Overview of Howard the Duck’s Rejection in Marvel vs. Capcom
- Howard the Duck was considered for inclusion in Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes but ultimately was deemed too unpopular.
- A development essay by producer Kenji Kataoka revealed Howard was intended as a parody character akin to Dan Hibiki from Street Fighter.
- Marvel also rejected numerous iconic characters for the game, including Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, and Venom.
In the expansive world of Marvel vs. Capcom, Howard the Duck stands out as a character that almost made it into the lineup of Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. However, Marvel Comics ultimately rejected him, citing a lack of popularity. This iconic crossover series has its roots in Capcom’s collaboration with Marvel, which began with the release of X-Men: Children of the Atom in 1995 and evolved through several titles, including Marvel Super Heroes and X-Men vs. Street Fighter.
Released in 1998, Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes was the third installment in this beloved franchise. The game maintained its popular 2v2 tag-team gameplay while introducing a range of new characters. Notable fighters such as Ryu, Mega Man, and Morrigan represented Capcom, whereas Marvel showcased icons like Wolverine, Cyclops, and Spider-Man. In a revealing 1998 development essay, Kenji Kataoka discussed the initial plans for the game, including Howard the Duck’s regrettable exclusion from the roster.
This essay, previously part of a now-defunct website dedicated to behind-the-scenes insights into the game’s development, has been archived and translated by EventHubs. Kataoka initially proposed Howard as a humorous addition to the roster, intending to create a character similar to Street Fighter’s Dan Hibiki. While there was initial enthusiasm from the character design team and Marvel, a representative ultimately dismissed the idea due to Howard’s low popularity, insisting on incorporating characters that aligned with the traditional superhero aesthetic. Despite Kataoka’s efforts to advocate for the concept of a joke fighter, the proposal was firmly rejected, leading to Howard’s incomplete development.
Other Notable Rejections in Marvel vs. Capcom
Kataoka also discussed the original vision for the game, which was intended as a direct sequel to Marvel Super Heroes, rather than as a crossover with Capcom. The initial lineup for the proposed Marvel Super Heroes 2 included fan-favorites like Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, The Mighty Thor, Psylocke, Venom, Jubilee, Mr. Fantastic, and of course, Howard the Duck, with Galactus set to be the final boss. However, like Howard, most of these characters were also declined. Kataoka humorously recalled the rejections: “Iron Man? No. Fantastic Four? No. Venom? No way. Howard the Duck? Absolutely not… No, no way, no how, a complete STORM of rejections.”
Interestingly, Marvel’s reluctance to feature Howard the Duck could stem from the infamous 1986 movie that failed to resonate with audiences and adversely affected the Marvel brand. Despite this, Howard has continued to forge a niche, earning a devoted cult following. In recent years, he has appeared in various Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, including the well-received Guardians of the Galaxy films. Fans are left wondering if Howard the Duck might finally find a home in the next installment of Marvel vs. Capcom.
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