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James Gunn clears up the legality of Marvel Studios using Micronauts characters, revealing he was denied the use of Bug in all three Guardians films.
While confirming that Marvel Studios does not have the rights to use the Micronauts character Bug in its screen projects, Guardians of the Galaxy franchise director James Gunn revealed that he actually tried to include Bug in all three Guardians films, only to be denied each time.
On Twitter, Gunn recently discussed working with actor Chukwudi Iwuji, who currently stars in his DC Extended Universe-set HBO Max series Peacemaker and is slated to play a major role in his upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In response to a fan implying that Iwuji should portray Bug, Gunn simply responded, “Marvel doesn’t have the rights to Bug.” When asked who did, Gunn answered, “Hasbro.”
Marvel doesn’t have the rights to Bug.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 9, 2022
An argument ensued, with various Twitter users debating whether or not Marvel actually had the film rights to Bug. Ultimately, Gunn himself stepped in to put the debate to rest, writing, “Marvel is not allowed to use Bug in films. I have tried to use him in all three movies, and was not able. I hope this settles your argument.” Gunn also explained that the same rules apply to Marvel Studios’ Disney+ projects, meaning Bug won’t be appearing in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, either.
Marvel is not allowed to use Bug in films. I have tried to use him in all three movies, and was not able. I hope this settles your argument.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 22, 2022
Created by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden, Bug first appeared in Micronauts #1, which was published by Marvel Comics in 1978. The Micronauts comic series was based upon the Mego Corporation’s Micronauts toy line, featuring characters from the toys, as well as Marvel-original characters such as Bug, Mari and Arcturus Rann.
Marvel does indeed still own the comic book rights to its original Micronauts characters like Bug, with the character appearing in Marvel-published comic books as recently as 2020 — in the pages of Guardians of the Galaxy, no less. However, as Gunn pointed out, the screen rights to Micronauts itself currently reside with Hasbro, the current owner of the intellectual property. In 2016, IDW Publishing began putting out its own Micronauts comics under Hasbro’s license.
In fact, Hasbro has long planned to produce a Micronauts feature film, officially enlisting Paramount for the project in 2015. The project lingered in development for a number of years before ultimately being shelved in 2020. That said, Boulder Media — a subsidiary of Hasbro — is currently working on a Micronauts animated series with Entertainment One.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is scheduled to premiere in theaters on May 5, 2023.
Source: Twitter
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