Fox/Marvel in talks for character swap as Daredevil deadline approaches

October 10.

That is the absolute deadline for Fox to start filming Daredevil before the rights for the character reverts back to Marvel. Variety is reporting that Fox and Marvel are in talks for a tradeoff that would extend the deadline past October 10. Fox is currently talking with A-Team director Joe Carnahan to direct, what Fox is calling, a “Frank Miller-esque, hardcore 70s thriller” for the man without fear. Fox has yet to give an official offer to Carnahan, but industry sources have said that Carnahan is the director that Fox wants. The only problem is with no director signed and no pre-production work done on Daredevil, there is absolutely no way that a movie can start shooting by the October 10 deadline.

This is where Marvel comes in.

Marvel is willing to offer Fox a deadline extension in exchange for the rights to use characters from the Fantastic Four universe, including the rights to use Galactus and Silver Surfer. Rumor is that Marvel has eyed Galactus for a key role in future Marvel movies. For those that do not know, the addition of these two characters would be HUGE for the Marvel cinematic universe. Galactus and Silver Surfer play a big role in the Infinity Gauntlet saga, and at the same time it opens up many doors for Marvel in its cosmic universe. Marvel can start thinking of creating a movie about the Annihilation saga, War of Kings, The Thanos Imperative, and even an Annihilators (Marvel cosmic’s answer to the Avengers) movie as well!

I’m the first to admit that I would want any major character rights to revert back to Marvel. When a deal like this comes around I would rather take this deal and have Marvel retain the rights to their cosmic characters and let Fox keep Daredevil. The offer is now in Fox’s court, and it is up to them to negotiate a deal or let the rights to Daredevil revert back to Marvel. Also, remember if the deal falls through, just revel in the fact that Marvel has been talking with other studios regarding the usage of characters *coughs* Spider-Man *coughs*

Source: Variety