Marvel Runs Into Copyright Issue Changes Villain’s Name

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

One of the most highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe movies of 2022 is Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness. Originally slated for a March 25, 2022 theatrical debut, the upcoming Doctor Strange 2 was part of Marvel Studios’ recent rash of film delays.

It is now scheduled for a May 6, 2022 release, but marketing efforts for Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Stephen Strange) and Elizabeth Olsen’s (Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff) next MCU installment are already beginning to ramp up following the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The second Spider-Man post credits scene was the first trailer for Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness — it featured a return to the WandaVision post credits scene’s Wundagore Mountain and thrilled Marvel fans.

wandavision post credits scene wanda on cabin porch

Now, however, fans have noticed something strange (no pun intended) about a recent merchandise leak. A new LEGO set for the Doctor Strange (2016) sequel seemingly features the Marvel Comics villain known as Shuma-Gorath.

However, in this case, the box art suggests that the tentacled creature will go by the name of Gargantos.

This seemingly pointless name change frustrated some fans on social media, but it seems that there may be a very good explanation that has to do with copyright law. As Twitter user @UpToTASK noted:

After doing some research on ̶G̵a̵r̵g̵a̵n̵t̵o̵s̵/Shuma-Gorath, I get it but I hate it. The name “Shuma-Gorath” was first created by Robert E. Howard for Conan [Conan the Barbarian]. And yea, that’s a WHOLE problem that can be avoided by simply changing the name. UGH that SUCKS. But at least it’s him?

Marvel likely wants to avoid even the suggestion of a copyright battle with Conan creator Howard’s estate, as the works featuring the character and any adjacent characters are not yet in the public domain.

ant-man and the wasp

Furthermore, this isn’t the first time Kevin Feige and his team have made a name change to avoid a potential lawsuit. The “Quantum Realm” in Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man) and Evangeline Lilly’s (Hope Pym/the Wasp) Ant-Man films is referred to as the “Microverse” in the Marvel Comics universe.

evangeline lilly as hope van dyne aka the wasp and paul rudd as scott lang aka ant man

The word “Microverse”, however, is already copyrighted as part of Hasbro Toys’ “Micronauts” franchise, so the MCU opted to make the name change. Presumably, that is what has happened with the villain now known as Gargantos as well.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Forced to Shut Down Production

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently being filmed in Georgia — as are most Marvel films — and is scheduled to be released as part of Marvel’s Phase 4 slate in November. Marvel had originally planned for the highly-anticipated Black Panther sequel to be released in July, but it was pushed back in October, along with a number of other Marvel films, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Unfortunately, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now experiencing another setback as production has been put on hold indefinitely as star Letitia Wright — who plays Shuri — recovers from an injury she sustained in August. While Marvel originally stated that Wright’s injury would not affect the production schedule — they would shoot the scenes that she was not a part of — it looks like that has now changed. Marvel has apparently shot all the scenes that they can without the starlet, and they must now go back to the drawing board to figure out how to continue.

Black Panther

The Hollywood Reporter received a statement from Wright’s representative and reported the following:

Wakanda Forever had been filming mostly in Atlanta for the last two months. Director Ryan Coogler is said to have shot all footage that his crew is able to without Wright.

Sources say the production is taking the hiatus to reconfigure the shoot to get things back on track for an early 2022 restart. The shutdown is expected to begin the week of Thanksgiving.

“Letitia has been recovering in London since September from injuries sustained on the set of Black Panther 2 and is looking forward to returning to work early 2022,” a representative for Wright said in a statement to THR. “Letitia kindly asks that you keep her in your prayers.”

Letitia Wright Black Panther

After sustaining the injury while filming in Boston, Wright traveled to London, where she has been healing ever since. Wright was promoted to the lead role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever after Chadwick Boseman — who played the titular superhero — died of cancer in 2020, so it is safe to assume that there are not too many scenes that she will not be a part of.

Marvel has said that, at this time, they do not anticipate the release date of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to be impacted by the pause in production.

Disney Will Seek Arbitration in Scarlett Johansson Lawsuit

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

Via wdwnt.com

There has been quite a bit of back-and-forth between Disney and Scarlett Johansson, who plays Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The star recently filed a lawsuit against Disney over her most recent outing as the super spy in this month’s “Black Widow.” And after more than a week of responses in the media and in legal filings, Disney is now seeking arbitration according to the Wall Street Journal.

Johansson’s lawsuit alleges that by releasing the film on Disney+ simultaneously with the theatrical release, “Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.” Johansson reportedly took a partial back-end deal, in which her salary for the film was derived from the box office sales which, the lawsuit alleges, were undercut by the Disney+ sales.

After multiple delays in release due to the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering theaters nationwide, it was announced in March that “Black Widow” would be one of several films pushed through to the Disney+ streaming service as a Premiere Access title. Despite an $80 million opening in the US and Canada and $60 million garnered from Disney+ sales, the film still sits at $359 million worldwide. With $174 million total domestic take as of press time, this makes “Black Widow” the 2nd lowest-earning marvel film ever, behind “The Incredible Hulk.”

In the Wall Street Journal, Disney released figures touting that Johansson had already earned $20 million from her deal. Previously, Disney attorney Daniel Petrocelli had called the lawsuit a lost cause because the contract is iron clad. “We treated Disney Premier Access (revenue) like box office for the purposes of the bonus requirements in the contract,” Petrocelli told Variety. “No amount of public pressure can change or obscure the explicit contractual commitments. The written contract is clear as a bell.”

Disney’s arbitration would make the case confidential and the details would not become publicly available even after the case ends, which Johansson’s lawyer John Berlinski decried as Disney’s attempt to “hide its misconduct from the public in a confidential arbitration,” according to the Wall Street Journal article.

Alligator Loki Inspired By Real-Life Emotional Support Animal

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Alligator Loki quickly became a fan favorite following episode 4 of Loki. Fans continue to debate if Alligator Loki is a Loki variant or simply an alligator. Loki writer Michael Waldron is fine letting fans speculate on their own.

One big reveal about the character is that Alligator Loki was inspired by a real-life support animal named Wally. The 5ft, 60-lb alligator is a federally licensed emotional support animal who loves cuddles and kisses and helps his owner, Joie Henney, with his depression. 

Alligator Loki was created largely by CGI, but the creators did need a reference on how an alligator would move and look.

Wally not only is the inspiration for Alligator Loki, but this is also an excellent way to get Wally’s story told. The idea of an alligator being an emotional support animal is hard to believe; however, Wally has undeniably helped and supported his owner. Meanwhile, Henney takes good care of Wally and the many other alligators and reptiles that he rehomes.

Alligator Loki was a fun addition to the series and we hope he will appear again in season two.

Watch The New Trailer For Marvel’s “What If…?; Premiers August 11th on Disney+

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

If this trailer for “What If…?” is any indication, things are about to get really turned upside down for the Marvel Universe!

Enter the multiverse of unlimited possibilities. Marvel Studios’ first animated series, “What If…?”, starts streaming on August 11 with new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

“What If… ?” features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor, and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist.