"Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Heroes" was released back in 1998, and a sequel launched in 2000. It took 11 years before "Marvel vs Capcom 3" was released, and since then, Capcom has not given any updates on "Marvel vs Capcom 4." That silence is now rumored to be broken as the game may launch in 2017.
According to Polygon, numerous sources stated that the game is going to be showcased at the upcoming Playstation Experience event in Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. It will be shown around the same time that the Capcom Cup 2016 tournament for "Street Fighter V" will be held.
The report also points out that the game will likely focus on characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This means characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and the Guardians of the Galaxy are going to be given priority over characters like the X-Men.
It is further stated that the absence of "X-Men" characters, such as Wolverine and Cyclops, would be a major departure for the series. Capcom's earliest attempts at building a comic book fighting game had strong ties to the "X-Men" franchise, and removing them in "Marvel vs Capcom 4" would be a big change.
Capcom's license for the Marvel property expired back in 2013, and this is why there have been no updates for "Marvel vs Capcom 3" or no new entry in the franchise since then. However, if a fourth game will indeed be announced, then it means Capcom has reacquired the license.
Polygon spoke with Marvel representatives early in the year, but Marvel Games vice president Jay Ong only said that they understood that the fans wanted for more "Capcom vs Marvel," they but could not reveal what their plans are for the future.
No official release date has been announced as of the moment, and neither Marvel nor Capcom has confirmed if the game is being developed.
