History ExiledFromContinuity / CommercialAndCorporateReasons

** ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'' rights were sold to Creator/{{Universal}}, who released ''Film/{{Hulk}}'' by Creator/AngLee in 2003. The film flopped both critically and in box office, leaving Universal in no hurry to produce a sequel until Marvel Studios approached them with an idea for a reboot. 2008's ''Film/{{The Incredible Hulk|2008}}'' was one of the two films that launched the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'', produced by Marvel Studios but distributed by Universal. The arrangement made at that time meant that Marvel was free to use the character in their movies, but Universal still held the rights to distribute (and keep the profits from) any film with "Hulk" in the title. This is the main reason why another solo Hulk film will not happen in the near future, though Marvel eventually found a way around it by incorporating elements of the fan-favorite ''ComicBook/PlanetHulk'' storyline into ''Film/ThorRagnarok''. Likewise, Creator/DisneyPlus doesn't have access to ''The Incredible Hulk'' likely for the same reason.

** While ComicBook/TheIlluminati appear in the opening scene of ''WesternAnimation/PlanetHulk'', Mister Fantastic is shown only in shadow, with his face and chest logo deliberately obscured for legal reasons. ComicBook/ProfessorX, meanwhile, doesn't appear at all, nor does [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor]], whose film rights belonged to Creator/UniversalStudios at the time.

*** ''WesternAnimation/{{Ultimate Spider|Man2012}}-Man'' featured ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and several X-Men villains like ComicBook/{{Sabretooth}}, the ComicBook/{{Juggernaut|MarvelComics}} and Mesmero in the early seasons. However, by the time the series was nearing the end of Season 3, the ban was in place, preventing Wolverine and the baddies from returning for the ''ComicBook/{{Contest of Champions|1982}}'' adaptation (which notably brought back a bunch of other heroes and villains from prior episodes). By the time of Season 4, mutant characters (save for ComicBook/SquirrelGirl, who, despite being a mutant, traditionally had little to no interaction with the X-Men) ceased appearing altogether.

** By the final stages of ''The Infinity Saga'', the only prominent characters that still weren't back under Marvel's domain were the ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' and ''[[Film/FantasticFour2005 The Fantastic]] [[Film/FantasticFour2015 Four]]'', both licensed to Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox. This prevented [[Film/XMenFilmSeries Wolverine]] from tangling with the Hulk, and Thor being able to fight the Thing. Finally, in December 2017, Disney outright offered to buy 20th Century Fox for $52 billion. After going through regulations to alleviate antitrust concerns, the deal was eventually finalized on March 20, 2019, meaning that Disney now had full rights to Marvel's characters and franchises, despite a breakdown with the deal with Sony that led directly to Spider-Man being exiled again for about a month before a new deal was reached. It would eventually turn out that 2022's ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'' would be the first MCU film to officially utilize the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises, with multiversal Variants of ComicBook/ProfessorX and ComicBook/MisterFantastic appearing as part of the Illuminati.

** It's believed that a contributing factor to the planned ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'' movie ending up in DevelopmentHell is that the live-action ''Series/{{Titans|2018}}'' TV series currently features Dick Grayson as a main character. Likewise, there has been some speculation that ComicBook/{{Cyborg}} being a main character in the ''Series/{{Doom Patrol|2019}}'' TV series may be part of the reason why there's been no movement on the planned ''Cyborg'' solo movie that was announced back in 2014.

** The cameo of the Comicbook/{{Justice League|Of America}} in the first season finale of ''Series/{{Peacemaker}}'' featured the entire team except for Batman and Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}. [[FakeShemp Stand-ins for Batman and Cyborg]] actually were present when the scene was filmed, but the uncertain future of both characters at the time[[note]]Creator/BenAffleck had publicly stated his intention to retire from the role in ''Film/TheFlash2023'', with it being rumored that Creator/MichaelKeaton would take over as the [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse DCEU]] Batman, while Creator/RayFisher refused to work for Warner Brothers unless DC Studios head Walter Hamada was fired (Hamada ''was'' fired later on long after the finalized cameo was produced, but his replacements immediately rebooting the franchise seemingly rendered the Fisher situation moot).[[/note]] led to their removal.

** This also extended to certain pieces of merchandise as well. [[https://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/05/13/replacing-the-ff-and-x-men-on-secret-wars-image-with-marvel-studio-characters/ Bleedingcool reported on a T-shirt being sold at Walmart]] that recreated the iconic cover of ''ComicBook/{{Secret Wars|1984}}'' #1, but with all of the X-Men and Fantastic Four characters (ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}, ComicBook/{{Rogue}}, ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}}, Storm, the Human Torch, the Thing, Colossus and Wolverine) replaced with characters who have been featured in the MCU (ComicBook/BlackPanther, Daredevil, ComicBook/DoctorStrange, ComicBook/LukeCage, ComicBook/BlackBolt, [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] and ComicBook/IronFist). It is also believed this was the reason why Creator/{{Hasbro}} ceased including X-Men or FF characters in Marvel Legends waves that weren't exclusively devoted to those franchise, to the point that they weren't allowed to include a classic ComicBook/{{Onslaught}} head in the Red Onslaught Build-A-Figure series, since the wave mostly consisted of Captain America figures. X-Men film merchandise, meanwhile, was completely absent from the Marvel Legends line (with the last Fox movie featured in Legends being ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'', and ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' being the last Fox film to have any toys from Creator/{{Hasbro}} AT ALL) until the merger, with Hasbro eventually doing some figures to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ''Film/XMen1'' in 2020.
** Likewise, Disney later published a book called ''Marvel: Powers of a Girl'', which highlighted the women of the Marvel Universe. While the book featured a wide range of Marvel heroines like [[ComicBook/CarolDanvers Captain Marvel]], ComicBook/SpiderGwen, ComicBook/{{Shuri}}, ComicBook/{{Valkyrie|Marvel Comics}}, ComicBook/{{Gamora}}, [[Characters/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyModern Mantis]], the [[ComicBook/TheUnstoppableWasp Wasp]], ComicBook/MonicaRambeau and [[ComicBook/MsMarvel2014 Kamala Khan]], all of the female X-Men were absent, even the incredibly popular ones like Storm and ComicBook/JeanGrey.

** Ironically, Ego was chosen in the first place because the other villains Gunn wanted to use, Annihilus and Characters/KangTheConqueror, were unavailable due to being tied up in the Fox-owned Fantastic Four movie rights [[note]]While Kang is best-known as an Avengers villain, he debuted in ''Fantastic Four'' and has been implied to be a descendant of both Reed Richards and [[Characters/MarvelComicsDoctorDoom Doctor Doom]].[[/note]]. Following the purchase of Fox by Disney, it was announced that Kang would make his MCU debut in ''Film/AntManAndTheWaspQuantumania'', with the character's He Who Remains persona getting an EarlyBirdCameo of sorts in the first season finale of ''Series/{{Loki}}''.

** The embargo on Batman due to his films also extends to his multiverse doppelgangers from ''ComicBook/DarkNightsMetal'', as ''Series/TheFlash2014'' was told he couldn't depict Red Death as a version of Bruce Wayne or Thomas Wayne, forcing the show to make the character a version of [[Series/Batwoman2019 Ryan Wilder]].

** It's believed that a contributing factor to the planned ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'' movie ending up in DevelopmentHell is that the live-action ''Series/Titans2018'' TV series currently features Dick Grayson as a main character. Likewise, there has been some speculation that ComicBook/{{Cyborg}} being a main character in the ''Series/DoomPatrol2019'' TV series may be part of the reason why there's been no movement on the planned ''Cyborg'' solo movie that was announced back in 2014.

** Similar to the Bat-Embargo, ComicBook/HarleyQuinn was barred from appearing in Season 3 of ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' because of her role in the ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'' movie. She had been given a brief {{Cameo}} in Season 2 (shown only from behind), but future planned appearances were axed once the movie was officially given the go-ahead from WB. ComicBook/{{Deadshot}} and Amanda Waller were killed off in Seasons 3 & 4 respectively for the same reason (though Captain Boomerang, another character who had appeared in ''Arrow'' and in the Suicide Squad film, was instead a ''former'' member of the Squad whom served as the main villain for the ''Arrow'' portion of the crossover between ''Arrow'' and ''The Flash'', and was locked up in the same prison as Deathstroke mentioned below, though ultimately being let out and killed off in the season 5 finale around the same time Deathstroke was freed). [[ComicBook/BlueBeetle Ted Kord]] was intended to have a recurring role in Season 3 (building off mentions to his company Kord Industries); before the season started filming, DC Executives pulled an embargo due to having unspecified plans for Blue Beetle in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse (rumoured to be a team-up/buddy flick with ComicBook/BoosterGold), and the character was rewritten to be [[ComicBook/TheAtom Ray Palmer]]. The writers also got around the Deadshot embargo by having his Earth-2 counterpart (ironically, a ''terrible'' shot, who can't hit a target from six feet away) show up in Season 2 of ''Series/TheFlash2014''. Season 7 of ''Arrow'' briefly resurrected the Suicide Squad under another LawyerFriendlyCameo as the Ghost Initiative.

** ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} was also exiled from the Arrowverse continuity right around the time Deadshot was killed off. Slade was not dead though - just sitting in his cell in Lian Yu, seemingly never to be seen or heard from again due to his appearances in the upcoming ''Justice League'' movie and the solo Creator/BenAffleck Batman SpinOff. As a LawyerFriendlyCameo, his son Grant, the first Ravager (and whose DeathByOriginStory was the central reason for Slade opposing the ComicBook/TeenTitans) is depicted as the new Deathstroke, and leader of a Deathstroke Gang, of a possible future seen in ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'', a different future seen later in ''Arrow'' season 7 nullifying this future. However, as rewrites of DCEU movies resulted in Deathstroke no longer being in the ''Justice League'' movie and ''The Batman'' script undergoing total rewrite, Arrow!Slade's TheBusCameBack, with him appearing again in Seasons 5 and 6. However, now that he HAS appeared in ''Film/JusticeLeague2017,'' they're apparently losing him again, as the show's version of his son Joe (Teen Titans member Jericho, a mute metahuman who can possess people) becomes another Deathstroke and a member of the aforementioned Ghost Initiative in season 7, and season 8 brings back the Deathstroke Gang to the altered future, with the reveal of [[AntagonisticOffspring JJ Diggle]] now leading them, though Grant is established as the previous leader. It is also presumed, like with Nightwing above, that Deathstroke's appearance in the second season of ''Titans'' was allowed due to the lack of development on the solo ''Deathstroke'' movie, as well as the character being removed from the revamped ''Film/TheBatman2022'' movie.
** ''Series/{{Titans|2018}}'' itself was hit with several character restrictions. Though Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon were allowed to appear in plainclothes, they were not shown in costume as Batman or Comicbook/{{Batgirl}}, likely due to their planned live-action film projects at the time.[[note]]Batman did appear in a LotusEaterMachine Dick experienced at the end of Season 1, but was deliberately only shown in glimpses.[[/note]] Similarly, while Comicbook/TheJoker's murder of Jason Todd was adapted in the Season 3 premier, the Joker himself was never shown in full ''and'' was killed offscreen by the end of the episode, seemingly to avoid any perceived conflict with the Creator/JoaquinPhoenix ''Film/{{Joker|2019}}'' movie or Creator/MattReeves' usage of the character in ''Film/TheBatman2022''. Lastly, Comicbook/{{Superboy}}'s creator Comicbook/LexLuthor was finally allowed to appear in Season 4 (after previously [[TheGhost having only been mentioned in prior seasons]]), [[spoiler:but the writers were forced to kill him off in the premier, with showrunner Greg Walker later confirming that DC only allowed them to use Lex for a single episode]].
** Speaking of ''Titans'', the show's usage of Dick Grayson, Jason Todd and Tim Drake led to the characters being declared off-limits to the CW's ''Series/GothamKnights2023'' pilot. This prompted the otherwise baffling decision to introduce a CanonForeigner SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute named Turner Hayes as Bruce Wayne's adopted son in the ''Gotham Knights'' universe.

** It's widely believed that for many years, DC did not allow the character ComicBook/BlackLightning to appear in any DC animation (thus resulting in several [[ElectricBlackGuy expies]]) because that would require paying royalties to the character's creator. This seems to have finally broken in 2009, and the character has since appeared in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanBatmanPublicEnemies'', ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueCrisisOnTwoEarths'', ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', and a series of WesternAnimation/DCNation shorts. According to ''[=BatB=]'''s staff, the entire thing turned out to be because the legal team were under the impression that DC didn't have rights to the character. When the show's staff asked exactly who did, further investigation turned up the fact that there weren't any legal hang-ups with Black Lightning in the first place. Go figure.
** ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'' enforced a policy nicknamed by fans as the "Bat-Embargo" that made it so that any prominent Franchise/{{Batman}} character besides the Caped Crusader himself, a few appearances from ComicBook/{{Huntress}}, and cameos from Creeper, couldn't appear in the series (with the series instead having to make due with lesser-known Batman characters such as Blockbuster and [=KGBeast=]). This was because ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'' was airing at the same time, and executives were under the impression of [[ViewersAreMorons audiences being unable to grasp the concept of different continuities]]. A similar restriction was in place for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'', although this one was mutual and prevented Robin from showing up on ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'' until the fourth season (which gave us ComicBook/{{Batgirl}} [[AdaptationalEarlyAppearance appearing first]])[[note]]It's assumed the restriction also affected minor Batman rogue (and original Batgirl foe) Killer Moth, as he was made a RoguesGalleryTransplant in ''Teen Titans'' and didn't show up on ''The Batman'' until season 4 either when he joined a LegionOfDoom consisting of Penguin, Killer Croc, Rag Doll, and Firefly[[/note]]. Later, when ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} received the failed live-action pilot for the CW, Aquaman and his supporting cast could not appear on JLU either (leading to the creation of "Devil Ray", and, likely, the replacement of Wonder Woman for Aquaman in the plot of "To Another Shore").

** ''Film/BlackAdam2022'' had to write Stargirl out of its version of the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica due to the ''Series/Stargirl2020'' TV series, leading to her being replaced with Cyclone (who even gained her implied romantic interest in Atom Smasher). Creator/DwayneJohnson also confirmed that Hawkgirl was deemed off-limits due to certain unspecified restrictions. Lastly, DC Studios head Walter Hamada initially vetoed a planned appearance from Superman[[note]]Superman had been in limbo on film since 2017 due to contractual disputes, with it being heavily rumored that ''Film/TheFlash2023'' was originally going to outright [[RetGone wipe the character from continuity]] and replace him with Comicbook/{{Supergirl}}.[[/note]], but Hamada's removal from power following the Warner Brothers-Discovery merger allowed the filmmakers to shoot a last minute cameo from Creator/HenryCavill as the character just before release.

** Marvel made a deal with Sony and regained the animation rights for ''Spider-Man'' at the end of ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'''s run. Hence, due to only regaining the animation rights at-the-time recently, Spidey wasn't able to appear on ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperHeroSquadShow'' despite one: having toys on the ''SHS'' toy line and two: most every other prominent Marvel character appearing in the series as well. (He did make a retroactive appearance via ''[[WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012 Ultimate Spider-Man]]'', though.)

*** ''[[WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012 Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' featured ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and several X-Men villains like ComicBook/{{Sabretooth}}, the ComicBook/{{Juggernaut|MarvelComics}} and Mesmero in the early seasons. However, by the time the series was nearing the end of Season 3, the ban was in place, preventing Wolverine and the baddies from returning for the ''ComicBook/{{Contest of Champions|1982}}'' adaptation (which notably brought back a bunch of other heroes and villains from prior episodes). By the time of Season 4, mutant characters (save for ComicBook/SquirrelGirl, who, despite being a mutant, traditionally had little to no interaction with the X-Men) ceased appearing altogether.

* This extends to ''WesternAnimation/TheLEGOMovie'' and its sequel/spinoffs, despite Marvel having a successful line of LEGO tie-ins. The movie was made by Creator/WarnerBros, which is why DC characters such as Franchise/{{Batman}}, Franchise/WonderWoman, and the Franchise/{{Justice League|OfAmerica}} make major appearances, but Marvel properties like Iron Man or the Avengers are only mentioned, usually in the form of a TakeThat.

* Because the film rights of the Comicbook/XMen and Comicbook/FantasticFour belonged to Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox until its purchase by Disney in 2019, characters from those franchises were not allowed to appear in the direct-to-DVD animated films co-produced by Marvel Studios and Creator/{{Lionsgate}}:
** One of the main characters of ''WesternAnimation/NextAvengersHeroesOfTomorrow'' is Azari, the son of Comicbook/BlackPanther and Comicbook/{{Storm}}. Storm is only seen from behind in a flashback sequence and never gets identified by name, with the opening narration from Iron Man instead calling her T'Challa's "queen." Additionally, while Azari is implicitly a mutant (having inherited superpowers from both parents), that term never gets used to describe him.
** While Comicbook/TheIlluminati appear in the opening scene of ''WesternAnimation/PlanetHulk'', Mister Fantastic is shown only in shadow, with his face and chest logo deliberately obscured for legal reasons. Comicbook/ProfessorX, meanwhile, doesn't appear at all, nor does [[Comicbook/SubMariner Namor]], whose film rights belonged to Creator/UniversalStudios at the time.

** ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'' rights were sold off to Fox, who made the 2003 ''Film/{{Daredevil}}'' movie and 2005 ''Film/{{Elektra}}'' spinoff. In 2012, the rights returned to Marvel, who used them to create the ''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}'' TV series, which kicked off the Creator/{{Netflix}} branch of the MCU that would eventually grow into six series interconnected with each other, but for the longest time were mostly separated from the movies due to legal issues. Such issues were resolved in 2021, which allowed Daredevil to appear in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' and ''Series/SheHulkAttorneyAtLaw'', and Comicbook/TheKingpin in ''Series/Hawkeye2021'', finally cementing their canonicity to the greater MCU.
** ''ComicBook/GhostRider'' rights were sold off to Sony, who released the ''Film/GhostRider2007'' film in 2007 and ''Film/GhostRiderSpiritOfVengeance'' sequel in 2012. In 2013 the rights returned to Marvel, which allowed for ''ComicBook/AllNewGhostRider'' Robbie Reyes to prominently feature in the fourth season of ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD''

** Particular oddballs in the licensing issues are ComicBook/ScarletWitch and ComicBook/{{Quicksilver}} who, being equally known in comics as mutants and as Avengers, [[https://moviepilot.com/p/avengers-2-what-s-the-deal-with-the-mutants/395144 had their film rights licensed to BOTH Marvel Studios and Fox]]; the catch was that Marvel Studios could not refer to them as mutants or mention their father [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]], and Fox could not reference the Avengers through them. In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' it's explained that they got their powers due to being experimented on with Loki's scepter (which contained the Mind Stone, one of the six Infinity Stones) by Comicbook/{{HYDRA}} rather than being mutants, with the term "enhanced" used to describe them instead. While Scarlet Witch never actually appeared in any films made by Fox, Quicksilver was featured in the later ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' movies (specifically ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'', ''Film/XMenApocalypse'', ''Film/DarkPhoenix'' and a cameo in ''Film/{{Deadpool 2}}'') in addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Creator/EvanPeters portraying him in the former franchise and Creator/AaronJohnson doing so in the latter. It’s been speculated that the death of the MCU Quicksilver at the end of ''Age of Ultron'' was at least partially due to worries about audiences being confused by two separate versions of the character being used at the same time. After Disney bought Fox, ''Series/WandaVision'' hinted that Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver instead already had powers from a young age, which were amplified by their experimentation, possibly an attempt to retcon their story to bring mutants into canon.

*** Sony eventually still chose to proceed with solo movies focused on Spider-Man's supporting cast in addition to the co-produced MCU Spider-Man films. ''Film/{{Venom 2018}}'' was the first solo movie to be announced, followed by movies dedicated to Film/{{Morbius}}, ComicBook/SilverSable, and ComicBook/BlackCat. Despite the initial suggestion from Amy Pascale that these films would also be set in the MCU, this proved not to be the case, with TheStinger of ''Film/VenomLetThereBeCarnage'' confirming that they take place in an alternate universe. Likewise, ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'''s mid-credits sequence [[spoiler:ended with part of the Venom symbiote being left behind in the MCU after Eddie was briefly teleported there, indicating that if Marvel does introduce Venom in the future, their version will not be connected to the one seen in Sony's solo films]].

* Disney's Creator/DisneyPlus service is intended to be the exclusive home for the ''Franchise/StarWars'' franchise and the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse. However, despite featuring ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'' and ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' at launch, several other recent movies like ''Film/BlackPanther2018'' and ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' were off-limits until 2020 due to being available on other streaming platforms when Disney+ launched. Beginning in 2022, Disney+ will get second-run streaming rights to Sony movies, including the ''Spider-Man'' franchise. As for ''Star Wars'', they ''almost'' fell into this as [[Creator/{{TNT}} Turner]] [[Creator/{{TBS}} Broadcasting]] has exclusive broadcast rights to all films up to ''Film/{{Solo}}'' until 2024, but Disney somehow managed to get the streaming rights for the films to make them available for the service's launch.

** ''WesternAnimation/{{Ninjago}}'', ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'', and ''WesternAnimation/MegaManFullyCharged'' are absent due to being owned by the LEGO Group, SEGA, and Creator/{{Capcom}} respectively.

** ''ComicBook/GhostRider'' rights were sold off to Sony, who released the ''Film/GhostRider'' film in 2007 and ''Film/GhostRiderSpiritOfVengeance'' sequel in 2012. In 2013 the rights returned to Marvel, which allowed for ''ComicBook/AllNewGhostRider'' Robbie Reyes to prominently feature in the fourth season of ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD''

** Due to a long-stalled film project, the John Stewart version of Comicbook/GreenLantern was barred from appearing in ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'', with a previously-filmed cameo of the character [[DeletedRole being deleted]] and replaced with a similar appearance from Comicbook/MartianManhunter. The same restrictions also initially kept John and his predecessor Hal Jordan from being used in the Creator/HBOMax ''Series/GreenLantern'' series, with the writers instead having to focus on other [=GL=]s like Guy Gardner, Jessica Cruz and Alan Scott. However, after a massive executive shakeup at DC Studios following the 2022 purchase of WB by Discovery, Stewart was ultimately allowed to be used as the series' main character.

** ''Film/BlackAdam'' had to write Stargirl out of its version of the Comicbook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica due to the ''Series/{{Stargirl}}'' TV series, leading to her being replaced with Cyclone (who even gained her implied romantic interest in Atom Smasher). Creator/DwayneJohnson also confirmed that Hawkgirl was deemed off-limits due to certain unspecified restrictions. Lastly, DC Studios head Walter Hamada initially vetoed a planned appearance from Superman[[note]]Superman had been in limbo on film since 2017 due to contractual disputes, with it being heavily rumored that ''Film/TheFlash2023'' was originally going to outright [[RetGone wipe the character from continuity]] and replace him with Comicbook/{{Supergirl}}.[[/note]], but Hamada's removal from power following the Warner Brothers-Discovery merger allowed the filmmakers to shoot a last minute cameo from Creator/HenryCavill as the character just before release.

** The cameo of the Comicbook/{{Justice League|Of America}} in the first season finale of ''Series/{{Peacemaker}}'' featured the entire team except for Batman and Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}. [[FakeShemp Stand-ins for Batman and Cyborg]] actually were present when the scene was filmed, but the uncertain future of both characters at the time[[note]]Creator/BenAffleck had publicly stated his intention to retire from the role in ''Film/TheFlash2023'', with it being rumored that Creator/MichaelKeaton would take over as the [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse DCEU]] Batman, while Creator/RayFisher refused to work for Warner Brothers unless DC Studios head Walter Hamada was fired (Hamada ''was'' fired later on long after the finalized cameo was produced, but Ray Fisher's obligations with ''Rebel Moon'', directed by DCEU veteran Creator/ZackSnyder, might be the obstacle now).[[/note]] led to their removal.

** References to ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' were also largely absent, thanks to those shows/blocks being retroactively considered part of Creator/AdultSwim despite starting on CN before AS' existence (and [[ThinkOfTheChildren not wanting kids to watch Adult Swim]]). No Creator/AdultSwim shows are shown due to the network treating it as its own brand (along with being unsuitable for children). There's a graffiti doodle of Clyde 49, Toonami's first mascot, and a small cameo of Ghost Planet near the end of the ep, but that's about it. Funnily, the show was still able to reference ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' and ''WesternAnimation/12OunceMouse'' in later episodes.

** References to ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' were also largely absent, thanks to those shows/blocks being retroactively considered part of Creator/AdultSwim despite starting on CN before AS' existence (and [[ThinkOfTheChildren not wanting kids to watch Adult Swim]]). No Creator/AdultSwim shows are shown due to the network treating it as its own brand (along with being unsuitable for children). There's a graffiti doodle of Clyde 49, Toonami's first mascot, and a small cameo of Ghost Planet near the end of the ep, but that's about it. Funnily, the show was still able to reference ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' and ''WesternAnimation/12oz.Mouse'' in later episodes.

** References to ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' were also largely absent, thanks to those shows/blocks being retroactively considered part of Creator/AdultSwim despite starting on CN before AS' existence (and [[ThinkOfTheChildren not wanting kids to watch Adult Swim]]). No Creator/AdultSwim shows are shown due to the network treating it as its own brand (along with being unsuitable for children). There's a graffiti doodle of Clyde 49, Toonami's first mascot, and a small cameo of Ghost Planet near the end of the ep, but that's about it. Funnily, the show was still able to reference ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' and ''WesternAnimation/12 oz. Mouse'' in later episodes.

** References to ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' were also largely absent, thanks to those shows/blocks being retroactively considered part of Creator/AdultSwim despite starting on CN before AS' existence (and [[ThinkOfTheChildren not wanting kids to watch Adult Swim]]). No Creator/AdultSwim shows are shown due to the network treating it as its own brand (along with being unsuitable for children). There's a graffiti doodle of Clyde 49, Toonami's first mascot, and a small cameo of Ghost Planet near the end of the ep, but that's about it. Funnily, the show was still able to reference ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' and ''WesternAnimation/12Oz.Mouse'' in later episodes.

** References to ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' were also largely absent, thanks to those shows/blocks being retroactively considered part of Creator/AdultSwim despite starting on CN before AS' existence (and [[ThinkOfTheChildren not wanting kids to watch Adult Swim]]). No Creator/AdultSwim shows are shown due to the network treating it as its own brand (along with being unsuitable for children). There's a graffiti doodle of Clyde 49, Toonami's first mascot, and a small cameo of Ghost Planet near the end of the ep, but that's about it. Funnily, the show was still able to reference ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' and ''WesternAnimation/12OzMouse'' in later episodes.

** References to ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' were also largely absent, thanks to those shows/blocks being retroactively considered part of Creator/AdultSwim despite starting on CN before AS' existence (and [[ThinkOfTheChildren not wanting kids to watch Adult Swim]]). No Creator/AdultSwim shows are shown due to the network treating it as its own brand (along with being unsuitable for children). There's a graffiti doodle of Clyde 49, Toonami's first mascot, and a small cameo of Ghost Planet near the end of the ep, but that's about it. Funnily, the show was still able to reference ''[[AquaTeenHungerForce]]'' and ''[[12OzMouse]]'' in later episodes.

** References to ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast'' and ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' were also largely absent, thanks to those shows/blocks being retroactively considered part of Creator/AdultSwim despite starting on CN before AS' existence (and [[ThinkOfTheChildren not wanting kids to watch Adult Swim]]). No Creator/AdultSwim shows are shown due to the network treating it as its own brand (along with being unsuitable for children). There's a graffiti doodle of Clyde 49, Toonami's first mascot, and a small cameo of Ghost Planet near the end of the ep, but that's about it.

** On a related note, Fox having the ''X-Men'' license meant that the very concept of mutants couldn't be used in the first three phases of the MCU. In addition to the AdaptationSpeciesChange mentioned for Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, a line where Nick Fury explicitly referenced mutants was cut from the first ''Film/{{Iron Man|1}}'' movie, along with a similar allusion to Spider-Man. On the TV side of things, ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'' initially used the catch-all term "gifted" to refer to characters with superpowers, before introducing [[Comicbook/TheInhumans Inhumans]] in the second season and essentially having them fill the same role traditionally held by mutants in the comics (right down to a storyline involving a cure for Inhuman powers). ''Series/{{Runaways}}'', meanwhile, was still able use Molly Hayes (a mutant child in the comics), but with the character reimagined as a normal human girl who got superpowers from [[GreenRocks extraterrestrial rocks]] that were being studied by her scientist parents. In 2022, the concept of mutants would formally be introduced into the franchise in both ''Series/MsMarvel'' and ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever''.

Elements ExiledFromContinuity for commercial and/or corporate reasons (usually branding). It is these that really get up in people's rig. These are almost entirely the result of ExecutiveMeddling.

Elements ExiledFromContinuity for commercial and/or corporate reasons. It is these that really get up in people's rig. These are almost entirely the result of ExecutiveMeddling.

* The ''DC Universe'' streaming service is supposed to include almost every media adaptation of works by Creator/DCComics. Unfortunately, the serial films ''Film/{{The Batman|Serial}}'' (not to be confused with [[Film/TheBatman2022 the 2022 film]]) and ''Film/{{Batman and Robin|Serial}}'' (not to be confused with [[Film/BatmanAndRobin another film from 1997]]) and the ''Series/Batman1966'' TV series (as well as its [[Film/BatmanTheMovie tie-in movie]]) are unlikely to be included in the service as all three adaptations are under different ownership (Sony for the first two; Disney/Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox for the third, with WB only being licensed to handle home video distribution for that one). It was because of these ownership issues that caused them to be left out of the service's free access event for ''Batman''-related media during an 80th anniversary franchise celebration. Also affected are the ''Red'' movies, ''Film/Red2010'' and ''Film/Red2'', all of which are owned by Creator/{{Lionsgate}}[=/=]Creator/SummitEntertainment, ''Film/RoadToPerdition'', co-owned between Creator/DreamWorks[=/=]Creator/{{Paramount}} and Disney/Fox, and ''WesternAnimation/WildCATS1994'', owned by Creator/{{Nelvana}}. The biggest loser from this, though, is ComicBook/SwampThing, as ''all'' of his movies and shows are under different ownership[[note]]To clarify, Creator/StudioCanal and MGM own the first film, the sequel ''Return of Swamp Thing'' is owned by Lightyear Entertainment, the live-action series is owned by Creator/{{Universal}}, and the animated series is owned by Creator/WildBrain[[/note]], which may explain why WB opted to produce an original show for him on the service.

** The cameo of the Comicbook/{{Justice League|Of America}} in the first season finale of ''Series/{{Peacemaker}}'' featured the entire team except for Batman and Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}. [[FakeShemp Stand-ins for Batman and Cyborg]] actually were present when the scene was filmed, but the uncertain future of both characters at the time[[note]]Creator/BenAffleck had publicly stated his intention to retire from the role in ''Film/TheFlash2023'', with it being rumored that Creator/MichaelKeaton would take over as the [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse DCEU]] Batman, while Creator/RayFisher refused to work for Warner Brothers unless DC Studios head Walter Hamada was fired (Hamada ''was'' fired later on long after the finalized cameo was produced, but Ray Fisher's obligations with ''Film/RebelMoon'', directed by DCEU veteran Creator/ZackSnyder, might be the obstacle now).[[/note]] led to their removal.

** The cameo of the Comicbook/{{Justice League|Of America}} in the first season finale of ''Series/{{Peacemaker}}'' featured the entire team except for Batman and Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}. [[FakeShemp Stand-ins for Batman and Cyborg]] actually were present when the scene was filmed, but the uncertain future of both characters at the time[[note]]Creator/BenAffleck had publicly stated his intention to retire from the role in ''Film/TheFlash2023'', with it being rumored that Creator/MichaelKeaton would take over as the [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse DCEU]] Batman, while Creator/RayFisher refused to work for Warner Brothers unless DC Studios head Walter Hamada was fired.[[/note]] led to their removal.

* Because the film rights of the Comicbook/XMen and Comicbook/FantasticFour belonged to Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox until its purchase by Disney in 2019, characters from those franchises were not allowed to appear in the direct-to-DVD animated films co-produced by Marvel Studios and Creator/{{Lionsgate}}.

** While Comicbook/TheIlluminati appear in the opening scene of ''WesternAnimation/PlanetHulk'', Mister Fantastic is shown only in shadow, with his face and chest logo deliberate obscured for legal reasons. Comicbook/ProfessorX, meanwhile, doesn't appear at all, nor does [[Comicbook/SubMariner Namor]], whose film rights belonged to Creator/UniversalStudios at the time.

** When adapting ''Big Hero 6'' from [[ComicBook/SunfireAndBigHero6 an obscure Marvel comic]] to [[WesternAnimation/BigHero6 a Disney animated movie]], both Disney and Marvel mutually agreed to divorce the characters from the Franchise/MarvelUniverse entirely. Not only does the movie not reference any Marvel elements outside of a Creator/StanLee cameo during the credits, but Marvel exiled the team from the comics as well, to the point where Marvel has stated they'll never reprint the old comics. The team's last appearance in Marvel continuity was in 2012, where they appeared in the ''Spider-Man'' storyline ''ComicBook/EndsOfTheEarth''. The exceptions to this exile are Sunfire and Silver Samurai, who, as preexisting characters that originated in the X-Men franchise, were unable to appear in the film to begin with (as their movie rights belonged to Fox, with a version of Silver Samurai appearing in ''Film/TheWolverine''). Thus, they still appear in the comics without issue, with Sunfire even becoming a member of the X-Men during [[ComicBook/XMen2019 the Krakoa era]].