Avengers: Secret Wars Needs To Avoid Marvel’s Current Weakness

by

Avengers: Secret Wars Needs To Avoid Marvel's Current Weakness

Key Takeaways

  • Marvel’s Phase Five prioritizes fanservice at the cost of storytelling, risking decline in quality.
  • Avengers: Secret Wars should avoid overusing fanservice for a more impactful and engaging storyline.
  • End credit teasers featuring big names as characters need to be developed further to avoid unresolved plotlines.

As a lifelong Marvel fan who has witnessed the rise and fall of the MCU, I can’t help but feel concerned about the current state of affairs. While I appreciate the efforts to please fans, I fear that the obsession with fanservice is overshadowing the storytelling, leading to a decline in quality.

After wrapping up the Infinity Saga, Marvel Studios has faced challenges with their subsequent productions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With a ten-year history, they’ve encountered several box office setbacks and a noticeable drop in quality due to an increased focus on quantity rather than storytelling. The upcoming films featuring Deadpool and Wolverine seem like a positive change, but there are still many aspects for Marvel Studios to reevaluate before their next two Avengers movies

Joe and Anthony Russo are slated to oversee “The Avengers: Doomsday” and “The Avengers: Secret Wars” for Marvel Studios, with Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Doctor Doom in the former. While some have labeled Downey Jr.’s comeback as fan-pleasing, it’s evident that Marvel Studios doesn’t entirely escape its obligation to cater to fans. However, for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to regain its enchantment, it’s crucial that upcoming “Avengers” films, particularly “The Avengers: Secret Wars,” avoid centering on fanservice and witty callbacks in favor of a more cohesive narrative

Marvel’s Reliance on Fan Service is Concerning

Avengers: Secret Wars Needs To Avoid Marvel's Current Weakness

Marvel Studios’ Phase Five has stirred up some concerns, as it appears they’re shooting ideas in various directions, hoping something sticks. Despite its present challenges, the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to stand as one of the most remarkable franchises in Hollywood history. Yet, it’s challenging not to acknowledge that Marvel Studios is unwittingly sabotaging itself. In recent productions, the studio has attempted to appease fans by incorporating not only action scenes but also cameos and humorous elements designed to delight and amaze. However, this approach often comes at the expense of story development. Occasionally, it yields success, such as in Spider-Man: No Way Home. In other instances, though, it falls short. For instance, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which was expected to feature numerous cameos, seemed to prioritize fan service not only through confirmed appearances but also action sequences. The film was marketed as Marvel Studios’ scariest movie ever, frequently referred to as a horror flick; while it did contain some frightening moments, the overall film suffered due to its attempts to meet fans’ expectations

To ensure a successful continuation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios must acknowledge their current shortcomings prior to the upcoming Avengers films. The decision to cast Downey Jr. as Doom has sparked debate among fans, making the film’s success heavily reliant on its execution. As anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars builds, Marvel Studios must consider fan expectations carefully. While Secret Wars holds immense potential for blockbuster success similar to the Infinity Saga, the project’s success will ultimately hinge on how well it is managed. With a reported cast of more than sixty characters, Marvel Studios should prioritize the narrative and avoid contrived ‘surprise’ moments simply to excite fans

Avengers: Secret Wars Doesn’t Need Fanservice

While there’s no denying that fanservice moments and fun jokes are far from bad, there’s a time and a place for them. Sadly, while fans have undoubtedly enjoyed the fanservice moments from Marvel as of late, there’s no denying they have been overdone. In the case of Deadpool & Wolverine, these types of moments are to be expected, especially with the Merc with the Mouth breaking the fourth wall and always teetering on the edge of ‘too much.’ That works for that particular character, but that can’t be said for every other character or project within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One perfect example is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, where fans were finally introduced to Adam Warlock. The character, who is depicted as incredibly powerful in the comics, was written in a childish way in the film. This, of course, stems from the character having only been born in the film; yet, the need to turn him into a joke until the end seemed unnecessary. Then there’s the case of the Phase 5 end credit teases that have introduced multiple characters, played by some rather big names, only to have become nothing more – at least, not yet.

In a recent development, Charlize Theron, Harry Styles, and Kelsey Grammer have been added to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Grammer reprising his role as Beast in The Marvels. While these stars are playing significant roles, their appearances so far have been limited to end credit scenes, with no details about their future within the MCU. Given that Secret Wars is expected to feature a large ensemble cast, it’s crucial for Marvel Studios to avoid excessive fanservice moments and jokes. Instead, they should draw inspiration from The Avengers: Infinity War and The Avengers: Endgame, which successfully managed a vast cast while using each appearance to advance the storyline. Of course, there were some fanservice moments and humor sprinkled in, but the narrative remained the focus. This is the approach Marvel Studios should aim for with Doomsday and Secret Wars

On May 1st, 2026, you’ll find “The Avengers: Doomsday” playing in cinemas, and exactly two years later, on May 7th, 2027, it will be “The Avengers: Secret Wars”. Enjoy your movie-watching experience!

Read More

2024-09-05 02:04