How Marvel can stop audiences succumbing to superhero fatigue
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has birthed 20 interlinked films, to both financial and critical acclaim. But if even Star Wars can flop, Marvel could certainly begin to lose steam. Here's a few cards it can play to stop that happening
Bad luck superhero haters: there’s another of Marvel’s costumed crusaders at your local multiplex in the form of Venom. The hype machine is also moving into high gear for Captain Marvel, even though that’s not scheduled to drop until March. There have been contradictory reports about whether Venom, starring Tom Hardy, is going to be part of the official Marvel Cinematic Universe (MFCU) or not.
Sony holds the rights to Spider-Man and several linked characters, but struck a complicated deal with Marvel Studios, and ultimate owner Disney, to bring the web slinger into the MCU, which resulted in the wildly successful Spider-Man: Homecoming at $880m (£685m) global gross. A sequel is due next year. But, depending on the box office, Venom could become part of a separate Sony Marvel universe. It would likely major on anti-heroes, which might be a lot of fun. Much depends on the film’s gross.
The proper MCU, of which Captain Marvel is very definitely a part, is at a crossroads. Many of its biggest names bit the dust in Avengers: Infinity War. Even if (as expected) the survivors put things right in the forthcoming Avengers 4, big changes are promised as the studio draws the curtain on its Phase Three. Two of the studio’s mainstays are set to depart for a start, with Chris Evans hanging up his Captain America shield and Robert Downey Jr his Iron Man suit. They may not be alone. New characters and actors will therefore be tasked with driving the juggernaut forward.
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