Could we actually see Hugh Jackman as Wolverine fight alongside Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Black Panther, and others? Not likely, due to Jackman’s commitment to retiring from playing the character after next year’s Wolverine 3. However, the possibility of an X-Men, Fantastic Four, Avengers crossover later down the road is in the realm of possibility.
Let’s rewind.
A little over a year ago, I would’ve thought “no chance in hell” that we could see other studios with Marvel properties (Fox, Sony, Universal) crossover with Marvel studios. Fox was enjoying their franchise’s highest success with X-Men: Days of Future Past. Meanwhile, Sony was too stubborn to admit their failures, repeatedly stating their plans of Amazing Spider-Man 3 and Sinister Six spin-off was moving forward as planned. But then the deal between Sony & Marvel for Spider-Man happened, and the results were never better (Captain America: Civil War). Could this finally open the eyes of Fox studio heads, and inform them the term “collaboration” isn’t so bad? This latest rumor about possible behind closed door conversations between the two studios might get fans further excited.
THE RUMOR (via. Matt Key on a recent episode of Collider Heroes):
“I’ve heard from a few of my sources, my little birds, that Fox and Marvel have… kind of talked, but not really, but like there’s interest from Fox, like, ‘Ooh, y’know, what they did with Sony and Spider-Man is actually pretty cool, like, maybe…’ We’re years away from that ever possibly happening… but I think that’s what it would take… Fox joining hands with Marvel…”
Matt Key is the host of Marvel Movie News, which is a Youtube podcast dedicated to everything Marvel Movies. Its tough to say how legit his sources are. As someone who’s followed rumors and scoops over the past two years, this is the first time I can remember Key dropping a rumor.
Galactis, Doctor Doom, and Silver Surfer
As for the rumor itself, there are a number of ways a Fox/Marvel collaboration can take place. As many of you know, last year’s Fantastic Four was a complete failure, and destroyed Fox’s plans for a crossover with their X-Men property for 2018. This is now the second time the studio has ruined a film adaptation of Marvel’s First Family, and although X-Men films producer Simon Kinberg says there are plans for sequel, I can’t imagine the studio have much confidence in a third attempt at getting Fantastic Four correct. Where the interest lies for Marvel is the villains within the Fantastic Four story lines. Some of the strongest villains from Marvel comics come from that part of the universe, with characters like Doctor Doom, Galactis, and Molecule Man. Sure, Marvel has plenty other options after Thanos, but none are as big as a Galactis.
As for the X-Men property, its may take a few more years (and a few more flops) before Fox likely considers joining forces. At the moment, the studio has Deadpool 2, X-Men: New Mutants, X-Force, and Gambit on its development slate. These projects likely keep the studio busy going into the next decade. Also, X-Men: Apocalypse partially served as a reboot for the universe, introducing us to a new Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Jubilee, and Nightcrawler. I loved every one of these characters, and if I’m Fox studios, I plan on taking full advantage of the multi-picture contracts these actors signed.
So a Fox/Marvel collaboration is absolutely possible, but it might not be two entire universes coming together. And although Sony has allowed Marvel to take creative control with their Spider-Man character, its unlikely Fox will be as willing with their X-Men property, but Fantastic Four remains a strong possibility.
header image via. IGN
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