Activision no longer forging Iron Man

Publisher reveals it no longer has game rights for classic comic franchise; Marvel says new license holder will be revealed in the fall.

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In January 2003, Activision announced it had extended its agreement with Marvel Entertainment to make games based four of its classic comic book franchises: X-Men, Spider-Man, Fantastic 4, and Iron Man. The agreement gave Activision rights to make games based on said properties through 2009, and also allowed the publisher to make game tie-ins to films based on them.

The intervening two and a half years have seen four movies based on three of the Activision-licensed comics hit theaters: Spider-Man 2 (2004), X2 (2004), Fantastic 4 (2005), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). During that same time, Activision has released multiplatform game tie-ins to each film, including Spider-Man 2 (2004), Fantastic 4 (2005), and X-Men: The Official Game (2006).

This week, the first teaser poster (pictured) for the film adaptation of the fourth property, Iron Man, was released. The one-sheet dated the Jon Favreau-directed project as hitting theaters on May 2, 2008.

Given Iron Man's pole position on the summer-blockbuster calendar, one would expect Activision's forthcoming game adaptation to hit stores around the same time. However, that assumption was shot down by Activision reps, who had a surprising bit of information to convey regarding the project.

"We did have the rights to make an Iron Man game, but no longer retain said rights," a rep told GameSpot. "So I cannot comment on the status of any game project related to the film." The rep did not say why Activision had let the rights lapse, or which publisher had acquired the rights.

So who is publishing Iron Man? That information remains elusive. THQ reps contacted by GameSpot claimed ignorance of any such project, as did Electronic Arts and Midway spokespersons. Take-Two Interactive declined to "comment on rumors."

But while the Iron Man publisher is currently a mystery, it won't be forever. "Expect an announcement this fall," a Marvel Entertainment rep told GameSpot before declining further comment.

74 Comments

  • kd_Depressor

    Posted Oct 20, 2008 2:45 pm PT

    bullox

  • dinodefender

    Posted Dec 27, 2007 3:53 pm PT

    This might be it...:

  • graavigala

    Posted Dec 11, 2007 10:25 pm PT

    think about this one.. now that Activision and Blizzard have merged, what IF Ironman the game has been taken by blizzard it could get some new heights as a movie game not same license crap like Transformers

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Nov 7, 2007 10:42 pm PT

    So Marvel jumps ship from Activision, who's having an amazing time in the market of late?

    Good for Activision, as they don't have to waste time with licensed games, but who the hell are Marvel going to use? The crap factory at THQ?

  • PS360Fanboy

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 12:38 pm PT

    i so cant wait for this game

  • kaleman1769

    Posted Oct 12, 2006 6:08 pm PT

    iron man is fricken awesome, it is probably one of the best of all why would they do such a thing?

  • mastermind89

    Posted Aug 3, 2006 11:46 pm PT

    iron man is the only marvel series ive ever read seriously. ive been online for years now looking up any info and gossip on the movie project. did u know it was originally slated for holiday 05, then summer 06 now 08? ok i'll keep waiting for the movie and game. im actually glad this game won't be made by activision. nothing against there staff but the fantastic four game sucked! but it was at least better than the new x-men game. hopefully this game stays true to the soure material which in my biased opinion is much better than fantastic 4 anyway. if its anything like spiderman 2 i'll be pleased, as long as it isn't some cheap aquaman game.

  • HyperMetaDragon

    Posted Aug 1, 2006 7:05 pm PT

    X-Men: The Last Stand videogame sucked.

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Jul 30, 2006 9:52 pm PT

    well,ok, so they really messed up the new x-men game but come on,how can u make the fantastic four cool i mean really, the guys freaking strechy for cryin out loud. and the flamer or whatever u want to call him is a pain in the ass, as is his sister the amazing 50's attitude toward women on two legs, yea we get it already women should not be seen till u need em around ,whats her other power again? she shuts the hell up for a few minutes? nice, kudos to u stan lee..the only one in the group with any depth whatsoever is the thing, and thats only because hes all like, booo hoooo im a big freak nobody loves me cept my blind girlfriend, i had to stand still in a hall at her school and act like a sculpture just to get her to feel me up...these games are only ever going to be as good as the source material, in these cases the source is a watered down movie version of a bunch of two-dimensional charecters used to sell a 10 cent periodical 60 years ago.

  • thepeter

    Posted Jul 29, 2006 8:50 pm PT

    we shall let the ring-bearer decide!

  • faridmon

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 9:37 pm PT

    what people missunderstand is when it comes to in-tie movie game, Activision sucks and its very HORRIBLE that i could kill my self, BUT Marvel games that doesn't tie with a movie, i swear Activision is one of the best Devolepers/Publishers out there, X-Men Legends and Ultimate Spider Man anyone?, but this propobly is for the best since its about Movie Adaption (which most likly will suck), i hope Capcom give us back Marvel vs Capcom series but i don't see that happening, and NO just NO to EA, Marvel you have done many thing wrong, but if i see Iron man with EA i WILL NOT READ ANYTHING FROM YOU.

  • ChasinFury

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 6:49 pm PT

    I beg you marvel PLEASE do not give it to EA.. I will cry.

  • sarges24

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 3:43 pm PT

    the ONE and ONLY thing Activision has done for the Marvel name is Ultimate Spiderman. oh and Spiderman 2 wich was decent as well...

    I'd almost hate to say this because I don't want them making all of Marvels games but I hope Marvel gives the rights to Capcom so they can make another Marvel Vs Capcom game for current gen and/or next gen platforms. If nothing else grant the rights to Capcom so they can make 1-2 Marvel vs Capcom games then give the license to another developer for all other Marvel related games...

    idk, it's hard to say who deserves or should have the license. Konami could possibly be a good developer for Marvel, Sony would be an excellent house for the Marvel name, Ubisoft could prove to be viable... idk...

    The only thing I know is....

    ALL I WANT IS MARVEL vs CAPCOM 3 for next gen platforms

    and I want to see some solid Marvel titles like more Ultimate Spiderman, a sweet Ironman game, and just all around solid titles, not half built crud....

  • ert47

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 2:31 pm PT

    on second thoughts... What about THQ?

  • relset

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 1:39 pm PT

    yeah those games are fun!!

  • WolfSkill5544

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 1:03 pm PT

    well, maybe Marvel changed their mind when they saw what THQ did with X-men 3 game, which really sucks

  • ewjim

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 11:54 am PT

    I think Activision does't lose something good this time.

  • ronaldmonster

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 11:30 am PT

    C'mon, except for two comiv book games Activision has never failed with the Marvel games.

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 10:29 am PT

    Ive never bought any of this crappy titles (opinion) and the reason is that they werent good enough to waste $40-$50 bucks on... hopefully the next company is gonna make an awesome game out of it.. the only good game out of a movie i think was KingKong.. that game looked awesome! and it was fun till it ended ... only game that was ever worth it.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 8:49 am PT

    i had a bit of a crush on good old Iron Man when i was young. hope he still looks hot. and also, no EA please!!! Have UBI do it !!!!

  • ashuncc2

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 8:40 am PT

    Ironman......It would be good to add another comic character to the solo-title comic releases.

  • bigelf72

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 8:32 am PT

    Ubisoft/EA anyone?

    But honestly....besides the comic book nerds. Does anyone care....even if the game did come out...its sales would be lackluster. The only marvel game that ever sold really well was spider-man 2, and even that game sucked (my opinion).

    Anyways....who cares.

  • adijan

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 8:01 am PT

    Well i liked Activision "Back in the Day" when they made great games for PS one and other platforms, but i do hope it goes to some pretty good company, i have EA and Volition Inc.(punisher) But i always wanted to play as Iron Man and hopefully it will look like Superman Returns, which is looking pretty sweet. But i hope the movie works out great, some game - movie adaptations suck but hopefully Marvel had made the right dicision.

  • Gigastormz

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 6:57 am PT

    I wonder if this has to do with Toy Biz losing the Marvel toy liscense (sp?) to Hasbro. The first wave of Hasbro Marvel Legends look craptacular while the second wave is at least decent. I don't know why Toy Biz lost the liscense when Marvel Legends sell like hotcakes. It doesn't really matter who gets the license, all of the marvel games suck except X-Men Legends I/II.

  • hemakm3

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 6:37 am PT

    Whoever gets it--Take your time.

  • Hrasko

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 5:30 am PT

    /cheer

  • sasuke55

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 5:23 am PT

    I would like to see either Capcom or Take-Two. But we all know its going to be EA and we all know how their last one went Marvel oh hell I can't even think of the name (dosen't really care) but it sucked as will this one.

  • Ponsardin

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 2:07 am PT

    Seriously, I don't care. I didn't even liked those comic books, so if the new licenseholder will aswell make rubbish games, I won't complain.

  • monkkito

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:49 pm PT

    movie based games tend to suck anyways, compare Hulk ultimate destruction with the movie based game, just to name an example

  • gunngamer

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:01 pm PT

    Alot of activision game's like tony hawk are good and all but alot of there marvel game's suck I just hope it not to rockstar they don't have the best graphics

  • sfkm2

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:42 pm PT

    Just give it back to Capcom, pleaseeeee!!!!!!!!!!

  • wenbin09

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:38 pm PT

    would love to see an iron man based game.. but looks like it's goin to take some time..

  • rynmls

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:21 pm PT

    this game will be release on next gen, maybe it will be good...

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:16 pm PT

    I love Ironman, and I love the fact that Activition won be publushing its game, since all they do is rushing games to get co-releases with the movies. I miss the good hero games like Spiderman, and well... don't make me go further back. It'd be nice to see Capcom or Sega on a project like that.

  • vaejas

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:12 pm PT

    "The more you tighten your grip, the more systems will slip through your fingers." ~ Leia Organa

  • stubby_01

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:09 pm PT

    this is a good thing, because most of those other activision marvel games were crap

  • azizrulez

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:56 pm PT

    I DON EVEN CARE

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:27 pm PT

    I just hope this game is better than that stinker Iron Man/Xo Manowar on the playstation. Cripes that game was bad. You couldn't even fly?

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:04 pm PT

    The question is, will the Iron Man game and movie be good? Odds are...probably not.

  • pilouuuu2004

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:48 pm PT

    I don't mind too much. Movie adaptations are almost never any good. I'd rather play the Marvel Super Heroes arcade game.

  • HyruleanLink

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:22 pm PT

    It's to early to tell. Just sit back and let the game unfold itself.

  • gamer_10001

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:11 pm PT

    It's either EA or Take-Two

  • fhamner02

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:11 pm PT

    If I'm wrong about the "conflict of interest" issue, then I am definitely man enough to admit it. But still, I've followed Marvel for over 25 years and just can't see an EA deal coming to pass. But , of course, far stranger things have occured in this industry...

  • irun

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:09 pm PT

    You know what'd be awesome. If it's a completly unexpected developer. Like NINTENDO just imagine it Iron Man would be awesome!

  • icemancell

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 7:42 pm PT

    bettin its EA, only they got the dough to shell out on a bad seller

  • Robacon1

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 7:00 pm PT

    uhhhh..........EA can have a deal with whomever makes a deal with them. "Conflict of interest" doesn't even begin to apply in this situation.

  • ert47

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 6:15 pm PT

    EA FTW!!! [/sarcasm]

    Capcom all the way!!!!

  • ebonyflame

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 6:12 pm PT

    spydrman5472, I agree with you. Its kinda sad that with over 50 years of source material at the game publishers fingertips that they only release comic book games based on movies that never do the comics real justice. It was different back in the days of 2D gaming when a comic book game was more in tune with what the comics really portrayed, their sense of style, art direction, and most importantly the stories were relevant to what the comic serie's were really about. Were I THQ, EA, or any of the other developers that made games off the comics I would probably make games off the older stories as not to alienate the people who have been loyal to the comics over the years.

  • Dinghy_Dog

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 5:43 pm PT

    well, if it's not EA, then it's no one. EA for sure.

  • fhamner02

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 5:41 pm PT

    Um, ok. I think everyone on this board is missing one BIG point. DC Comics has the deal with EA! Marvel can't have a deal with EA, it's a conflict of interest.
    Common sense leads one to believe that the deal will be 2K Games. At least that's where I see it going.

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