Avi Arad has been talking about the Marvel film production deal and what's due on the slate, and the word is that what he wanted isn't what's happening.

From Business 2.0 through SuperheroHype comes the news that the priorities are changing somewhat. Arad had wanted Captain America as the first out from the company, but that doesn't appear to be.

...insiders say Arad had hoped to make Captain America Marvel's debut film. But that's not happening; Arad says he couldn't line up the director he wanted until 2009. Moreover, two films Arad now says could be among those first out of the gate, the Hulk sequel and Iron Man, aren't covered by the Merrill loan, which means Marvel will need another way to finance them.

That deal, let me remind you, is a sweet $525 million, and that's a lot of cash. The article is quick to point out that they are under intense scrutiny and that not many people believe they can pull a decent profit from the ten film plan, after all the big names have already gone to the screen. Now they're thinking of a sequel to the poor Hulk, a Captain America in today's political climate, and Iron Man, Nick Fury, Black Widow, Iron Fist, Deathlok and Ant-Man who don't command the broad appeal as the other onscreen supes. All the while Surfer is left to languish and X-Men are on their last stand.

It is a concern. However, what isn't is Hulk's new opponent.

Arad has chosen one of his favorite baddies: Abomination, a former Yugoslav spy who has mutated into a 980-pound freak of terrifying strength and unpleasant demeanor.

Wooo...an even less well known baddie. When can we expect Captain Doorknob and Johnnie Unknown? At least we'll have Wolverine and Magneto to keep us going.