16 Big Questions On A Seemingly Inevitable Disney Acquisition Of 20th Century Fox

Speaking of Mutants and cosmic rays what on earth does this do to Marvel Studios plans post-“Infinity War”?  We know “Ant Man and the Wasp” is coming because its actually in production.  We are pretty sure “Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 3” is coming, it’s a good bet “Thor” and “Black Panther” will get more sequels and we’re still expecting that fourth “Avengers” film in 2019. But if Marvel Studios is handed active franchises such as “X-Men” (with major stars in the fold such as Jennifer Lawrence, Matthew Fassbender, etc.) and “Deadpool” just how do they handle future films?  Do they find ways to work the alien race the Shi’ar, a mainstay in X-Men comics, into “Captain Marvel”? Does Doctor Strange appear in a future “New Mutants” film (assuming the announced trilogy continues) to mentor demon sorceress Magik? And how on earth do they even handle the whole weird X-Men timeline thing with the current MCU history? It’s very complicated and it wouldn’t surprise this pundit that outside of “Deadpool” they re-launch the X-Men characters in the current MCU. But we’re talking many years from now. Maybe.

Will the Merc with a mouth actually keep his mouth? Disney has never released an R-rated film under it’s Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm or Marvel Studios banners. Feige has said it’s “not out of the question” and used the “Blade” films as an example (although it should be noted New Line Cinema produced that franchise, not Marvel Studios). It’s also unclear how many “Deadpool” movies audiences can expect.  Would Reynolds really want to make more than three?  Perhaps to avoid the rating issue “Deadpool” is produced by Feige’s Marvel Studios team, but remains under the 20th Century Fox banner.  In many ways that might avoid constricting Reynolds and whoever is helming and directing future films from the reality of the MCU storylines and history. Because you know Deadpool will look into the camera and say “Can you believe I’m swearing in a Disney movie?” or make an offhand joke about Walt Disney. Keeping the Merc’s own movies one brand away might actually be the best solution.

Marvel Television has already branched out from Netflix and ABC by debuting the critically acclaimed “Legion” on FX, “Marvel’s Runaways” on Hulu and prepping “Cloak and Dagger” for Disney’s Freeform. But if “Legion’s” success is any indicator, FX could become the home to more creative takes on Marvel characters and stories that might appeal to a more – dare I say – Peak TV audience. Assuming Disney actually acquires it.

Speaking of prestige-skewing television there have been rumors of live-action TV series development since Lucasfilm was acquired by Disney, but nothing has come to pass as of yet. Iger told investors a series was being developed for the new streaming service, but could FX end up a destination for a spin-off series as well?  It would be the perfect destination to do something original in the “Star Wars” universe that was truly its own story and unique style.