Fans have long been wondering why Marvel Studios hasn't released a Hulk movie to the masses just yet.

Well, it is complicated to be honest, since the film rights do not sit only with Marvel.

Forbes writer Mark Hughes claims to have information regarding what is truly going on behind the scenes. From what he has to say, it appears as if fans will have to wait a very long time before having the chance to see Hulk in his own solo outing ever again.

From what we've come to understand, Marvel obtained the rights to make Hulk movies back in 2005; however, the studio did not gain the rights to distribute the film from Universal. The thing is, while Marvel could go ahead and create a Hulk movie and share the spoils with Universal, Disney doesn't want this to happen.

In the mind of the Mickey Mouse factory, all the cost and the lion's share of the risk would fall on its head, but not so much on Universal. Basically, Universal would benefit but not lose should the movie become successful or not.

"Universal held those rights, and today I can confirm the exact situation is that Universal currently retains the right of first refusal to distribute any Hulk films in the future," wrote Hughes. "If for some reason Universal chose to forgo distribution, then Disney would immediately pick up the distribution rights for the Hulk movie. So Universal has no claim at all to the production rights, and their distribution rights are dependent on exercising their option, which remains in full effect at the moment."

Now, the Forbes writer did go on to say that if Marvel and Disney really wanted to create a Hulk film, this distribution rights issue would not stop that. However, it would all boil down to whether or not a Hulk solo outing were capable of making money.

The first two films did not perform well at the box office, so a third could end up in shambles as well. Furthermore, the CGI cost to have the Hulk on screen on a regular basis would be high, and right now Marvel Studios and Disney are not certain if going down that path is the best decision right now.

Whatever the case may truly be at the moment, Marvel knows that fans want a standalone Hulk movie, so if actor Mark Ruffalo proves to be popular enough with the movie-going crowd, then one can be certain he will get his own film before long.

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Photo: Eneas De Troya | Flickr