Marvel Studios Bans MARVEL ZOMBIES VS ARMY OF DARKNESS Fan Film

By Nick Dourian on Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Not again! How many times can the mighty Marvel Studios ban fan films this year? The removal of this Marvel Zombies vs Army of Darkness flick marks the 3rd huge one.

They’ve just recently recovered from their last misstep, when they forced Mike Pecci’s Punisher tribute The Dead Can’t Be Distracted to shut its doors on production, for which they received a lot of negative press (we may have stirred that bee hive a bit).

Marvel’s been so incredibly successful over the past few years, wooing the usually wrathful fanboys and fangirls with their carefully crafted humorous cinema, but every time they push the little guys around, the House of Ideas flirts with disaster. How soon until we look at Marvel Studios co-president Kevin Feige with disdain, casting him in the same pool as other meddling Hollywood evil-doers like Jon Peters (that dude who wanted to put a giant Spider in Kevin Smith’s failed Superman Lives script)?

Before I delve to far into my rant, here’s some screengrabs from Marvel Zombies vs Army of Darkness fan film, which we managed to snap before the video was removed from Youtube:

And don’t get it twisted fanboys and fangirls, I completely understand Marvel’s predicament. These ‘fan films’ have broken the mold of traditionally low quality films. Instead of the blankets-to-capes, backyard movies of old, we’re now treated to fan flicks produced by actual film creators: professional stuntmen, professional directors, professional actors, professional effects.

The quality of these fan films even rival some of Marvel’s own projects (ahem, Agents of SHIELD, I’m looking at you). So to avoid brand confusion, how else should Marvel respond? Sure, requesting the removal of a passionate fan project sucks (and I’m sure the creators shed a manly tear or two), but Marvel wants to ensure that their potential audience isn’t confused about their brands. After all, these characters BELONG to them. Even though I’m a pitchfork carrying member of the Fanboy Alliance, and I’m pretty damn pissed about the crusade against fan films, I’ve gotta respect Marvel for executing a brilliant cinematic universe. And whether we want to admit it or not, these high quality fan films threaten its stability.

Also, I should probably point out that these fan films aren’t simply passion projects. As I’ve mentioned before, we’ve moved far past the point of creating silly punch-em-ups in our parents’ backyards… these are straight up Hollywood productions created by professional film makers. I’d be willing to wager that they’re less about ‘passion’, and more about showcasing their talents.

Thanks to our friend The Comic Book Jerk for informing us

@Marvel how many FAN FILMS are you going to remove? The Fan Film “Marvel Zombies vs Army Of Darkness” Didn’t do anything to you.

— comicbookjerk (@Comicbookjerk) November 27, 2013

S#!T Talking Central

Davis Ray Sickmon Jr

I’d be much happier if the people who created the fan films generated their own stories and characters. There’s little reason why they should think “Hey, I’m going to produce an X-Men movie!” and believe it’s going to be OK with the people who actually own the rights to them. Instead – be creative, create your own characters, your own stories, and blow us away with something new and creative! 🙂
- Deadite
  
  That’s why they’re called “fan films”.. When we generate original characters and story lines, we call those films.
- Deadite
  
  That’s why they’re called “fan films”.. When we generate original characters and story lines, we call those films.
Aaron Gabbard

Its not like Marvel was ever going to do a Marvel Zombies movie, I don’t see anything wrong with a fan film it isn’t like it was a 2 hour movie or anything, I think Marvels just jealous…DC and Warner Brothers don’t act this way over fan films, in fact some of the best portrayals of Batman came from fan films and they didn’t act all Anal
- Thisizboolsheet
  
  Just to point something out… other than “rights” arbitrarily exchanging hands between bigwigs and people with enough money to wipe their asses with 100 dollar bills, what makes MARVELS FILMS official? Other than them slapping their logo on it?. When Marvel hires a writer and director to make ANY of their movies, guess what– it’s BASICALLY A GIANT FANFILM. It’s SOMEONE ELSE’S interpretation of the original work, usually by a person WHO HAS NO REAL LOVE OR AFFECTION FOR THE PROPERTY. By that logic, unless the comic’s ORIGINAL creators were responsible DIRECTLY for the films, all you’re watching is a 200m dollar fanfilm. And 99% of the time the fans bitch about the results ANYWAY. And don’t talk and brand protection (Marvel doesn’t want people seeing their characters eating flesh?) THEN WHY IN POO PERFECT HELL did they release the comics? I’m a fan, I dug the Marvel Zombies line for its cheesy fun, and the vs. AoD one for its pure insanity. This is grade A booolsheeet.
- Thisizboolsheet
  
  Just to point something out… other than “rights” arbitrarily exchanging hands between bigwigs and people with enough money to wipe their asses with 100 dollar bills, what makes MARVELS FILMS official? Other than them slapping their logo on it?. When Marvel hires a writer and director to make ANY of their movies, guess what– it’s BASICALLY A GIANT FANFILM. It’s SOMEONE ELSE’S interpretation of the original work, usually by a person WHO HAS NO REAL LOVE OR AFFECTION FOR THE PROPERTY. By that logic, unless the comic’s ORIGINAL creators were responsible DIRECTLY for the films, all you’re watching is a 200m dollar fanfilm. And 99% of the time the fans bitch about the results ANYWAY. And don’t talk and brand protection (Marvel doesn’t want people seeing their characters eating flesh?) THEN WHY IN POO PERFECT HELL did they release the comics? I’m a fan, I dug the Marvel Zombies line for its cheesy fun, and the vs. AoD one for its pure insanity. This is grade A booolsheeet.
James Daget

so if this is the case then when is Marvel going to file a cease and desist for the Bat in Sun projects. I mean theirs are really good. I figured they will be next on the chop block.