Marvel showcase, plus 20th Century Fox rumors

The 2016 San Diego Comic-Con is only a few weeks away, taking place from July 21- 24. By now, most of the exhibitors, vendors and artists have been assigned a location and have prepared their agenda. For the bigger players, like Marvel, the preparations never seem to end. Marvel has already announced that Dr. Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 will have a major presence at the show. Scott Derrickson director of Dr. Strange and James Gunn the director of Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 are both confirmed to be there. Cast members for the films are expected to be there for a panel and Q&A session. Which cast members and what they'll reveal remains a mystery. With principle photography wrapped on both films, I'd expect to see a sneak peek, the second trailer for Dr. Strange, and maybe even a trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2. The squeal may still be several months from release on May 5th, but the timing is about right. The trailer for Dr. Strange was released back in April, several months before it's release on November 4th. Recently, Marvel announced that Luke Cage will also be at the 2016 SDCC. Show creators and cast members will be in attendance with a possible preview of the upcoming Netflix series, available September 30th. Cast and crew of Marvel's Agents of SHIELD will also attend, gearing up for their fourth season on ABC, this fall.

Beta Ray Bill

What else will Marvel reveal at the 2016 SDCC? Spider-Man Homecoming and Thor Ragnarok will start production in a few days, so it's highly doubtful any footage will be shown. However, Marvel could reveal some plot details, cast lists, and maybe design concepts. It was revealed yesterday that TV legend Tyne Daly joined the cast of Spider-Man Homecoming, in a yet unspecified role. And I'm still holding onto hope that Beta Ray Bill will be in Thor Ragnarok. The SDCC would be a great place to reveal both details.

The preparations go on and on, except for 20th Century Fox. They will not be attending the 2016 SDCC. Last year they effectively stole the show when the revealed an extended clip of Deadpool. Their next mutant movie, Wolverine 3, has just now started production and Fox most likely won't have anything ready. Wolverine Origins and The Wolverine were both so bad Wolverine 3 almost literally can't be any worse, but this is Fox.


Speaking of which. Rumors are again stirring that Marvel is in talks with 20th Century Fox to bring the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the marvel Cinematic Universe. Just like Marvel and Sony Pictures did with Spider-Man. Fatman on Batman producer, Matt Key, claims he has sources, and on a recent episode of Collider Heroes, he said.

“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…”

With the underwhelming critical and domestic box office performance of Age of Apocalypse, the confusing timeline, and the fact Fox is possibly about to lose four of its biggest stars I'd say Fox desperately wants in on the cash cow that is the MCU. Hugh Jackman has stated, Wolverine 3 will be his last film as the clawed Canadian. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence, (Professor X, Magneto, and Mystique respectively) all have their doubts about returning. Considering Fox shoehorns them into the center of a storyline they have no place in, the next X-Men movies without them would be exceptionally dismal.

After 16 years of lackluster, frustratingly unfaithful X-Men bummers the audience may have had enough. The seeming lack of interest in their mutant movies, in general, is worrisome and it sounds like Fox needs help making movies that people actually want to see. On average, an X-Men movie is scores about 70% on rotten tomatoes and will draw in around 73 million dollars on opening weekend. X-Men Age of Apocalypse was down 25 million from its predecessor X-Men Days of Future Past its first weekend. It seems that the hardcore comic book crowd will watch the movie it's opening week but the casual audience barely shows up. Let's not even get into the disastrous Fantastic Four reboot. Other than to say it provides more proof that 20th Century Fox can not make a good Marvel movie and they need help from Marvel and Disney. For years I've read about X-Men and Fantastic Four cast members wanting to work with the Avengers in the larger MCU, and now Matt Key has heard the same. It's been covered for years inducing my Marvel cant use the X-Men...post, that Marvel and 20th Century Fox do not get along. I don't think there is any truth to the rumor, it's more like wishful thinking by 20th Century Fox.

Just stop.