Prior to Disney's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment, movies like Captain America: The First Avenger and Iron Man were distributed by Paramount Pictures. That all changed with The Avengers in 2012, though The Hulk has remained tied to Universal Pictures (the studio which released 2003's Hulk and The Incredible Hulk in 2008).
While the Green Goliath has been able to co-star in movies like Avengers: Endgame and Thor: Ragnarok, Marvel Studios and Disney are prohibited from releasing a Hulk movie...unless it's through Universal.
Yesterday, we learned that The Incredible Hulk has suddenly been added to Disney+, news which has been welcomed by MCU fans.
According to a new report from Variety, there's a good reason the blockbuster has a new streaming home. As expected, Universal's original deal with Marvel Entertainment has now ended. The Incredible Hulk was released on June 13, 2008 with the rights to that title held by the studio for an agreed-upon 15-year period.
As the trade explains, "in a notable shift, the rights have reverted to Marvel Studios, leading to the film’s release on Disney+."
This almost certainly means that Marvel Studios can now forge ahead with a new movie as Universal's right to distribute the franchise has also ended. We're sure Kevin Feige knew this was coming, hence why Captain America: Brave New World will feature General Ross, The Leader, and Betty Ross.
The stage is clearly being set for that long-rumoured World War Hulk project, though how it will fit into plans for the wider Multiverse Saga remains to be seen. Don't be surprised if some details are shared at Comic-Con next month, though!
What are your hopes for The Hulk in theaters moving forward? Is it time for him to once again take on a lead role after being relegated to a supporting player? Share your thoughts below.
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