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One of the most surprising announcements made at Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel at this year’s San Diego Comic Con was the revelation that Carol Danvers would be battling the Skrulls during the 1990s in ‘Captain Marvel’. This detail was particularly interesting because the shape-shifting alien race is so closely tied to the Fantastic Four, whose film rights along with the rights of related characters such as Galactus, Doctor Doom, and the Silver Surfer belong to 20th Century Fox. However, it would seem that this is actually one of those rare situations where both studios can stake a claim to the characters just like with Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

Following yesterday’s revelation, IGN did some digging and uncovered some information that explains how Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck are able to use the Skrulls in the upcoming Phase Three film starring Academy Award winner Brie Larson. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ director James Gunn was the one that actually provided some insight in this situation while he was promoting Star-Lord and company’s latest adventure. He explained that only specific Skrulls (most likely Super Skrull and Lyja, but hopefully not Young Avenger Hulkling or Runaway Xavin) are owned by Fox, but the race as a whole is co-owned. At the same time, he shared that the Badoon are owned by Fox despite their connection to the Guardians, as well as Kang the Conqueror and the Shi’ar Empire (another alien race who will actually be making their live-action debut in next year’s ‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’).

Going back even further, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige actually addressed this while promoting ‘The Avengers’ back in 2012. He said, “Skrulls have a big connection to Fantastic Four. So there are some contractual limitations about who can do what when it comes to Skrulls. Though that is not why we didn’t do Skrulls. There is already enough going on in this movie.”

So really, if we were all paying attention, this wouldn’t have actually been a huge surprise. But since we will have had over 10 years of Marvel Cinematic Universe history spread out over 21 movies, 11 TV shows, at least 5 short films, 1 digital series, and a handful of comic tie-ins by the time ‘Captain Marvel’ comes out, it’s easily understandable if a few details here and there slip through the cracks.

Are you excited to see the Skrulls make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in ‘Captain Marvel’? And which prominent Skrull warriors do you think will face off with Carol Danvers and Nick Fury? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below.

‘Captain Marvel’ starring Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson takes flight on March 8, 2019.