waiting to start principal photography until after that and releasing in say November 2022 is the cheapest and easiest way to do it while saving some money (i.e. they wouldn't need to buy out those rights) and it gives enough time to do things organically. Of course, they could start introducing characters and easter eggs before that.

 

[Dark Raven]

What's the rush though? With Spiderman, there was a very small window to strike that deal and get Spidey into the MCU. It was a huge risk rebooting the character again the year after ASM2. They've got the Fox characters back permanently now. They've proven that they can make z-list characters household names, so why mess with the schedule? Make audiences fall in love with Nova and the Eternals, or whatever else they've got planned through to 2022, let the F4 and X-men rest a little, maybe seed in the odd cameo in other films and then in 2023/24 release the feature-length X-men and F4 films. The MCU is already in the strongest position it's ever been. The Fox properties honestly don't bring much to the brand's value right now. But in five or six years time they could provide some much-needed hype and fuel.

But who wants that? It's like someone showing up for a date with a girl they really want to go out with, and then being told: "here, you try out this other girl for a while and maybe fall in love with her, and then you can have the other girl you really wanted in a few years time."

For those of us who love FF, we don't want to have to wait through Eternals and Nova. It's the FF we care about and want to see.

 

[Big Bang]

Both Disney and Marvel know there is pent up demand for Fantastic Four done right. It plays right into Disney's overarching branding as well. The Avengers have played out for a couple of years at this point, and now is perfect opportunity to push forward with a new team. FF would be perfect.

 

[Marvel united]

What's the rush though? With Spiderman, there was a very small window to strike that deal and get Spidey into the MCU. It was a huge risk rebooting the character again the year after ASM2. They've got the Fox characters back permanently now. They've proven that they can make z-list characters household names, so why mess with the schedule? Make audiences fall in love with Nova and the Eternals, or whatever else they've got planned through to 2022, let the F4 and X-men rest a little, maybe seed in the odd cameo in other films and then in 2023/24 release the feature-length X-men and F4 films. The MCU is already in the strongest position it's ever been. The Fox properties honestly don't bring much to the brand's value right now. But in five or six years time they could provide some much-needed hype and fuel.

Hell no, 2024 is 6 YEARS from now. These films all went into development before they got the rights back. Why wouldn't Feige want to play with the properties he's wanted since 2008? It is an open secret that Feige loves the X-Men and has wanted the mutants In the MCU for years. There's a lot more potential in these properties not only in box-office gross (because they have built-in fanbases) but also to expand the MCU. If Feige had access to the F4 & X-Men years earlier, we probably wouldn't be getting an Eternals film. The question is, what happens to Eternals now that he does have them? Who do you think is going to come first? The founding A-list Ips of Marvel (X-Men, F4) or a c-list unproven property? (Eternals)

 

[Detective Conan]

I do wonder if Feige will reconsider his stance on the X-Men & Fantastic Four coming years after Phase 4. I have to think he'd be very excited to have all these new toys to play with that can enrich his universe.


You can't tell me at least that Feige isn't salivating on the possibility of the first ever cinematic Thing vs Hulk fight? Feige has said he's had vague dreams and vague ideas on how to integrate Fantastic Four and X-Men into the MCU.

 

[Marvel united]

I do wonder if Feige will reconsider his stance on the X-Men & Fantastic Four coming years after Phase 4. I have to think he'd be very excited to have all these new toys to play with that can enrich his universe.


You can't tell me at least that Feige isn't salivating on the possibility of the first ever cinematic Thing vs Hulk fight? Feige has said he's had vague dreams and vague ideas on how to integrate Fantastic Four and X-Men into the MCU.

He is, haha. THR reported that insiders are saying that Feige is insanely excited to dive into the world of the X-Men and (likely the F4 as well)

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I wonder if releasing FF before 2022 and starting principal photography before August 2021 would still allow for Constantine to distribute the movies in Austria and Germany. Those were never with Fox. I believe it would, but I'm not certain.

If that's the case then I think waiting to start principal photography until after that and releasing in say November 2022 is the cheapest and easiest way to do it while saving some money (i.e. they wouldn't need to buy out those rights) and it gives enough time to do things organically. Of course, they could start introducing characters and easter eggs before that.

First off, Rise of the Silver Surfer was released in 2007 and principal photography on Fant4stic started in 2014, so they'd have to wait until after 2022 to even film anything.

And IF filming anything prior to late 2022 would extend Constantin's Germany and Austria distribution rights, that would presumably mean they couldn't use ANY FF characters without extending those rights. No Silver Surfer, no Doom, no Kang or Annihilus etc.

Sitting on all those rights for all that time just to prevent Constantin from having their distribution rights for Germany and Austria would be crazy. If they really want to cut them out, write Constantin a check. Otherwise let Constantin have their nut. But don't tie creative's hands and deny them all those characters over a few dollars.

 

[Boom]

He is, haha. THR reported that insiders are saying that Feige is insanely excited to dive into the world of the X-Men and (likely the F4 as well)

Can't imagine why.

Spoiler

 

[Protar]

But who wants that? It's like someone showing up for a date with a girl they really want to go out with, and then being told: "here, you try out this other girl for a while and maybe fall in love with her, and then you can have the other girl you really wanted in a few years time."

For those of us who love FF, we don't want to have to wait through Eternals and Nova. It's the FF we care about and want to see.

You can't just look at this from the perspective of a hardcore superhero fan, you've got to look at it from the point of view of a more average cinema goer, and a marketing pov.

Right now the MCU is stronger than ever after the hype of Infinity War, and that's only going to grow in 2019 with Captain Marvel and Avengers 4. Meanwhile, the Fox properties are pretty tired and worn out brands which could do with a break, and general audiences are reticent towards reboots. Right now, the MCU is in a very strong position without the Fox properties. Ergo, it's the perfect time to experiment with more obscure films and hopefully make those household names.

In five years time, the contracts of Cumberbatch, Boseman, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland etc. will be coming to an end, potentially (though hopefully not) some of the newer properties might not have done so well. That is the perfect time to bring out the big guns that are the X-men and F4, general audiences will be ready for a fresh take and that will give the MCU a by-then much-needed boost.

Long story short, there's no point wasting the hype the F4 and X-men can generate when we're already at maximum hype levels. Save those properties for a rainy day.

 

[wobbly]

I wonder if releasing FF before 2022 and starting principal photography before August 2021 would still allow for Constantine to distribute the movies in Austria and Germany. Those were never with Fox. I believe it would, but I'm not certain.

If that's the case then I think waiting to start principal photography until after that and releasing in say November 2022 is the cheapest and easiest way to do it while saving some money (i.e. they wouldn't need to buy out those rights) and it gives enough time to do things organically. Of course, they could start introducing characters and easter eggs before that.

If Constantin are still a factor I'd imagine Disney will cut them a cheque to be done with them rather than delay any progress on using FF characters until the timer runs out.

It's not like Constantin have any leverage. They can accept some cash now or get nothing later if Marvel do run down the clock.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

He is, haha. THR reported that insiders are saying that Feige is insanely excited to dive into the world of the X-Men and (likely the F4 as well)

As he should be

His job for the next decade+ just got a whole lot easier

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I don’t even wanna talk about that Constantin garbage

Nothing and no one is stopping Disney and marvel from making the next F4 film.

 

[Flint Marko]

He is, haha. THR reported that insiders are saying that Feige is insanely excited to dive into the world of the X-Men and (likely the F4 as well)

I didn't know that but it thrills me to no end. We have a lot to be excited about.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I suspect Feige has been frustrated for a quite a while with the huge gaping holes in his MCU.

Without Doom and Galactus and Reed Richards, the MCU isn't the Marvel universe.

Doom is the best, most important villain in the Marvel universe, Galactus is the most powerful 'villain' in the Marvel universe, and Reed Richards is the smartest character in the Marvel universe.

I feel like those three characters, more than all the other characters involved are vital because they define the extremes.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I don’t even wanna talk about that Constantin garbage

Nothing and no one is stopping Disney and marvel from making the next F4 film.

Why did you say that name!!!

 

[Detective Conan]

In a weird way it was sort of a good thing Marvel didn't have access to all their A-list characters like FF, Spider-Man, X-Men at the beginning because it forced them to work harder which unlike DC/Warner which has access to everything and anything DC but they're much less successful(never did in a million years did I expect a Guardians Of The Galaxy film to out-gross the first ever Justice League film). If Marvel had FF from the start would they even be able to pull it off well as they did with Guardians later on?

While I'm happy all the Marvel characters(well mostly) will be coming home(at last!) I will never say that I wish they were never sold off to other studios because I feel Feige wouldn't be good as his job as he is if he didn't work on those movies as an executive producer so he can learn what did and didn't work. Granted, I wish Fantastic Four would've come back to Marvel Studios much earlier after Rise Of The Silver Surfer came out that way we'd never had to have suffered through the abomination known as FFINO but besides that I'm mostly pleased with how things ended up.