Any new Marvel characters coming to IOA?

[mcjw2011]

I read about Universal's airtight contract with Marvel Entertainment that allows them to use certain characters on the Eastern seaboard, but I'm surprised Universal hasn't capitalized on Iron Man's popularity (since he was part of the stage show in the 1990s) let alone Black Panther's. The characters are featured in the artwork in IOA, wouldn't that give them the opportunity to add the characters to the meet-and-greet roster?

I know it's not all cut-and-dry, and that both Disney and Universal are trying to renegotiate that contract to their benefit.

 

[hhoope01]

My understanding is that Universal have the rights to keep the current Marvel rides they have, as long as they keep them in good working order. But they can't build new Marvel rides. And there may be a stipulation where if they remove a ride, they lose the rights to the characters associated with that ride (i.e. getting rid of Storm Force may cost them use of X-men based characters.)

With that said, I do believe I remember seeing a big life-size statue of Iron Man in one of the stores in the Heroes Island area. So they do have some ability to use other characters, but they may be limited in changing out rides and live-action characters.

 

[mcjw2011]

They wouldn't have to change out anything, but adding live-action characters covered by the contract isn't unreasonable.

I guess they couldn't be movie accurate if they were, like the other heroes on the lineup.