A new dawn appears for Marvel Studios as The Incredible Hulk comes smashing its way to Disney+ on June 16. Initially released and distributed by Universal Pictures, the movie rights witness a notable shift after 15 years. Universal Pictures finally reverted the rights to Marvel Studios leading to the film’s release on Disney+.
While Hulk and Namor movie rights were together sold to Universal Pictures, Marvel fans rejoice at the return of Hulk to Disney as it gives hope for Namor as well. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever anti-hero, Namor the Submariner, became a fan-favorite awaiting a stand-alone movie, while hoping for its rights to be reverted by Universal Pictures.
Marvel Awaits Namor’s Movie Rights While Hulk Returns
Marvel Studios lights up with excitement as Universal Pictures reverts The Incredible Hulk movie rights to them. Disney+ announced the joyous news via Twitter on June 15th, in celebration of the rights to the title after 15 long years. Although the movie was initially released and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film’s release on Disney+, reverted its rights officially to Marvel.
However, amid such an auspicious and highly awaited event, the Studio still looks out for Namor’s movie rights that were sold along with Hulk to Universal Pictures. Both Namor and Hulk were initially two characters under Disney that had their intellectual property and distribution rights sold to Universal Pictures. However, following the release of Hulk movie rights from the shackles of Universal, Marvel looks forward to getting back Namor as well.
Smashing news. 👊💥 Marvel Studios’ The Incredible #Hulk arrives tomorrow on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/r5rfWH4COM
— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) June 15, 2023
Namor the Sub-Mariner debuted publicly in Marvel Comics in 1939 and has been one of the most popular anti-hero characters in the comics. Further, with Tenoch Huerta delivering a prominent onscreen appearance of the character in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, fans went gaga over him. Waiting to see more of Namor, fans even wished for a stand-alone movie for the character. However, with its rights being under Universal Pictures, MCU failed to provide Namor with a pivotal role or even a solo movie.
Fans Wait For Namor’s Return Amid Tenoch Huerta’s Case
As Disney+ announced the news of Hulk movie rights being reverted to Marvel Studios, fans celebrated the news with utmost excitement while waiting for Namor to return. Desperate to witness Tenoch Huerta’s Namor appear as a pivotal character, fans even initiated speculations regarding the same.
However, while fans so desperately wait for Namor’s rights to be reverted to Marvel, it appears strikingly difficult for the Studio to create a solo movie, even if they get the character under the banner. Following Tenoch Huerta’s alleged s*xual assault allegations, the actor’s career appears to be in great danger. While for MCU, as they are already dealing with another assault accuser Jonathan Majors, the Studio currently appears unwilling to associate with the same.
Over the course of time, Marvel Studios appears to be getting entangled in bigger issues than mere movie rights. The Studio is getting incessantly filled with actors and actresses with legal cases tagged behind them. However, as the Hulk movie rights get back under the safe zone of Marvel, fans debate amongst them over Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo while hoping for the Studio to create solo Hulk movies.
