This is a list of unproduced films based on comics published by Marvel at some point under one of their imprints. Several of these titles are creator owned and have since been published by other companies. Some of these productions were, or still are, in development hell. Films that have not provided significant production announcements within at least a year, would be considered in development limbo until further announcements are released.
In January 2009, Siavash Farahani announced he has written a Ruse film script for Disney with Sam Raimi directing the project.[1] Since then, there have been no further announcements.
Way of the Rat
In May 2011, Disney and CrossGen were developing a Way of the Rat film based on the comic book series of the same name.[2] Since then, there have been no further announcements.
In March 2015, a film adaptation of Crash Ryan was announced to be in development, with Ryan Heppe producing.[4] Since then, there have been no further announcements.
Elfquest
In July 2008, Warner Bros. announced its intention to bring the Elfquest saga to the big screen, with Rawson Marshall Thurber serving as writer and director. The format (live action, CGI, or traditional animation) is yet unknown. However, it was confirmed on Elfquest's official Facebook page that Warner Bros. ultimately canceled the project; the ostensible reason is that Warner Bros. didn't want the film competing with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. In 2013, there were rumours of recapping the project on behalf of the producers of a fanmade trailer which appeared.[5] Since then, there have been no further announcements.
Animated Elfquest video series
In the early 1990s, an ad for a multi-volume animated adaptation of Elfquest appeared in the comic. A few issues later, the Pinis told readers they'd withdrawn from the deal, and that readers should ask for refunds. Those who didn't, eventually received a 50-minute VHS tape from Abby Lou Entertainment, copyright 1992. Covering the first volume of the book, it consists of color still images taken straight from the comic, some minor animation, and spoken dialogue.[6]
A film adaptation of Empress was announced to be in development for Netflix in July 2018, as part of the first slate of films adapted from comics under Mark Millar's imprint Millarworld, with Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum producing, and Lindsey Beer writing the script.[7]
In April 2012, while Kick-Ass 2 was still in pre-production Mark Millar stated that a third film was also planned,[10] but in June 2013, he revealed that it was not confirmed and would be dependent on how successful the second film was.[11] Later the same month he further elaborated that if it went ahead, the third film would be the final installment: "Kick-Ass 3 is going to be the last one... I told Universal this and they asked me, ‘What does that mean?’ I said, ‘It means that this is where it all ends’. They said, ‘Do they all die at the end?’ I said, ‘Maybe’ – because this is a realistic superhero story... if someone doesn't have a bullet proof vest like Superman, and doesn't have Batman’s millions, then eventually he is going to turn around the wrong corner and get his head kicked in or get shot in the face. So Kick-Ass needs to reflect that. There has to be something dramatic at the end; he cannot do this for the rest of his life".[12] Moretz has shown interest in returning for a third installment and would also be interested in exploring Hit-Girl's dark side: "I want to see something we haven't seen yet. Now we've seen who Mindy is, now we've seen who Hit-Girl is, I think we need to meld the characters together and have Mindy become Hit-Girl and Hit-Girl become Mindy. Maybe her natural hair has a streak of purple in it, maybe she really does go kind of crazy and go a bit darker since she lost her father. I would only do the third one if it was logical. It needs to be a good script and a director, probably Matthew (Vaughn). The third film needs to fully wrap up the series and has to be a good note to end on".[13]
After the release of Kick-Ass 2, Millar stated that the third film is "in the pipeline".[14] While at a press junket for Godzilla in May 2014, Taylor-Johnson stated that he was still up for a third film but he was not contracted for it.[15] In the same month, Christopher Mintz-Plasse revealed he had not heard anything but expressed doubt that a third film would happen due to the second installment's disappointing box office performance.[16] In June, Chloë Grace Moretz echoed her co-stars' sentiments when asked about Kick-Ass 3, expressing the hope for the film. She also cited the second film's lower box office gross as the key obstacle to the third chapter being produced and suggested file sharing was a factor: "The hard thing is if fans want a third movie, they’ve got to go buy the ticket to go see the movie. It was like the second most pirated movie of the year, so if you want a movie to be made into a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth, go buy a ticket. Don't pirate it".[17] In June 2018, Matthew Vaughn announced his intention to set up Marv Studios, under which banner he will produce a reboot of the Kick-Ass series.[18]
Hit-Girl prequel
In August 2014, Chloë Grace Moretz reiterated her previous statements and said "sadly, I think I'm done with Hit-Girl".[19] In January 2015, Millar revealed to IGN that there was a planned Hit-Girl film with Gareth Evans directing but was cancelled.[20] In February, Matthew Vaughn, who directed the first film, spoke optimistically about a "Hit-Girl" prequel: "If that happens, I'm pretty sure I can persuade Aaron and Chloe to come back and finish the story of Kick-Ass".[21][22] Vaughn reiterated this in June about working on a prequel on how Hit-Girl and Big Daddy became superheroes and plans to make Kick-Ass 3 after.[23][24] Since then, talks of any prequel have ceased.
Nemesis
The rights to make a Nemesis film were optioned by 20th Century Fox. Tony Scott was set to direct it before his death, in conjunction with his Scott Free production company.[25] In August 2010, Joe Carnahan was working on the screenplay for the film.[26] Carnahan was confirmed as the director a few years later, writing the script with his brother Matthew Carnahan.[27] In December, Carnahan announced via Twitter that he was working on the screenplay for the film.[28] In October 2013, Mark Millar reportedly had seen the script for Nemesis and had given praise to Joe and Matthew's take on his comic book character, stating that the film would be "massive".[29] Millar later said that Carnahan's script was complete in February 2015, and that if Kingsman: The Secret Service did well at the box office, the film would start filming that year.[30] In August, Warner Bros acquired the rights to adapt the film.[31] In May 2021, Millar revealed that Emerald Fennell had written the latest draft of the screenplay.[32]
Powers
In 2001, Sony Pictures had optioned the comic series for a film production, commissioning a writers room.[33] After development seemed to have stalled, Sony shifted focus in creating a TV series based on the comic instead.[33]
Superior
In April 2014, 20th Century Fox picked up the rights to a feature film based on the comic series Superior.[34] Fox hired Brandon and Phillip Murphy in early 2016 to write the film's script, Matthew Vaughn Tarquin Pack producing the film.[35] Mark Millar tweeted that he would like to see John Cena cast as Superior.[36]
Both Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones have said that they would "consider" appearing in a fourth Men in Black film.[37] Jones said it would be "easy to pick up where we left off. We know what we are doing, we know how to do it. It's just a hell of a lot of fun".[38] In July 2012, Columbia chief executive Doug Belgrad said: "We're very pleased with the financial performance of Men in Black 3, and we believe it is an ongoing franchise. We're going to do [another one], but we don't have clarity yet on how it should be done".[39] Director Barry Sonnenfeld said: "Will's kind of really smart, but as I said, kind of really annoying, too much energy. When he would get too rambunctious, I would tell him save that for Men in Black 4, Will is out and [his son] Jaden Smith is in … if we continue on this path, it won't be released until 2032 but it will be damn good". Will Smith said: "Jaden is already 13 years old, so he's at that mythological boys age, you know–it's time for his bro-mitzvah. So he's right at that place ... He's ready to test me so he can't come anywhere near my movies right now!"[40] In early 2013, Oren Uziel was writing a Men in Black 4 screenplay for Sony Pictures.[41] In September 2015, series producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald stated the series would be rebooted as a trilogy, most likely without the involvement of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.[42] As of 2024, no further developments regarding the sequel have been announced.
In October 2002, Marvel Studios announced a movie deal for Prime with Universal Pictures, after securing the rights to The Hulk.[51] In 2003, Marvel released an earnings report listing a Prime film as "to be determined".[52] Since then, there have been no further development news.
