We've been expecting this news for last week or so, but apparently now it's official: 20th Century Fox is going to let their rights to the comic book character Daredevil expire, letting the superhero return home to Marvel Studios. The contract that Fox has with the character expires on October 10th.
Last week it was revealed that the two movie houses were sitting down to discuss the possibility of Fox having more time to get together a new movie version of the character. In exchange for the extension Marvel would get back characters such as Galactus and The Silver Surfer. Fox ended up turning down the offer because they are also in the middle of rebooting the Fantastic Four and don't want to hobble the potential future of the franchise (both Galactus and Silver Surfer are primarily known for their connection with the Fantastic Four).
Joe Carnahan had been working with Fox on an idea for the Daredevil reboot that would be darker and grittier than the Mark Steven Johnson film. Last night the director announced that the project was crumbling. It makes more sense when seen through the lens of today's news, which was first reported by Variety.
This is now the second major comic book character that Marvel Studios has gotten back since beginning to produce their own films. In 2010 Studio President Kevin Feige announced to the crowds at San Diego Comic Con that they had reacquired the rights to The Punisher, which were previously held by Lionsgate.
Perhaps one day the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and Ghost Rider will be allowed to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe too.
