At this point, we can assume that the merger between The Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox is going to happen. Disney will take control of Fox’s superhero IP and we’ll definitely see both X-Men and Fantastic Four characters appearing in the MCU at some point in the future. But fans are wondering whether ‘some point in the future’ could be as early as next May, when Avengers 4 is scheduled to hit cinemas.
While the chances of either franchise playing a role in the film’s narrative are practically zero given that the Russo Brothers have already shot most of the movie, you’d think that a post-credits scene that enigmatically teases the new arrivals is eminently possible. Just imagine the reaction to a dimly lit and mysteriously shot bar fight that ends with a familiar *snikt* sound and a flash of adamantium claws – audiences would go completely bananas.
So, what are the chances of this happening? Well, standing in the way are the slow-moving gears of regulatory approval which is contingent on a number of things. Firstly, that Disney sell off Fox’s regional sports network (as owning that and ESPN looks suspiciously like a monopoly). Plus, the international aspect of both companies means that various countries will also need to signal that they’re prepared for the deal to go ahead.
The above is going to take time, with Fox and Disney explaining last December that they expected the deal to be completed in 12-18 months. Given that they had to deal with a bidding war from Comcast, it looks as if it’ll be closer to 18 months until they get all their ducks in a row, meaning we’re roughly talking summer 2019. That means there’s a chance that Disney might not be able to legally use the Fox IPs until just after Avengers 4 hits cinemas.
Having said all that, there’s at least a chance that things could move faster and they get it done before the deadline. Given that Avengers 4 will end the current phase of the MCU and set up Phase Four, it makes sense that they’d want at least the option of hyping up their hard won purchase.
My bet is that they will put together a post-credits scene involving the Fox IPs, purely because they may be able to use it if the deal is finalized. If they can’t put it in the Infinity War sequel, then they can at least attach it to Spider-Man: Far From Home, which releases on July 5th, 2019.
Either way, Avengers 4 hits cinemas on May 3rd, 2019, and you can bet I’ll be there until the ushers turn on the lights in the screening room.
