It's official, monster movie fans: Marvel now owns the rights to both the Alien and Predator movie franchises. And yes, both are on their way in new comic book stories featuring the Avengers heroes... but who will survive the meeting?
Movie fans are sure to know the Aliens and Predators best for their blockbuster movies, but they're actually best-selling comic book franchises as well. These comics have traditionally been published by Dark Horse, but after Disney purchased the bulk of Fox's film and TV empire last year, this shift in ownership will come as less than a shock to some. After all, it means the Alien and Predator franchises now belong to the House of Mouse, even if they're not exactly a good fit for the family-friendly Disney+ streaming service. Given that's the case, many fans had assumed it wouldn't be long before the comic book rights were passed to Marvel Comics, another Disney subsidiary.
h
That day has now arrived. Marvel has acquired the publishing rights to the Aliens and the Predators, and they intend to launch a new range of comics set in that sci-fi universe. In Marvel's official press release, Editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski confirms the people behind the scenes may be just as giddy as their readers and fans:
"There's nothing more thrilling than a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat, and Alien and Predator have delivered that time and time again. I can clearly remember where I was when I saw each of these modern masterpieces for the first time, and reveling in how both masterfully weave extraterrestrial dread and drama into some of the most iconic scenes we've ever seen on film. And it's that legacy that we're going to live up to!"
Comic books are a visual medium, and Marvel clearly believes this is the main hook for their upcoming books. As such, they've commissioned stunning artwork teasing the potential of the Aliens and the Predators, by accomplished artist David Finch. "I’ve seen every movie they’ve ever been in, and I cannot wait to see them wreaking havoc in the Marvel Universe," Finch shares. "I drew my pictures of them with a massive smile on my face."
The crossover potential will undoubtedly delight comic book readers. Marvel's cosmic line has been going through something of a renaissance of late under writer Donny Cates, and it would be exciting to see the Predators and the Xenomorphs integrated into that in some way. Imagine a Predator hunting Wolverine or Venom, or the Fantastic Four crash-landing upon a barren world and discovering Xenomorph pods. There's no indication that kind of story will happen anytime soon, but it can no longer be dismissed as an impossibility. After all, Marvel Comics has successfully absorbed Conan the Barbarian into the Avengers, so Aliens and Predators would be easy.
Fox successfully spun a number of other franchises into tie-in comics, including the likes of James Cameron's Avatar and Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This news sets a precedent for those to potentially wind up with Marvel as well, although that will likely only happen when current deals have expired. It will be fascinating to see how Disney's Fox acquisition ultimately reshapes the comic book industry--and whether or not the Alien and Predators will actually join the Marvel Universe. If they do, best of luck to the universe's heroes.
Source: Marvel