Marvel Studios only paying comic writers $5k for stories they use in movies

[ColdSlither]

This is why a number of creators are taking their talents to substack. I think Jonathan Hickman is stepping back from X-Men a bit to focus on his substack stuff.

 

[T’Challa’s Heir]

They’re work for hire stories involving characters and IP the writers don’t own. Disney’s not really in the wrong here. Or if you’re gonna make the moral argument that they are, there’s a much longer list of studios doing this in a much more egregious manner than this.

The actual writer of Forrest Gump didn’t get a dime on the back end. The creators of Superman lost their copyright to Superman, and only got their by-line and pension when the 78 movie came out. Which is still better than Bill Finger, the actual creative force behind Batman, who can’t even get a byline

 

[Robbie3000]

All this work was done as "work-for-hire" so Disney has the law on its side but just because it is legal doesn't mean its not scummy.

Yeah man, I’d break them off just off the strength.

 

[Big Boss]

 

[Moose_Greyjoy]

All this work was done as "work-for-hire" so Disney has the law on its side but just because it is legal doesn't mean its not scummy.

Exactly what I was gonna say. Without comic writers, the characters wouldn’t be shyt.

 

[MenacingMonk]

No shocker here.

 

[Neuromancer]

Not surprised. Not even disappointed. They the evil empire.

 

[Neuromancer]

This is why a number of creators are taking their talents to substack. I think Jonathan Hickman is stepping back from X-Men a bit to focus on his substack stuff.

I just learned about Substack. Gonna publish there myself.

 

[Silver Surfer]

They work for a company and sign a contract

 

[Neo TheInsurrectionistONE]

Jim Starlin said he got paid more for KGBeast's appearance in Batman v Superman than he got for all of Thanos' appearances in the MCU and they didn't even use the KGBeast name for the character in BvS.

I didn't realize kgbeast was in that movie

 

[Supercoolmayo]

Additionally, they also send the creator an invitation to the premiere of the movie their work is featured in.

Free movie tickets. Smh ya'll complain about anything

 

[Neo TheInsurrectionistONE]

books and comics are different but i always thought it would be comparable and theatlantic covered it a little with this article: How My First Novel Became a Movie

"Following the premiere of Carrie Pilby, it seems most people I talk to are still curious about the whole money aspect. The fact is, book authors rarely become wealthy from movie deals. When the screen rights are sold (or when the option is “exercised”), the writer often gets a sum equal to about 2.5 percent of the budget. Keep in mind indie films are only made for a few million dollars. There are sometimes monetary bonuses if a big studio signs on, but after 10 to 15 percent agent fees and then taxes, the resulting sum is often less than six figures. However, I am now quite rich in inspiration, which helps as I put the last touches on that teen novel and a funny memoir."

Maybe this is why GRRM threw the middle finger at HBO on the last season of Thrones

 

[humminbird]

I would be pissed if i saw my story help make a company 1 billion and they send me $5000 like it’s a stimulus check

 

[humminbird]

What’s the market and how much y’all Coli Business men think these hardworking writers deserve?


Serious discussion only, not trolling cuz I’m not, I find this to be an intriguing topic?

They need a royalty of 1-5% in box office gross or merchandise for every character or storyline used in the film

 

[Bryan Danielson]

They need a royalty of 1-5% in box office gross or merchandise for every character or storyline used in the film

Hmmmm from $5000 to 1-5%

Man that’s a dramatic jump, what warrants that Beloved?