With the recent news of the Avengers: Infinity War release date being moved up, fans are more excited than ever to see their favorite Marvel characters on screen. For many, it could be one of their last performances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
There are so many rumors surrounding Marvel right now. Some cast members are quickly approaching the end of their contract, while others have signed on for more movies.
Some actors keep their contract details to themselves, while others blurt them out in interviews. It’s hard to know how long the original Avengers cast will continue to appear in the universe.
On top of that, Marvel Studios doesn’t necessarily have all the movie rights for certain characters, like the Fantastic Four or the X-Men. The characters are worth a lot of money, so no one wants to give up their rights. It’s all a bit complicated.
Fans just want to see their favorite heroes on the big screen for as long as possible. How long does Chris Evans have left before leaving the mantle of Captain America behind for good? Will Hawkeye ever get a solo film?
It’s time to find out with the 15 Secrets You Didn’t Know About Marvel Deals And Contracts.
Chris Hemsworth’s contract is up after Avengers 4
It’s hard to imagine the Avengers without Thor, but that may be what happens after the fourth Avengers film. Chris Hemsworth has said his contract ends with that highly anticipated film, which isn’t being released until 2019.
With the success of Thor: Ragnarok, it seems like there is so much more they could do with his character. The film changed the direction of the character.
The actor has made it clear that he would love to continue playing the god, but he won’t be portraying the character anymore after his contract is up. He’s played the iconic hero for seven years, so it’s understandable that he’s reluctant to stop.
Fans will just have to wait until 2019 to see if there’s a future for the God of Thunder in the MCU.
Mark Ruffalo is the only original Avenger past Avengers 4
Mark Ruffalo doesn’t keep a lot of secrets surrounding the Avengers franchise. In fact, he once accidentally live streamed a trailer that was meant to remain a secret to the public. It’s no surprise he’s very open about the length of his contract.
The actor originally signed on for six films. It’s been made clear he won’t be receiving a solo movie. He’s only appeared in three films so far, not including cameos. He’ll be back for both Infinity War and Avengers 4, leaving one more movie after that.
He seems to be the only original cast member whose contract will continue past the fourth Avengers movie. Will The Hulk still be around for the next phase of the MCU? It’s hard to know what the future holds for any of the characters.
Chris Evans was reluctant to sign a six-film deal
While Chris Evans is currently on six film contract, Marvel originally wanted him for nine. He’s always been reluctant to play the hero for too long.
His six movies include his three solo films and three Avengers films. He extended his contract to include Avengers 4, but it seems like his time as the star-spangled hero will come to an end with that movie. He’s said it will “wrap everything up”.
It is heavily suspected by fans that Bucky Barnes will take on the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers is gone, but it’s yet to be confirmed.
It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role, but considering Sebastian Stan has multiple movies left in his contract, he very well could be the new Cap.
Jeremy Renner has a standalone Hawkeye movie in his contract
Hawkeye may be the most overlooked member of the Avengers team. He’s never had his own film, he just appears in the major ones like Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Back in 2014, Jeremy Renner did finally admit his contract includes a Hawkeye solo film. The actor originally signed on for that and three Avengers movies.
Obviously, there have been some appearances in Thor and Captain America: Civil War that don’t count towards that.
It’s been a while since he’s mentioned his contract, so it’s possible that it has been renegotiated. Regardless, it doesn’t sound like a Hawkeye solo movie will be in the works anytime soon, even if his original contract included it.
He and Black Widow just keep getting left out of the solo movie club.
Chadwick Boseman’s contract includes 5 films
Black Panther has been quite the success. The film had the biggest first day ticket presale of any of the Marvel films. Chadwick Boseman reportedly signed on for five more movies as T’Challa, so fans will continue to see him on the big screen for a while.
He’s been in one solo film and appeared in Captain America: Civil War, so there are plenty more to come.
That most likely leaves a second solo film and two Avengers movies. With the importance of Black Panther being built up, it seems like the character will go even beyond that.
With the success of his first solo movie, it would be surprising if Marvel didn’t change his contract to include more films. There is still plenty of time for renegotiations.
Tom Holland signed a six film contract
Acquiring the rights to Spider-Man was a bit rocky, but he finally appeared in the MCU in Captain America: Civil War. Tom Holland revealed that his contract includes six Marvel movies.
A six film contract typically includes three solo films and three appearances in other films, not counting small cameos. Holland is already set to be in Homecoming 2, Infinity War, and Avengers 4, so he will at least finish out Phase 3 of the universe.
Sony and Marvel have been collaborating well so far, to the relief of fans, but with Sony attempting to expand it’s Spider-Man universe, it isn’t clear if Holland continue with Marvel after those movies are done.
If their good relationship continues, it wouldn’t be surprising if they extended his contract.
Scarlett Johansson’s contract has changed multiple times
Out of all of the Avengers stars, Scarlett Johansson’s contract is the hardest to find information on. She’s been tight-lipped about her movie dealings, other than saying it has “morphed” a few times.
Supposedly, she originally just signed on to appear in Iron Man 2. It seems like they’ve been renewing her contract on a movie to movie basis, making her fate in the MCU completely unknown.
She will be appearing in Infinity War and most likely Avengers 4, but it’s unclear whether or not she will continue with Marvel after that.
Will she ever get a solo movie? Fans have been asking for one for years now. Kevin Feige has teased it as a possibility, but there’s no official word on one as of yet.
Robert Downey Jr’s contracts are mostly movie to movie
Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark was the first superhero Marvel Studios presented to fans. He helped set the stage for the entire universe. The idea of the MCU without him just doesn’t seem right.
He originally only signed on for three Iron Man movies and the Avengers movie, but he’s appeared in a lot more than that. His contract has been changed multiple times, to the point it’s almost a movie to movie basis.
While Iron Man 4 has been mentioned a few times, it doesn’t seem to be in the works. For now, Tony Stark’s last appearance is in Avengers 4, making fans nervous they will no longer see their favorite Iron Man on screen.
There are many theories on the character’s exit, from his death to him going into super-retirement.
Tom Hiddleston may be done after Avengers 4
Loki is one of the characters that most fans are certain is going to die in either Infinity War or Avengers 4. The most common theory is that Thanos kills him.
Tom Hiddleston’s contract isn’t giving anyone peace of mind, either. It ends with the next Avengers movie. The actor originally signed on for five movies.
He appeared in three Thor movies as well as The Avengers, so that leaves either Infinity War as his fifth and most likely final film.
It’s difficult to imagine the MCU without one of the signature villains, but that very well could be what happens after the events of the next film.
Hopefully Hiddleston gets to appear on screen with Doctor Strange, played by his good friend Benedict Cumberbatch, before his time as the mischievous character is up.
Sebastian Stan is on a nine film contract
While nobody wants to see Chris Evans leave the MCU, it’s very likely that he will and Sebastian Stan will replace him as Captain America. That theory is pushed forward by the fact that Stan has signed a nine film contract with Marvel Studios.
What other major reason would they have to plan to his appearance in so many movies, while Evans most likely leaving after Avengers 4?
In the comics, Bucky takes up Cap’s shield, so it’s all a little suspicious. Stan could end up the lead in the future Captain America 4.
Fans just got to see Bucky Barnes in the after credits of Black Panther. It will be interesting to see where they end up taking the character, and whether they follow the comics.
Chris Evans extended his contract to include Avengers 4
Originally, fans feared they would see the end of their beloved Captain America in Infinity War, but it seems like he’ll at least make it to the next movie after that.
Evans expanded his Marvel contract to include Avengers 4. The actor had an initial fear of joining the MCU, but he grew to love playing the hero.
He could have stopped after the third movie, if he had wanted to. While he did finish his original contractual obligations, he felt like he needed to extend it.
He’s said that filming Infinity War and Avengers 4 just wrapped everything up nicely. It’s what made the most sense for all of the characters, apparently. Fans will just have to wait and see what exactly he means by that.
Paul Rudd originally signed up for three films, but may extend it
Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man has become an important part of the Marvel universe. The actor signed a contract for a “three-plus-plus” deal. Three movies seems to be the Marvel staple when an actor first signs on.
He originally was planned to be in three films with the possibility of a few team ups.
He’s been in his first solo movie, Civil War, and will appear in Ant-Man and The Wasp. It’s unclear of whether or not the character will play a part in Infinity War or Avengers 4.
It’s possible he could extend his contract to include more movies, like Johansson does, on a movie to movie basis. It’s hard to guess how central his character will be in the movies to come, but he could be one of the few characters to move past Phase 3.
Elizabeth Olson may be done after Infinity War
Elizabeth Olson has only appeared in two Marvel films so far. The Scarlet Witch is still a fairly new character, and fans are loving getting to know her. Could her time as the hero already be coming to and end?
Supposedly both she and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who played Quicksilver, had signed three-movie contracts, but that clearly wasn’t true after Quicksilver was killed off in his first movie.
If the three-movie deal is true for Olson, it looks like her time in the MCU will be up after Infinity War.
Three films doesn’t seem like quite enough for this female Avenger, so many fans are hoping she will extend her contract.
The actress doesn’t talk about her contract much, so it’s possible she already has and just didn’t announce it.
Chris Pratt is the only Guardian to speak publicly about his contract
Most of the Guardians of the Galaxy stars are tight lipped about their contracts, with Chris Pratt being the exception. He’s more than willing to speak about his time left in the MCU.
The actor revealed he signed up for three Guardians of the Galaxy movies as well as two others. He’s going to be in Infinity War, and most likely Avengers four. After the third Guardians movie, his time as Star-Lord may come to an end.
Pratt has also stated he would be more than willing to extend his Marvel contract if they wanted him to. Pratt has said their third movie will be the end of this version of the Guardians, so it’s most likely the other actors will all be leaving as well.
Sony’s Venom movie may be connected to the MCU
People have been confused by Sony’s Venom film since it was announced. How can you have a Venom film without Spider-Man? The two have an iconic rivalry.
Recently, rumors of Tom Holland’s involvement in the movie have surfaced. Though they are technically in separate universes, Sony and Marvel may have come to an agreement.
Kevin Feige and Holland have said that Spider-Man wouldn’t appear in the movie, even in a cameo, but on Collider Movie Talk, Jon Schnepp insisted that the hero will make an appearance. Supposedly, Holland was even spotted on the Venom set.
Sony has previously teased a meeting between Venom and Spidey down the road. If he does show up in the movie, does that mean Venom is part of the MCU? It’s all very confusing.
Do you know any other interesting facts about Marvel’s deals and contracts? Sound off in the comment section!
