Marvel fans have been wondering if and when the X-Men are going to team up with the Avengers onscreen. Many of them were hopeful after hearing Avengers: Infinity War will feature 67 Marvel characters.
According to a Comicbook.com interview, co-director Joe Russo explains there are no such plans. As of 2016, Fox still owns the X-Men and the Fantastic Four film rights.
“As far as we know, right now there isn’t talk regarding the X-Men,” he says. “I don’t know if behind-the-scenes there were conversations or if there are conversations happening but we certainly haven’t heard of any.”
Russo states the process of negotiations is tricky. This is due to the rights ownership and agreeing on terms being a difficult subject. Although it took some bargaining, Spider-Man did appear in Captain America: Civil War.
Sony now has a deal with Disney and Marvel. Although Sony owns Spider-Man, Marvel has creative input into the franchise going forward. There is no such deal between Marvel and Fox, but the latter did sign off on a Legion television series. X-Men director Bryan Singer will produce the show.
“Sony and Marvel had a relationship through Kevin [Feige] and Amy [Pascal] and through us and Amy. That’s really how Spider-Man came about,” Russo says. “It requires a certain alchemy and a very special situation for studios to share properties.”
Russo does reveal Marvel did not have any discussions with Fox on a Civil War crossover. “There was not talk on Civil War about the X-Men,” he says. In contrast, the Civil War comic book has the X-Men trying to stay neutral in the conflict.
While the X-Men won’t be appearing, the Guardians of the Galaxy will be in the movie. One can only hope Iron Man and Star-Lord will engage in witty banter or a dance-off.
Avengers: Infinity War arrives in theatres on May 4, 2018.
