Here's the thing, though: Every MCU project to feature Ruffalo as the uncontrollable rage monster in the torn purple pants have not been standalone Hulk adventures. Why? Because Universal Pictures still owns the screen rights to the classic character.

How long will Universal own Hulk?

As such, this suggests that the distribution rights for The Incredible Hulk would be set to revert to Marvel in June of 2023, based upon the movie's June release date in 2008. However, public comment hasn't been made, and recent comments from MCU leadership and Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo haven't cleared things up either.

Who owns the rights to Hulk?

Universal Pictures actually owns the rights to any movies focusing solely on Hulk, predating Disney's 2009 acquisition of Marvel Studios, meaning that Universal has the right of first refusal to distribute any solo Hulk movies.

Did Universal lose Hulk rights?

Banner goes on the run from the military while attempting to cure himself of the Hulk. Peter Menzies Jr. After the mixed reception to Universal's 2003 film Hulk, Marvel Studios reacquired the rights to the character, though Universal retained distribution rights.

Is Disney getting the rights to Hulk?

Now, in a notable shift, the rights have reverted to Marvel Studios, leading to the film's release on Disney+.

BREAKING Universal Loses HULK Marvel Rights

Why was Hulk removed from Disney?

The Incredible Hulk was once missing from the Disney Plus library of Marvel Studios projects. However, the Green Goliath's lone solo movie in the MCU is finally premiering on the service. When Disney acquired Marvel, they only got the film and TV rights to characters that Marvel did not already sell to other studios.

Why can't Disney use Hulk?

Similarly, with Namor, Marvel could make a TV series focused on Talokan, where the character appears but is not the protagonist. So, while Disney owns the rights to the characters Namor and the Hulk, Marvel's pre-existing deal with Universal locks down the distribution rights, possibly in perpetuity.

Why won't Universal give up Hulk?

The Incredible Hulk was released before Marvel was purchased by Disney, and the film was originally distributed by Universal Pictures. While Marvel still has rights over the character and is technically allowed to make a Hulk solo film, Universal would get first refusal for any project.

Will Universal lose the rights to Marvel?

Universal Orlando Can Keep Marvel Licensing in Perpetuity

With so many successful Disney-produced Marvel films being released, it's not likely that Comcast will ever give up that contract.

What Marvel characters does Disney not own?

What Marvel Is Not Owned By Disney? One of the biggest Marvel names not owned by Disney is Spider-Man. When Disney first acquired Marvel in 2009, Spider-Man wasn't part of the package deal. Sony Pictures had already snagged the film rights to the web-slinger back in 1999, which meant they had full creative control.

What Marvel characters does Universal own?

I assume you mean owns the movie rights too, because all Marvel characters are owned by Marvel. Sony owns the rights to all Spider-Man and Spider-Man related characters, which is around 900 characters. Universal owns the distribution rights to the Hulk and to Namor.

Is Marvel owned by Disney?

Disney (DIS) bought Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in late 2009, bringing an entire multiverse of IP with them. While some have criticized the quality of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) as of late, there is no debate that the entertainment company has dominated the box office across the globe for many years.

Does Disney own Universal?

Universal City Studios LLC, doing business as Universal Pictures (informally as Universal Studios or also known simply as Universal) is an American film production and distribution company, a division of Universal Studios, which is owned by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast. U.S.

Who owns the rights to Ghost Rider?

For years, Sony had the the live-action rights to the Spirit of Vengeance. Sony produced the two Ghost Rider movies starring Nicolas Cage. Eventually, however, the rights reverted to Marvel Studios.

How long will Universal have Marvel?

The agreement remains in perpetuity (aka good faith), or indefinitely, unless Universal decides to close the Marvel Universe area, stop making payments for property usage, or Marvel opts out of the contract providing that it needs a reasonable explanation that Universal is mishandling the usage of their property.

Will Hulk ever get his own movie?

Mark Ruffalo says another standalone Hulk movie would be too expensive. “I'd love to do a standalone Hulk, I just don't think that's ever going to happen,” the actor said, going on to add that bringing the Hulk to life is a costly endeavor.

Why is there no Hulk 2?

Complicated Film Rights with Universal Pictures

Since Marvel was financing the film this allowed them to use the Hulk in other projects like the planned film The Avengers. Universal retains the right of first refusal to distribute any future solo Hulk movies.

Why can t Hulk change in Infinity War?

A Marvel fan seems to have figured out the real reason why Bruce Banner—played by Mark Ruffalo—could not transform into Hulk at will in last year's Avengers: Infinity War. Hulk was being too difficult to control for Bruce Banner in Avengers: Infinity War.

Will Hulk ever be angry again?

So while the MCU's Hulk may never go back to being angry the same way he was before, Bruce has a new set of personal demons to deal with that can have lasting repercussions on the MCU.

How did Disney Plus get Hulk?

The Incredible Hulk has arrived on Disney+

Because Universal had produced and released Ang Lee's Hulk movie in 2003, the studio retained the cinematic rights to the character at a time when Marvel was just beginning to make its big screen plans.

Why can t Hulk turn back into banner?

While Banner turning into the Hulk is caused by stress, Hulk turns back into Banner when he calms down. A side effect of that is that Banner goes through a cool-down period and can't Hulk out right away again.

Does Universal own Spider-Man?

Originally Answered: Why was Spiderman a character at Universal Studios despite the fact that film rights were owned by Sony? You answered your own question. The film rights were owned by Sony, the rights to use the character for an amusement park attraction were not. It's common for such rights to be sold separately.

Who owned Marvel before Disney?

On January 6, 1989, Ronald Perelman's MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings bought Marvel Entertainment Group from New World for $82.5 million. The deal did not include Marvel Productions, which was folded into New World's TV and movie business. "It is a mini-Disney in terms of intellectual property," said Perelman.

Why does Sony own Spider-Man?

The courts determined that the original contract of Marvel's rights to Golan had expired, returning the rights to Marvel, but the matter was still not completely resolved. In 1999, Marvel licensed Spider-Man rights to Columbia, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment.