Disney acquires rights to 'Indiana Jones' Franchise. The implications for WDW?

[lebeau]

Again, I've heard that time is running out on FF. Apparently, they have to start production by sometime before the end of 2014 or they lose the rights.

They aren't going to let that happen. They just announced plans to integrate the FF with the X-Men movies in a shared universe. They want to be like Marvel. Letting Daredevil revert back to Marvel is one thing. But they won't allow FF to revert. No way.

 

[Matt_Black]

They aren't going to let that happen. They just announced plans to integrate the FF with the X-Men movies in a shared universe. They want to be like Marvel. Letting Daredevil revert back to Marvel is one thing. But they won't allow FF to revert. No way.

They want to, yes, but they need to get moving. They've got less than a year to start production. If they don't meet certain goalposts at certain times, they WILL lose the rights. No amount of "wanting" is going to change that. So far, the only news is that they've hired some guy to develop a universe for the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. However, considering that they'd already had someone hired to do that (Mark Millar) says to me that they've taken a step back instead of making steps to go forward.

 

[lebeau]

They want to, yes, but they need to get moving. They've got less than a year to start production. If they don't meet certain goalposts at certain times, they WILL lose the rights. No amount of "wanting" is going to change that. So far, the only news is that they've hired some guy to develop a universe for the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. However, considering that they'd already had someone hired to do that (Mark Millar) says to me that they've taken a step back instead of making steps to go forward.

Not that I don't believe the 2014 deadline, but I have yet to see that confirmed by a truly reliable source. That sort of smells like an internet rumor. Not sure how valid it is. Have you seen this reported by any mainstream entertainment media?

It's possible Fox could blow a deadline. But I suspect it is more likely they would pull a Roger Coreman if they have to. It's highly unlikely they will let those rights revert. Especially given the success they have had with two marginal FF movies in the past.

 

[Matt_Black]

It's possible Fox could blow a deadline. But I suspect it is more likely they would pull a Roger Coreman if they have to.

Ah, no. Oh, they can certainly try, but Marvel does have a right of refusal. If it appears that Fox is making slapping together a movie without the intent to release it but just to keep the rights, then Marvel can say, "No."

 

[lebeau]

Ah, no. Oh, they can certainly try, but Marvel does have a right of refusal. If it appears that Fox is making slapping together a movie without the intent to release it but just to keep the rights, then Marvel can say, "No."

After researching further, no credible source has confirmed the 2014 deadline. It looks like wishful thinking on the part of a Marvel fan. There have been several Fantastic Four related stories in the mainstream entertainment media lately and not a single one mentions any kind of creeping deadline. Surely that would be part of these stories if it was true. Especially in light of Fox letting the Daredevil rights revert. Even the possibility of that was widely reported for over a year before it happened. I'm calling BS on that rumor.

 

[Matt_Black]

After researching further, no credible source has confirmed the 2014 deadline. It looks like wishful thinking on the part of a Marvel fan. There have been several Fantastic Four related stories in the mainstream entertainment media lately and not a single one mentions any kind of creeping deadline. Surely that would be part of these stories if it was true. Especially in light of Fox letting the Daredevil rights revert. Even the possibility of that was widely reported for over a year before it happened. I'm calling BS on that rumor.

7 years after the release of the last Fantastic Four movie. That would put it at 2014.

 

[lebeau]

7 years after the release of the last Fantastic Four movie. That would put it at 2014.

I suspect that's how someone came up with the notion. But it's purely conjecture. If this was really a looming deadline, it would be reported in Variety, Deadline and EW. Not comicbook.com and message boards.

Btw, Daredevil was released in 2003. The rights reverted in 2013. That's 10 years. Where is this seven year theory coming from?

Edit: Never mind. I found the source:

The logic goes that the rights will revert back to Marvel/Disney if the next movie isn’t in active production by seven years after the release date of Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which may be true–but it also may simply be speculation based on the fact that seven years was the widely-reported window that Fox had to keep the rights in the past–which led to the notoriously-bad Roger Corman film based on the characters.

So, speculation.

 

[Matt_Black]

Well, let's look at it this way- reports are that Fox would like to get FF in theaters by 2015 or 2016. What have they done towards that? They'd need a director (which they don't appear to have), a script (which they don't appear to have) and a cast (which they definitely don't have). All they've done is hire a guy to talk about connecting the X-Men and FF franchises, but, as noted they HAD a guy to do that already. The fact that they keep changing ships mid-direction (which is exactly what they did with trying to reboot Daredevil, if I recall correctly) doesn't fill me with confidence that they have anything but intentions at this point, and you need more than intentions to get a film into theaters. If they keep dragging their heels, then it's not a question of IF the rights will go back to Marvel, it's a question of when.

 

[Beholder]

Seems a bit of a forced issue to put X-Men and FF into the same movie/universe. I know that in the MU that they "exist" side by side, but having both groups interact without consideration for the Avengers would be strange. Members of the X-Men and FF have at one time or another have been part of the Avengers. I personally would like to see any sort of universe sharing start with the Avengers. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Matt_Black]

Seems a bit of a forced issue to put X-Men and FF into the same movie/universe. I know that in the MU that they "exist" side by side, but having both groups interact without consideration for the Avengers would be strange. Members of the X-Men and FF have at one time or another have been part of the Avengers. I personally would like to see any sort of universe sharing start with the Avengers. Just my 2 cents.

That's the other thing. The X-Men and the FF aren't well connected. You had Wolverine on the team as part of a metatextual joke (it was the 90s, and Spidey, Wolvie, the Hulk and Ghost Rider replaced everyone, with the joke being that each of those guys were used VERY often for guest spots, so why not slap them onto a title?), you've got some other connections, but they aren't as strong as say Avengers/ X-Men or Spidey/ FF.

They exist in the same setting, but the tones of each title don't really lend themselves well to frequent team-ups.

 

[lebeau]

Seems a bit of a forced issue to put X-Men and FF into the same movie/universe. I know that in the MU that they "exist" side by side, but having both groups interact without consideration for the Avengers would be strange. Members of the X-Men and FF have at one time or another have been part of the Avengers. I personally would like to see any sort of universe sharing start with the Avengers. Just my 2 cents.

That's the other thing. The X-Men and the FF aren't well connected. You had Wolverine on the team as part of a metatextual joke (it was the 90s, and Spidey, Wolvie, the Hulk and Ghost Rider replaced everyone, with the joke being that each of those guys were used VERY often for guest spots, so why not slap them onto a title?), you've got some other connections, but they aren't as strong as say Avengers/ X-Men or Spidey/ FF.

They exist in the same setting, but the tones of each title don't really lend themselves well to frequent team-ups.

I don't disagree. I think Fox is just looking for any way to create an Avengers style franchise. Can't really blame them. The X-Men would work if more of the characters could support their own movies. But once you get past Wolverine, there aren't a whole lot of characters who can anchor a movie alone.

My guess is that Fox intends to use FF villains in X-Men movies. Let the X-Men fight Galactus or Dr. Doom. That kind of thing. If they start developing all the X-Men's space adventures, the FF fit better into that sort of thing. But it's not the most natural of fits.

 

[lebeau]

Well, let's look at it this way- reports are that Fox would like to get FF in theaters by 2015 or 2016. What have they done towards that? They'd need a director (which they don't appear to have), a script (which they don't appear to have) and a cast (which they definitely don't have). All they've done is hire a guy to talk about connecting the X-Men and FF franchises, but, as noted they HAD a guy to do that already. The fact that they keep changing ships mid-direction (which is exactly what they did with trying to reboot Daredevil, if I recall correctly) doesn't fill me with confidence that they have anything but intentions at this point, and you need more than intentions to get a film into theaters. If they keep dragging their heels, then it's not a question of IF the rights will go back to Marvel, it's a question of when.

Agreed. But you are waaaaaay jumping the gun. We have no idea whether or not the clock is even ticking. It's still a matter of IF. Heck, we're not even to IF yet. When it becomes a matter of IF, Deadline will make a big deal out of the ticking clock. If it becomes a matter of WHEN, there will be a lot of digital ink spilled. There were lots of stories leading up to the Daredevil rights reverting. Deadline ran stories for an entire year that grew increasingly desperate. So far, no one but fanboys has even speculated about the FF rights reverting.

IF it does happen, it would be a major screwup on the part of Fox. I can see why they let Daredevil revert. It was a tricky property with a poor track record. FF can be a tricky property to do right. But Fox has proven that even a halfway decent family super hero movie will suffice. If those rights revert, someone's head will roll.

I'm not going to say it won't happen. But it is highly unlikely. And there is no evidence whatsoever that it's time to start speculating about the possibility.

 

[Bairstow]

I don't disagree. I think Fox is just looking for any way to create an Avengers style franchise. Can't really blame them. The X-Men would work if more of the characters could support their own movies. But once you get past Wolverine, there aren't a whole lot of characters who can anchor a movie alone.

Magneto could.
I would totally pay to watch an entire movie of Michael Fassbinder hunting nazis in Brazil.

 

[Matt_Black]

Magneto could.
I would totally pay to watch an entire movie of Michael Fassbinder hunting nazis in Brazil.

Deadpool could do, I think. It is a small list, though.

 

[lebeau]

Magneto could.
I would totally pay to watch an entire movie of Michael Fassbinder hunting nazis in Brazil.

Deadpool could do, I think. It is a small list, though.

Magneto and Deadpool are the two top contenders. Too bad they messed up Deadpool in the Wolverine movie. Not that he can't be fixed, but man did they make a mess of that.

I could watch Fassbinder read the phone book. But sure, a Magneto movie would work if done right.

I could also see them doing team-up movies. Lots of options. Just fewer solo stars than the Avengers.

 

[Beholder]

Magneto and Deadpool are the two top contenders. Too bad they messed up Deadpool in the Wolverine movie. Not that he can't be fixed, but man did they make a mess of that.

I could watch Fassbinder read the phone book. But sure, a Magneto movie would work if done right.

I could also see them doing team-up movies. Lots of options. Just fewer solo stars than the Avengers.

Yes, Deadpool was more of a joke than he is in the comic. I think the team up idea is a solid way of introducing more of the MU to the general public. Do something maybe like the old Marvel Team-Up. Even they aren't X-Men, I think Power Man and Iron Fist has A LOT of potential. Buddy cop type movie. Lethal Weapon with powers.

I feel like I've helped geek up this thread. And I apologize.

 

[Matt_Black]

Magneto and Deadpool are the two top contenders. Too bad they messed up Deadpool in the Wolverine movie. Not that he can't be fixed, but man did they make a mess of that.

I could watch Fassbinder read the phone book. But sure, a Magneto movie would work if done right.

I could also see them doing team-up movies. Lots of options. Just fewer solo stars than the Avengers.

I've heard that some of the properties that are tangentially related to the X-Franchise, such as Cable or Ka-Zar, aren't actually included with Fox's film rights to X-Men, so some of the other characters that could conceivably carry a film outside of the team aren't actually available to them. For example, though it's not a solo title, Big Hero 6 is definitely an X-Men spin-off, and that is obviously not included.

Regarding the using FF villains in X-movies, I don't buy that. The only two villains you've really got to play with are Dr. Doom and Galactus, and the latter doesn't really work for the X-Men- they've fought alien menaces, but they rarely do cosmic menaces (and that's not just semantics at play). Otherwise, you've got villains that don't really make sense for the X-Men to fight (Annihilus), villains that are too tied to the FF to work (the Frightful Four), or villains that no studio exec is going to green light for a big-budget picture like this (Diablo). In fact, some of the FF villains fit 2 or more of those criteria (Paste Pot Pete, anybody?).

 

[lebeau]

Yes, Deadpool was more of a joke than he is in the comic. I think the team up idea is a solid way of introducing more of the MU to the general public. Do something maybe like the old Marvel Team-Up. Even they aren't X-Men, I think Power Man and Iron Fist has A LOT of potential. Buddy cop type movie. Lethal Weapon with powers.

I feel like I've helped geek up this thread. And I apologize.

This thread was geeked up from the first post. But it has devolved into total geekdom. I don't think it can be geeked any further unless someone brings up Dr. Who. Ooops.

I could see them doing movies with The Thing and <fill in the blank> or something along those lines. But first, they need to raise awareness of some of these characters with a great FF reboot. If the FF reboot is lackluster, you're really back to just the X-Men franchise.

I've heard that some of the properties that are tangentially related to the X-Franchise, such as Cable or Ka-Zar, aren't actually included with Fox's film rights to X-Men, so some of the other characters that could conceivably carry a film outside of the team aren't actually available to them. For example, though it's not a solo title, Big Hero 6 is definitely an X-Men spin-off, and that is obviously not included.

Regarding the using FF villains in X-movies, I don't buy that. The only two villains you've really got to play with are Dr. Doom and Galactus, and the latter doesn't really work for the X-Men- they've fought alien menaces, but they rarely do cosmic menaces (and that's not just semantics at play). Otherwise, you've got villains that don't really make sense for the X-Men to fight (Annihilus), villains that are too tied to the FF to work (the Frightful Four), or villains that no studio exec is going to green light for a big-budget picture like this (Diablo). In fact, some of the FF villains fit 2 or more of those criteria (Paste Pot Pete, anybody?).

I get the impression you have a rooting interest against Fox. Am I wrong?

I'm not sure about who Fox does or doesn't have under the agreement. I can't really see them doing a Ka-Zar movie anyway. I would imagine most of the X-characters that fall oustide their rights are too obscure to matter. I remember someone talking about a Cable movie at some point. But I can't remember if it was Fox or some other studio. Regardless, they have enough characters that the minor ones who may not be included shouldn't be an issue.

Anyone know where the Inhumans stand?

What's to buy about having the X-Men fight Dr. Doom? Seems like a no-brainer to me. I would imagine if Galactus came into play, it would be the FF and X-Men teamed up. Again, nothing really to buy.

Beyond them, the FF don't have a lot of bad guys worth crossing over. And the X-Men have a pretty impressive list of bad guys too. So not a lot of point pitting the X-Men against minor FF characters.

Bottom line: Fox has options. There are lots of things they could potentially do. But it's all going to hinge on execution. Before the first Iron Man movie, he was considered a C-lister. Now he's one of the most popular super heroes around. To a lesser extent, the same goes for Thor and Cap. Fox needs to make movies that make people feel the same way about the FF and X-Men (who aren't Wolverine). If they can do that, the sky is the limit. If not, they will not duplicate Marvel's success.

 

[lebeau]

Well, let's look at it this way- reports are that Fox would like to get FF in theaters by 2015 or 2016. What have they done towards that? They'd need a director (which they don't appear to have), a script (which they don't appear to have) and a cast (which they definitely don't have).

According to Deadline, they have a script, a director and a release date:

Fox‘s Fantastic Four reboot will open on June 19, 2015 — a prime summer release and more than three months later than its initial March 6 date, the studio announced today. Chronicle‘s Josh Trank is directing from a script by Jeremy Slater.

 

[CDavid]

I don't think it can be geeked any further unless someone brings up Dr. Who.

The UK pavilion really needs a Library (as in Silence in the Library), with The Doctor as curator, and a device that goes *ding* to download comics from the future.