Why Isn't Marvel Studios the Owner of X-Men and Fantastic Four?

For a considerable period, Marvel Studios did not hold the ownership rights to the X-Men or the Fantastic Four. In fact, they barely retained control over Spider-Man. This is a bit puzzling, given Marvel's status as a leading figure in the superhero industry. The history behind this complex situation goes back to the 1990s when Marvel Comics were in financial distress. With the comic book medium facing diminishing popularity and major publishers struggling to stay afloat, Marvel was forced to make a desperate move. They sold the rights to some of their most iconic properties to 20th Century Fox and Sony. In the case of Spider-Man, Marvel sold the movie rights to Sony, while Fox acquired the rights to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four.

The Financial Rescue

This decision was a last resort to keep Marvel afloat. It allowed the company to continue their operations. However, just a decade later, when Marvel decided to tap into the profits of the superhero movie boom, they had a significant problem: they no longer owned the rights to what could have been their biggest franchises. Marvel had to start with a patchwork of B-list heroes and teams, leveraging the success of Iron Man and eventually coalescing into the Avengers.

The Evolution of Rights Ownership

Luckily, over the years, the landscape of media conglomerates has changed. Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 and their agreement with Sony to include Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have allowed these superheroes to find their way into Marvel films. The X-Men, for instance, were brought into the MCU through Deadpool and Wolverine, and the Fantastic Four are set to make their MCU debut in 2024.

Financial Context

It's important to note that Marvel never actually sold the rights to their characters out of a lack of confidence in them. The decision was driven purely by financial necessity. During the 1990s, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four had some significant box office success. The X-Men (2000) grossed a considerable $296.3 million worldwide, and its sequels X2 (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) also performed well, earning a combined total of over $860 million. Similarly, the Raimi Spider-Man trilogy brought in a whopping $2.5 billion, significantly outperforming other franchises at the time.

The MCU's Early Days

Given this context, it's clear why Marvel started the MCU with Iron Man. At the time, Iron Man was a relatively unknown character, while the X-Men and the Fantastic Four were already well-established brands. However, the unique success of Iron Man and his eventual team-up with other iconic heroes demonstrated the possibility of success with less-well-known characters as well. This strategy proved to be a wise one, as it allowed Marvel to build a diverse and compelling roster of characters that has since become the cornerstone of the MCU.

Conclusion

While the decision to sell the X-Men and the Fantastic Four to 20th Century Fox may have seemed drastic at the time, it ultimately played a crucial role in Marvel's survival. Today, with the changing landscape of media ownership, Marvel has regained control over these iconic characters, paving the way for their fascinating stories to continue in the MCU. Whether through Deadpool, Wolverine, or the upcoming Fantastic Four, these superheroes will undoubtedly make their mark in the ever-evolving world of superhero cinema.