There are whispers that 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios over at Disney are quietly putting out feelers, seeing if there’s a chance to connect their mutual Marvel properties for epic crossover purposes. This rumor has been floating around the internet for a while. However, a recent revelation got comic book movie fans very excited that it might really be happening.
According to ComicBook.com , Fatman on Batman podcast producer Matt Key claimed his “little birds” heard that Fox and Marvel might be in “early talks” for making something happen in the future.
“I’ve heard from a few of my sources, my little birds, that Fox and Marvel have kind of talked, but not really, but there’s interest from Fox,” Fatman on Batman podcast producer Matt Key told Collider in the video posted above. “We’re years from that ever possibly happening, but I think that’s what it would take, is Fox joining hands with Marvel” to bring the franchises together.”
The quote is an interesting one as it provides a couple of key takeaways.
First, it proves that Fox was paying attention to the success of the Sony/Marvel partnership that revitalized the Spider-Man movie franchise. Left with a waning product, a previously isolated Sony was willing to turn over creative control to Marvel. That left Marvel the unique opportunity to bring Spidey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character’s appearance in Captain America: Civil War was something no one saw coming just a few short years ago. And yet it was a roaring success!
Thanks to featuring in the Marvel film, there’s heightened buzz for Spider-Man: Homecoming . It’s now possible that Sony may be able to reach further into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to help flesh out Spider-Man’s on-screen rogue gallery and movie universe. The ability to do so will help Sony avoid having to hit the dreaded reboot button. Failed reboots are something Fox is all too familiar with thanks to its disastrous attempt to relaunch the Fantastic Four movies in 2015.
Flops Like ‘Fantastic Four,’ ‘Pixels’ Keep Third Quarter #BoxOffice Record Out of Reach http://t.co/EVDvgpaTP0 pic.twitter.com/EvLhUqtPvh
— Movio (@MovioHQ) October 6, 2015
Second, such an observation Fox might follow Sony’s example, seeking help Marvel in an effort to revive the comatose Fantastic Four films.
Audiences roundly rejected the 2015 reboot, which was probably the worst reviewed comic book film in movie history. Making things even more complicated is the departure of the franchise’s Johnny Storm, Michael B. Jordan. Jordan was recently cast in upcoming Black Panther movie alongside Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong’o . Interestingly, Michael is the second Human Torch to be spirited away by Fox. Captain America actor Chris Evans had the role before jumping studios about five years ago.
Things are tricky for Fox. Rebooting the franchise again probably won’t work, but the studio no doubt wants to avoid losing the rights to a slew of Marvel properties. Fortunately for Fox, Marvel seems to be quite comfortable leaving property rights alone — if they can still profit from having the characters as part of their cinematic universe.
Although some fans hope an Avengers/X-Men-type crossover could happen at some point, all signs seem to point to the Fantastic Four joining the MCU in the future.
What signs are those? Specifically, Marvel’s work to expand the “cosmic” region of its cinematic universe. A Guardians of the Galaxy sequel is on the way, as is a Captain Marvel film. Both these films will likely take place away from Earth. Doctor Strange will broach the subject of magic and alternate dimensions. Space, magic, and the existence of “alternate realms” are themes have already been broached via the Thor movies.
And yet, there are notable characters — Galactus and the Silver Surfer , for instance — that are unavailable thanks to Fox. If Marvel wants to further expand the cosmic area of its cinematic universe, it will need Fox. Likewise, if Fox wants to bring Fantastic Four back from the dead (without a risky reboot), teaming up with Marvel Studios represents the best possible option.
Rumor: Marvel Studios & 20th Century Fox Are Considering Some Kind of Crossover https://t.co/84HZQbXSaI pic.twitter.com/pU6rgwgRxr
— /Film (@slashfilm) June 25, 2016
As with Sony, there’s a chance that Marvel would “reward” Fox by offering them at least one prominent character to play with.
If working together were to prove highly beneficial, who knows? We might see a hilarious Marvel cameo in a future Deadpool movie. For now, it’s all speculation but there’s always a reason to be hopeful. The existence of Spider-Man: Homecoming — featuring Iron Man — is proof of that.
Do you think Marvel and Fox will talk a crossover event in the future? Share your thoughts as to why or why not below!
[Image via 20th Century Fox, Marvel Entertainment]