FOX Willing to Return Galactus and the Silver Surfer to Marvel In Exchange for Daredevil Rights?

Variety reported on Monday that FOX and Marvel/Disney are exploring a swap of characters that would allow FOX to hold onto the cinematic rights to Daredevil beyond an Oct. 10 deadline. In exchange, FOX would give Marvel rights back to planet devourer Galactus along with his herald, the Silver Surfer.

The clock is ticking for 20th Century Fox to put its "Daredevil" reboot into production before character rights revert to Marvel -- but Fox chairman Tom Rothman and Marvel brass have been talking about a tradeoff that would allow the comicbook franchise to remain at Fox past its Oct. 10 deadline. One reason for the backroom dealings: Fox is in discussions with Joe Carnahan to direct what's been described as a "Frank Miller-esque, hardcore 70s thriller" take on blind Hell's Kitchen superhero Matt Murdock -- a vision that would deviate from Disney/Marvel's family-friendly tone. Carnahan has yet to receive an official offer, though multiple sources tell Variety that he's the choice.  

But Fox also has something Marvel wants.  

Sources say Marvel would give Fox more time to make "Daredevil" in return for the rights to use characters from the "Fantastic Four" universe, including the giant, world-devouring supervillain Galactus, rumored to play a key role in future Marvel pics. Marvel is also eyeing future use of the Silver Surfer, who in the comicbooks brokered a deal to serve as Galactus' herald in order to save his home planet.

FOX must think it has something special on its hands if the studio is willing to part with two key parts of the Fantastic Four story in order to make Joe Carnahan's Daredevil film happen. It's great to see Marvel attempting to bring some of its characters back into the Cinematic Universe fold, even if it means giving up rights to other for a longer time.

When it comes to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, yeah, Thanos is a great villain, but I don't think he appeals to the general public like Galactus would. For fanboys, seeing Galactus done on screen right (not like in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) would be pretty awesome. As the Cinematic Universe goes cosmic with Thanos and Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel is going to need big villains like Galactus.