Unveiling a Scrapped Marvel vs. Capcom Fighter
The Marvel vs. Capcom series is one of gaming’s most iconic crossovers, blending characters from Capcom games and Marvel Comics into fast-paced 2v2 battles. However, the series could have had a very different roster, including Howard the Duck.
In a translated 1998 development essay by Capcom producer Kenji Kataoka, shared via EventHubs, it was revealed that Howard the Duck was initially considered for Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. The game, released in 1998, was the third entry in the crossover franchise and introduced numerous iconic characters like Ryu, Spider-Man, and Mega Man.
Kataoka pitched Howard as a joke character akin to Street Fighter’s Dan Hibiki, and the idea initially gained Marvel’s support. However, Marvel representatives later rejected Howard, citing his lack of popularity and desire to focus on more traditional superhero characters. Despite Kataoka’s attempts to explain the humor behind the concept, the idea was scrapped mid-development.
Kataoka also revealed that Marvel vs. Capcom started as a potential sequel to Marvel Super Heroes, featuring a very different roster. Planned characters included Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Psylocke, Jubilee, Mr. Fantastic, Venom, and even Howard the Duck, with Galactus as the final boss. Ultimately, many of these suggestions were rejected, as Marvel was cautious about character selection, possibly due to the infamous 1986 Howard the Duck movie, which negatively impacted the character’s reputation.
While Howard has since made small cameos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans of the Marvel vs. Capcom series can only imagine what the quirky character could have brought to the roster. Perhaps his time in the series could still come.
