The MCU Needs To Go Back To Basics, But Is That Even Possible?

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The MCU Needs To Go Back To Basics, But Is That Even Possible?

Key Takeaways

  • Marvel Cinematic Universe is facing declining quality and box office returns in recent years.
  • The franchise needs to return to basics by focusing on standalone stories and tighter storytelling.
  • The upcoming film, Captain America: Brave New World, will mark a return to grounded storytelling for the MCU.

As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the digital worlds of Marvel, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when reminiscing about the golden days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The thrill of watching Iron Man take flight for the first time or witnessing the Avengers assemble was unparalleled. However, it seems that the magic has faded, and the MCU is in dire need of a comeback.

Boasting more than thirty movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has certainly earned a strong reputation. However, in recent times, this previously seemingly invincible franchise has faced numerous challenges. These include box office flops, complex storylines, and inconsistencies, which make it seem as though the Marvel Cinematic Universe has strayed from what initially made it so captivating, perhaps due to films like Iron Man and the first Avengers movie.

After more than twenty years, this studio is facing difficulties in maintaining the high-quality productions it was previously known for. The individual titles lack solidity, and the overall narrative seems disjointed. As the studio ponders its direction beyond Phase 6, it appears to be an opportune moment to revert back to fundamental principles for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Where Marvel Studios Fumbled

The MCU Needs To Go Back To Basics, But Is That Even Possible?

For two decades, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has stood out as an unrivaled franchise, achieving something many other studios couldn’t – creating a thriving series of comic book films that grossed nearly $30 billion at the box office. However, even with its impressive track record, the Marvel Cinematic Universe encountered several stumbles during its latest phase. After COVID-19 disrupted production, Marvel Studios aimed to make a grand comeback, releasing content for both television and cinema. Regrettably, the quality of the Marvel Cinematic Universe seemed to suffer, leading to a drop in box office earnings. Fans were no longer eagerly rushing to cinemas for new releases, and critics swiftly pointed out the significant fall in storytelling. The third installment of the franchise, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and the start of Phase 5, was perceived as a setback for the studio. Critics gave it a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it earned only $476.07 million globally. This marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s downward trend, with subsequent films following suit, including The Eternals, intended to launch a new franchise.

Instead of focusing on sequels and setup for future movies, each new installment seemed more geared towards team-up films and those establishing the future. Fortunately, it appears that, starting from next year, Marvel Studios may go back to making standalone stories that tie into the broader narrative, which is a positive development.

How the MCU Can Return to Greatness

In the upcoming year, Marvel Studios is gearing up to unveil a series of movies showcasing diverse characters and breathtaking visuals. Kicking off the new year will be “Captain America: A New Era,” a film centering on Sam Wilson’s transformation into Captain America, following his acquisition of the shield from Steve Rogers in the final moments of “The Avengers: Endgame” and his internal struggle portrayed in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” By returning to its roots, the Marvel Cinematic Universe intends to deliver a grounded narrative centered on the main character, while propelling the franchise’s plot forward. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has thrived by telling compelling individual stories about its characters, while maintaining connections with the broader storyline. Regrettably, the universe strayed from this formula, focusing excessively on introducing numerous characters and intricate yet unfocused narratives. Despite the success of the Infinity Saga, the Multiverse Saga has not lived up to the same enchantment.

So far, the Marvel Multiverse Saga has shown an inconsistent balance. Movies like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” cleverly utilized the multiverse to reintroduce Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. On the other hand, films such as “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” hinted at a multiversal horror theme but fell short in fully exploiting the multiverse concept, despite introducing America Chavez. The introduction of Deadpool and Wolverine into the Marvel Cinematic Universe via “Deadpool & Wolverine,” along with the concept of anchor beings, was a fresh addition that the MCU hadn’t explored earlier. Considering the significance of the multiverse to the Multiverse Saga, it seems the Marvel Cinematic Universe is yet to find its consistent approach in handling this concept. To ensure continued success, the MCU might need to revisit fundamental storytelling principles and have a clear, comprehensive plan from the outset, rather than building the narrative piece by piece as time progresses.

In February 2025, you’ll find the next installment from the Marvel Cinematic Universe titled “Captain America: A New World“.

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2024-09-17 02:05