Avengers: Doomsday – MCU’s Fresh Start or Dull Epilogue?

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Summary

  • The Multiverse Saga struggled post-Endgame due to an overabundance of projects and less cohesive storytelling.
  • MCU plans a fresh start with Avengers: Doomsday, focusing on a Mutant-centric direction.
  • Russo brothers aim for a bold, consistent creative vision to prevent MCU from spiraling into a dull epilogue.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I must express my excitement over the recent teaser drop by Marvel Studios for “Avengers: Doomsday”. It’s clear they are gearing up for production, and the intriguing glimpse into the film left me on the edge of my seat. The slow reveal of countless chairs against a pulsating superhero soundtrack hinted at an epic spectacle to come – one that Disney undoubtedly anticipates will ignite our anticipation. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if this was the spark Kevin Feige had envisioned? With Marvel leaving no stone unturned in their quest to overcome the setbacks of late, I’m eagerly awaiting what they have in store for us next!

Since the release of “Avengers: Endgame,” the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been grappling with finding a clear purpose for its expansive, interconnected film series. The Multiverse Saga spanning Phases 4-5 struggled to captivate viewers on several levels. The COVID-19 pandemic hindered Marvel’s ability to fill cinemas, but their production approach was anything but straightforward. The sheer volume of Marvel projects launched in Phase 4 eclipsed the entire release schedule of the MCU from Phases 1-3. This meant that viewers had to keep up with not only the theatrical releases of the MCU but also crucial plot points and character development taking place on numerous Disney+ TV shows, significantly increasing the viewing time for diehard Marvel fans.

The strategy of boosting production volume resulted in a noticeable decline in the uniform quality of the films, with several major releases, such as “Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania,” underperforming significantly at the box office. These narratives were crucial for introducing Kang the Conqueror in the upcoming Avengers installment, but they failed to resonate with audiences. Instead of generating excitement for an annual event, Marvel has started to feel like a tireless buffet offering too much content.

Essentially, this phase of Marvel was defined by the multiverse storyline which suffered a significant setback when Jonathan Majors, who played Kang the Conqueror, faced numerous legal complications and had to withdraw from the project. This disrupted Kevin Feige’s plan for continuity in Phases 4-5, leading to a sense of creative instability within Marvel. Despite these challenges, the Multiverse Saga failed to replicate the cohesive, cosmic storytelling of the Infinity Saga. There were only a few instances where character connections carried over from one production to another, and the transition from Phase 4 to Phase 5 was relatively low-key.

After Majors’ fall, Marvel Studios leaders decided it was best to retrace their steps to where it all started. Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark for over a decade and led the MCU, is now cast as a counterpart from another universe, this time as Doctor Doom, the new main antagonist of the MCU. The title of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was changed to Avengers: Doomsday, and Feige successfully persuaded the Russo brothers to return, who previously directed cultural sensations like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In a recent interview with Omelete, the Russos stated that Doomsday represents “a fresh start.” This could seem slightly confusing as it’s the conclusion to what has been the MCU’s most extensive phase in terms of the number of projects.

Is This A New Beginning? Or Just A Very Slow March To A Drawn Out MCU Epilogue?

During Phases 4 and 5, there’s a sense of muddled atmosphere all around. The Multiverse Saga was ignited with hit series like Loki, but it left many trilogies and narratives from Phase 3 incomplete, waiting for their final chapters. The Guardians of the Galaxy were yet to conclude their story in Vol. 3, and Spider-Man still had one more adventure ahead in No Way Home.

In simpler terms, “No Way Home” brought together several key themes from Marvel’s Phase 4, such as the introduction of a larger Marvel multiverse, wrapping up Tom Holland’s initial Spider-Man storyline, concluding Tony Stark’s funding for the character, setting the stage for Doctor Strange’s adventures in “The Multiverse of Madness,” and potentially offering a fresh start for Holland’s portrayal. However, it seemed to struggle with its identity, juggling multiple elements and possibly being unsure of its ultimate direction. Some potential issues were camouflaged by a strong dose of nostalgia, as familiar faces like Andrew Garfield reprised their roles as the web-slinging hero. Warning signs of these challenges had already been present in earlier stages of production.

Among the Marvel projects that emerged during their creative rejuvenation phase, many were either finales or continuations of stories for characters already established in the MCU. While origin movies following Endgame like “Eternals” flopped significantly, sequels such as “Deadpool” and “Wolverine” thrived, not only wrapping up Deadpool’s trilogy but also paying tribute to the entire superhero legacy from 20th Century Fox.

Can Marvel Studios And The Russo Bros. Stick The Landing?

How does “Avengers: Doomsday” aim to put an end to this mixed phase of Marvel projects and provide closure? It appears that the Russo brothers are keen on erasing the slate cleanly and moving forward with a fresh start, almost treating Phase 4-5 as a transitional period for Marvel’s upcoming grand narrative. During their interview, the Russo brothers revealed that they initially declined to return to directing until writer Stephen McFeely proposed a series of ideas for future “Avengers” films following “Doomsday.” These ideas formed the blueprint that the duo is now following. Joe Russo expressed his relief and enthusiasm about McFeely’s input.

“We went, ‘That’s the story!’ That story has to be told; it’s a really powerful story!”

It’s true that a fresh perspective is what I believe the MCU could benefit from at this moment. Unfortunately, the latest teaser for Doomsday seemed more desperate than confident to me. Instead of creating an exhilarating spectacle, the trailer showcased a collection of Marvel characters returning from both the MCU and Fox’s X-Men catalog, which felt more like a compilation of Marvel’s most popular hits rather than something innovative or exciting. It’s as if we are witnessing a once vibrant rock star struggling towards the end of their career.

The frequent reappearance of Fox X-Men characters might indicate that the Russo brothers are preparing for a more mutant-centric approach in the future. Following the conclusion of the old X-Men franchise with Deadpool and Wolverine, and given Beast’s appearance at the end of The Marvels, it appears to be the opportune moment to steer the MCU towards its unique interpretation of Professor Xavier’s pupils. Given the recent string of flops in the MCU, establishing a strong, daring, and consistent creative direction moving forward is one of Avengers: Doomsday’s top priorities. If this isn’t done, the MCU may continue on a prolonged, melancholic denouement that struggles to regain momentum as audiences shift their interest towards new cinematic trends in the superhero genre.

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2025-04-05 20:06