Unlike the superheros of DC Comics, who are all owned in the movie world by Warner Bros., the characters in the Marvel Universe are spread throughout Hollywood. While Marvel Studios was able to make movies like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Incredible Hulk because they maintained the rights to those heroes, Spider-Man and Ghost Rider are both in the hands of Sony and Fox has control of the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Elektra, and more. Because of this complicated rights issue, it has sadly always looked like we would never see Spidey in an Avengers movie or Wolverine teaming up with Captain America. While we still have no idea if crossovers will ever be an option (keep your fingers crossed) today we find major developments between the studios.
Variety reports that Fox may end up making a deal with Marvel Studios that will allow them to move forward with plans for their upcoming Daredevil reboot provided Fox gives up the rights to some characters in the Fantastic Four universe. As of now, the reboot is in a state of flux as the studio has a plan for the project, but is in danger of missing the October 10th deadline that would result in the rights to the superhero going back to Marvel. According to the trade, Fox is interested in having Joe Carnahan directing a "Frank Miller-esque, hardcore 70s thriller" version of Daredevil, though no deals have yet been made.
In order to extend the deadline and stop the blind hero from going back to the comic book company, Fox may have to give up some of the characters they acquired when they purchased the rights to the Fantastic Four. Sources close to the studios say that the key figures that Marvel is interested in are Galactus, the supervillain with a penchant for devouring worlds, and Silver Surfer. Both characters previously appeared on screen in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, but fans both rejected the movie and the way that Galactus was presented (which was basically a space cloud). Neither studio would comment on the talks, but it would seem that it is now Fox's move. They can either choose to abandon their plans for Daredevil, or give up key characters in the Fantastic Four franchise (which they are also currently planning on rebooting with Chronicle director Josh Trank). So here is the question I will pose to all of you: would you rather see Marvel Studios get back Daredevil or characters like Galactus and Silver Surfer?
