Marvel and Fox are involved in a heated dispute regarding the future of the “X-Men” franchise. Has Marvel finally decided to let loose the hell hounds and reclaim their property? Just yesterday we saw reports that the “The Fantastic Four” comic book series might be receiving the axe ahead of the “Fantastic Four” movie reboot (also owned by Fox), set to be released in 2015. What are the odds of fanboys loosing interest in a comic book movie that has no comic book anymore, not to mention the sequel that is scheduled for 2017? Well geeks, perhaps there is more going on here that meets the eye?

Marvel Comic Authors Will Discontinue New 'X-Men' Characters To Block Fox

Marvel Comic Authors Will Discontinue New ‘X-Men’ Characters To Block Fox

Breaking news this week also sheds light on the Fox debacle that has been going on for quite some time. The cast of the “X-Men” franchise and Hugh Jackman specifically have made some grounds to establish a decent foundation for the series moving forward. Cutting off one of the most successful avenues for Marvel in the last two decades since 20th Century Fox obtained the film rights to the characters in 1994 will be tricky, but necessary in the long run. According to Marvel’s comic author Chris Claremont, there will be no new characters introduced in the “X-Men” graphic novels.

Claremont shared the following with Bleeding Cool:

“I have to say quite honestly as I understand it now the X department is forbidden to create new characters,” “All because all new characters become the film property of Fox.” “There will be no X-Men merchandising for the foreseeable future because, why promote Fox material?”

Considering Marvel’s future plans to expand the MCU, not owning some characters will definitely pose additional challenges to bring their heroes together on the silver screen in years to come. If Claremont’s claims are anything to go by, what will happen after “X-Men: Apocalypse” and “Wolverine 3”? Will this force a showdown between Marvel and Fox to decide the fate of the “X-Men”? What about the freshly announced standalone “Deadpool” project that was resurrected after fans waited for so long? “X-Men” producer Lauren Shuler Donner also mentioned plans to introduce Channing Tatum as Gambit? Something tells me that Fox will not go down without a fight! The unfortunate part is that comic book geeks and moviegoers will be affected by the ongoing warfare until the big guns decide to settle the matter.