Marvel Is Borrowing From Doctor Who, and That Should Be Concerning

Marvel Is Borrowing From Doctor Who, and That Should Be Concerning

As a long-time fan of both Marvel and Doctor Who, I can’t help but feel a tad disheartened by the recent developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Having grown up with these iconic franchises, I’ve seen them evolve, innovate, and push boundaries. However, it seems that the MCU is currently stuck in a rut, clinging to familiar faces and stories rather than taking risks and venturing into uncharted territory.


As a passionate fan, I can’t help but notice the frequent criticism leveled at Disney regarding their management of intellectual properties. Year after year, they seem to expand their influence over the entertainment industry, with Marvel being just one of many treasured gems in their collection. Though they don’t legally own “Doctor Who,” they have secured streaming rights for its modern era, which feels oddly fitting given the show’s recent direction and Disney’s seemingly aligned strategies. This uncanny resemblance stirs both concerns and excitement about future Marvel projects, as I can’t help but wonder if Disney might bring the same magic to “Doctor Who.”

The challenge of expanding into a billion-dollar media behemoth is that no level of achievement feels sufficient, and even minor dips in ticket sales can appear catastrophic. For instance, some Marvel films have fallen short of recouping their production costs. Nevertheless, these losses are likely quickly offset by Marvel’s consistent triumphs. Yet, merely turning a profit isn’t enough to make the MCU a success story. They must surpass their previous year’s earnings and aim for further improvement in the upcoming years. This dynamic mirrors contemporary society and keeps the creators at Marvel in a state of constant pressure.

Marvel is repeating Doctor Who‘s recent strategy

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for the iconic British sci-fi series, “Doctor Who.” Though its original broadcast ended in 1989 after 26 seasons, its influence remains undiminished. Universal made an attempt to revive it with a TV movie in 1996, but it didn’t quite take off at the time. The project seemed to stall throughout the late ’90s, until the BBC decided to breathe new life into this timeless series.

David Tennant is generally considered the most memorable actor to embody the character of the Doctor, a role he first played on Christmas Day in 2005 as the Tenth Doctor during the series’ modern era. Spanning across three full seasons and multiple subsequent appearances, his portrayal has garnered significant support among fans of “Doctor Who.” In heated debates about favorite actors, Tennant often emerges victorious due to a substantial voting base. Working closely with showrunner Russell T. Davies, Tennant’s tenure saw the creation of some of the series’ finest episodes. As the quality of the show dipped slightly, Tennant and Davies became synonymous with the beloved franchise for many fans. To celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary, they returned with Davies as showrunner and Tennant reprising his role as the Fourteenth Doctor, a move that was seen by many as an apology for the rough seasons and helped to mend any lingering fan feelings. Following a three-part special, Ncuti Gatwa stepped in as the Fifteenth Doctor full-time, a brief return that won over skeptical fans, while the swift transition to new leadership ensured the show’s continued success.

Marvel has very different problems

Marvel Is Borrowing From Doctor Who, and That Should Be Concerning

As a passionate Marvel fan, I believe they’re employing a strategy reminiscent of “Doctor Who” to rekindle audience support. Following some less-than-stellar performances, like last year’s “The Marvels,” Marvel has returned to their trusted resources. They’ve welcomed Robert Downey Jr. back with a fresh character, Doctor Doom, and lured the Russo brothers to direct future “Avengers” films. Similar to how “Doctor Who” appealed to its fanbase after some rough patches, Marvel is leveraging iconic talent from both in front of and behind the camera as a plea for forgiveness. However, unlike “Doctor Who,” which rarely faced criticism for running out of ideas or overly referencing past successes, Marvel has been accused of creative stagnation. This move might mend fences, but it doesn’t address the common concern that Marvel is repeating itself creatively.

Marvel is falling into one of its major pitfalls post-“Endgame”. Instead of taking risks by investing in fresh ideas and venturing beyond their comfort zone, they’ve been clinging tightly to familiar ground. A decrease in superhero overload could be more effectively achieved if the creators were allowed to explore new directions. While callbacks and crossovers might garner cheers at crowded premieres, they don’t foster the creation of enduring or classic art. Marvel has seldom given their new heroes an opportunity to make a significant impact without linking them closely with established characters. This makes the decision to bring back RDJ and the Russos seem rather questionable. It reinforces the concerns of the most discerning viewers while catering to fans who are showing signs of disengagement. Moreover, there’s no compelling reason for this repetitive strategy.

Marvel picked a weird time to get desperate

Marvel Is Borrowing From Doctor Who, and That Should Be Concerning

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I’ve got to admit that there have been a few rocky productions within the franchise. However, it’s important not to overlook the successes like “Black Widow,” leading to “Shang-Chi,” followed by “Eternals” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The upcoming “The Marvels” is on the heels of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and will be preceded by “Deadpool & Wolverine.” At this year’s SDCC, they unveiled their exciting new project: the “Fantastic Four” movie, which could be a fresh start for the franchise, debuting alongside “Doomsday.” The future is looking promising with films like “Blade,” “Thunderbolts,” and many more intriguing projects in the pipeline. Yet, just when we’re anticipating some groundbreaking new ideas, they seem to pull back. This hesitation isn’t a good sign.

As a devoted Marvel fan, it’s disheartening to see that despite exciting upcoming projects, the studio seems to be sending a mixed signal. Just like how Doctor Who reassured fans about the show’s future, Marvel is making it seem as if fresh concepts will continually take a backseat to familiar elements. However, Doctor Who has shown us a way out of this predicament. All Marvel needs to do is transition from revisiting their original successes to exploring new territories more swiftly, ensuring that the future of Marvel stories remains vibrant and innovative.

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2024-08-03 23:03