Hulk’s Movie Rights: Has Marvel Got Them Back From Universal & Is A New MCU Movie On The Way?

There have been some positive signs for the MCU regarding The Incredible Hulk and the potential for a future sequel. Having recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, The Incredible Hulk was released in 2008 starring Edward Norton in the titular role. Although Bruce Banner was recast with Mark Ruffalo for subsequent appearances in the MCU, there’s never been a sequel to The Incredible Hulk or any kind of solo feature for the Jade Giant. This is due to Marvel Studios not owning the distribution rights for the Hulk, though that could soon change for the Avengers’ big green rage monster.

During Marvel Studios’ earliest days with their interconnected universe, The Incredible Hulk was the second MCU movie following 2008’s Iron Man, distributed by Universal Studios which continued to hold the distribution rights. At the time, Marvel Studios did not have a distribution model ahead of Disney’s purchase in 2009. However, the rights may finally be set to revert to Marvel very soon. Here’s everything we know about the rights to the franchise and the potential for a new Hulk movie in the near future.

Everything We Know About Hulk’s Movie Rights Reverting Back To Marvel

While Marvel Studios has always been able to develop MCU projects involving Bruce Banner’s Hulk, Universal has first refusal for any projects. This means they’d get a larger chunk of the profits if Marvel were to produce any sequels to The Incredible Hulk or solo projects with Banner as the lead. This explains Hulk’s limited role in the MCU compared to his fellow Avengers, though there have been signs that Marvel Studios is preparing for the distribution rights to contractually revert under their original ownership.

According to an SEC filing in 2006, it’s confirmed that Universal agreed to distribute The Incredible Hulk and any sequels under the same terms as Marvel’s deal with Paramount, its other distributor at the time:

“Universal Studios has agreed to distribute Marvel’s film The Incredible Hulk and sequels on essentially the same terms as those on which Paramount has agreed to distribute the other films financed and produced under the film facility.”

To that end, the referenced SEC filing with Paramount laid out the terms of distribution within an initial 15-year period. As such, this suggests that the distribution rights for The Incredible Hulk would be set to revert to Marvel in June of 2023, based upon the movie’s June release date in 2008.

The Incredible Hulk Releasing On Disney+ Is A Good Sign

2008’s The Incredible Hulk is set to begin streaming on Disney+ on June 16th. This is a very positive sign that certainly supports the idea that Marvel Studios recently got the Hulk rights back from Universal Pictures. Having been adding to their Marvel library since the beginning of Disney+ in 2019, the streaming service is now only missing 2 past MCU movies (Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home).

That being said, it’s possible Marvel Studios and Universal simply struck a deal for The Incredible Hulk to release on Disney+. This would be similar to the first wave of Spider-Man movies recently being added to the service via a special deal Marvel made with Sony Pictures. However, it’s more likely that the distribution rights lapsed, a very exciting prospect considering the future opportunities that would now be open for the MCU concerning Bruce Banner’s Hulk.

Is A New MCU Hulk Movie On The Way?

Keeping the aforementioned evidence in mind, it does seem likely that Marvel Studios will start developing a new Hulk movie. However, it’s unclear if it would be part of the MCU’s Phase 6 or released at a later date following the end of the current Multiverse Saga. Regaining the distribution is certainly the first step for an expanded future for the Hulk beyond appearances in other heroes’ movies. After all, it’s extremely unlikely that Disney would ever sign off on a Marvel movie being made where another production/distribution outlet was receiving the lion’s share of the profit.

Currently, Marvel Studios has its hands full with the ongoing WGA strike which has put many of its productions on hold while shifting the MCU’s schedule back as well. Likewise, a shaky Phase 4 has reportedly motivated Marvel to refocus their efforts on quality over quantity with a slower frequency of releases, giving each project more time to be polished and enjoyed by audiences before the next series or movie hits. While a solo Hulk movie could still be in development now that the distribution rights have likely been reclaimed, it could still be a while before it actually comes to the big screen.

What A New MCU Hulk Movie Could Be About

Currently, there have been a handful of recent Hulk-related teases within the MCU. Marvel’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law included Bruce Banner as he was responsible for giving his cousin Jennifer Walters powers through his gamma-irradiated blood. However, Banner was eventually called away to space. It was later revealed at the series’ end that the Hulk now had a son hailing from the same planet Sakaar where Hulk had a career as a cosmic gladiator for a couple of years (as seen in Thor: Ragnarok). As such, these teases suggest a new Hulk movie could adapt a version of the comics’ World War Hulk.

Additionally, it’s been confirmed that the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World will feature an appearance from Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross, Bruce Banner’s original love interest who hasn’t been featured since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. The same is true for Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns who’s likely become The Leader, finally paying off his villainous evolution 15 years later. The Incredible Hulk’s Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross will also play a major role as the President of the United States. While the late William Hurt had multiple roles as Ross across the MCU, the primary Hulk rival has been recast with Harrison Ford (who may become the Red Hulk).

Essentially, there’s been more Hulk-related content in the current MCU than ever before (and more still to come). Combined with the SEC filings and The Incredible Hulk making its way to Disney+, it’s all but confirmed that Marvel Studios is ready to enjoy their additional freedom with Bruce Banner’s Hulk which they’ve never had before in the MCU. Hopefully, this means that a new Hulk film will be on its way in the near future (even if it’s likely still a few years out). One can only imagine how exciting an MCU adaptation of World War Hulk would be and/or a brawl between Banner and Ross’s respective Hulks.