The MCU May Have A Young Avengers Problem

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The MCU May Have A Young Avengers Problem

Key Takeaways

  • Phase 5 of Marvel seeks new heroes with Young Avengers to replace originals.
  • The Young Avengers team is diverse, differs from the comics, and needs an engaging introduction.
  • Marvel must invest in depth for young heroes in shows to build fan excitement.

As a hardcore Marvel fan and someone who grew up with the original Avengers, I must say that the introduction of the Young Avengers has me both excited and skeptical. The comics have always been a source of joy for me, and seeing the Young Avengers come to life on screen is a dream come true. However, Marvel needs to be careful not to repeat the mistakes they made with Phase 4.

The current stage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe seems less unified and somewhat haphazard in its execution. Yet, it’s managed to achieve something effectively – by introducing the concept of the Young Avengers in Phase 5. This move signifies a gradual transition from the established Avengers team, a shift that comic book enthusiasts have been anticipating eagerly for a chance to witness on the big screen. However, despite the excitement, it appears the Young Avengers may face challenges even before they officially unite.

For some time now, there have been whispers that Marvel Studios is working on a Young Avengers production. In the recent post-credits scene of The Marvels, Kamala began the process of forming this team. Typically, the Avengers films are grand spectacles with well-known stars at the forefront. However, unlike its predecessors, the Young Avengers project might concentrate more on budding actors and a cast of relatively unknown young heroes that the general public may not be familiar with. So, how can Disney and Marvel ensure a Young Avengers project resonates?

Who Are the Young Avengers?

The MCU May Have A Young Avengers Problem

The Young Avengers is a group of youthful superheroes initially spearheaded by Iron Lad. They made their debut as a unified force in the Marvel Comics universe in issue #1 of Young Avengers, penned by Allan Heinberg and illustrated by Jim Cheung, back in April 2005. This team was formed under the Avengers’ contingency plan, known as the Fail-Safe Program, which enlisted young heroes who shared lineage with the established Avengers. The initial lineup included Iron Lad, Eli Bradley, Billy Kaplan, and Teddy Altman.

Over time, the team composition in comics has evolved, just like how a team can change in any sport. The current version includes characters such as America Chavez, Kate Bishop (who is also known as Hawkeye), Hulkling, Marvel Boy, Patriot, Speed, Stinger, and Wiccan. Some of these figures have already been introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). For example, America Chavez (portrayed by Xochitl Gomez) and Kate Bishop (played by Hailee Steinfeld) made their debut in Phase 5. Additionally, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier hinted at the potential future of Patriot within the MCU.

Although the team has been traditionally portrayed in the comics, Marvel Studios is known for mixing things up when it comes to translating stories to the big screen. As hinted at the end of The Marvels, Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) appears to be forming a team, similar to how Nick Fury did. Kate Bishop and characters like Riri Williams’ Ironheart and Cassandra Lang’s Stature are among those who have shown interest in joining this potential new team, as Marvel Studios continues to introduce a growing number of promising young heroes destined for the big screen.

It’s highly probable that the lineup of the Young Avengers in the upcoming series won’t mirror the comic book version, much like how the film adaptations of the main Avengers team have deviated from their original forms. This change is likely to excite comic fans, but casual viewers might not be familiar with these characters since they haven’t received the same spotlight as the original Avengers in Marvel Studios productions so far. To generate enthusiasm for these young heroes, Marvel Studios could:

How to Make People Excited About the Young Avengers

As a passionate gamer, let me share my take on how Marvel Studios strategically assembled the original Avengers team on screen: They meticulously built up each superhero, giving them their own movies first – Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Thor. Meanwhile, Hawkeye and Black Widow made their initial appearances in Iron Man 2 and Thor, respectively. This gradual introduction allowed fans to connect with the characters and understand them better before they united to save the universe from an alien menace. The anticipation leading up to 2012’s The Avengers was palpable, leaving us eagerly awaiting the first time these heroes would team up on screen.

It seems unlikely that the Young Avengers will become as prominent as the established Marvel characters, given their current introduction methods. Some of them are debuting in Disney+ series, while others are appearing in movies. The Disney+ series are still growing in popularity and haven’t yet matched the success of the films. So far, WandaVision and Loki have been the most-watched shows, with Ms. Marvel having high ratings but not attracting as many viewers as its predecessors. This issue was compounded by The Marvels underperforming at the box office.

If Kamala Harris (not to be confused with Vice President Kamala Harris) is slated to lead the Young Avengers team in Marvel’s cinematic universe, it becomes crucial for Marvel Studios to maximize the visibility of Ms. Marvel, possibly by ensuring a second season of her series, so that she can captivate as many viewers as possible. Similarly, America Chavez, who made her debut in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” is another character introduced by Marvel Studios, but has not yet left a lasting impression on the MCU. This suggests that Marvel needs to provide these characters with more screen time to create excitement among audiences and make them eager for future appearances.

To ensure that the Young Avengers project replicates the enchantment of the Avengers series, it’s crucial for the studio to emphasize on creating a compelling desire among audiences to witness these characters joining forces. Present their individual narratives, allow them space to shine independently, and then orchestrate their union as they strive to match the feats of their predecessors. The success of Young Avengers hinges on Marvel Studios having greater confidence in these heroes; they need to be more than just secondary characters serving a larger narrative purpose.

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2024-09-06 17:04