As a long-time Marvel fan, I must say that the recent developments in the MCU have left me both intrigued and somewhat saddened. Having grown up watching the Marvel movies dominate the big screen, it was an exciting prospect to see the stories continue on Disney+. Shows like WandaVision and Loki were initial successes, but as we moved forward, it seems that the magic of streaming Marvel began to wane.
In the mid-credit scene of “The Avengers” movie, Thanos, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, made his debut. This significant appearance marked the introduction of the franchise’s next major antagonist and kicked off seven years of cinematic storytelling. Moreover, this initial encounter underscored the pivotal role “The Avengers” played in the Marvel Studios universe. The first Marvel Studios crossover film wasn’t just a memorable event; it also hinted at the future direction of the saga.
Approximately ten years after their initial attempt, Marvel Studios revisited a similar concept. The main antagonist of the Multiverse Saga, Kang the Conqueror (played by Jonathan Majors), was initially introduced in the final episode of Loki‘s first season. In this appearance, he portrayed his variant He Who Remains, a complex character who was both whimsical and tormented. This version of Kang was set to become a future adversary for the Avengers, and it was hinted that he had numerous doppelgangers scattered throughout the multiverse. However, unlike Thanos who made his grand entrance in the same realm, Kang did not make his first appearance there.
Thanos turned around and grinned at movie theaters around the world.
Kang, meanwhile, made his first appearance on the streamer Disney+.
In the thrilling era of the 2010s, it was my obsession to see Marvel execute a successful crossover movie spectacle. As we entered the roaring 2020s, this legendary studio switched gears, focusing instead on generating engaging content for Disney’s streaming platform. In pursuit of this mission, some formidable foes from future Avengers films didn’t merely make brief appearances in Marvel Cinematic Universe shows. Instead, they made their grand entrance and debuted on this innovative medium.
As a longtime fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia as I reflect on the past few years. From 2021 to 2024, it seemed like there was an endless parade of new Marvel Studios movies and TV shows to keep up with. As someone who has followed the MCU since its inception, I have to admit that it was a thrilling time for me as a fan.
In contrast to Kevin Feige’s appearances at this convention in 2019 and 2022, Marvel Studios didn’t include TV shows alongside films during its Hall H presentation in 2024. Instead, the spotlight was on three upcoming movies for 2025 before wrapping up with the unveiling of Avengers: Doomsday‘s title, directors, and Robert Downey Jr.’s role as Doctor Doom. Notably absent were projects such as Agatha All Along, Ironheart, Wonder Man, Daredevil: Born Again, and the various animated shows. This omission occurred just a few months after Marvel started making a conscious effort to distinguish between their movie and TV show productions.
Earlier, shows such as , , and others prominently displayed the Marvel Studios logo. This made it clear to viewers that they should consider subscribing to Disney+ to catch movies everyone’s talking about. However, Marvel later introduced the Marvel Spotlight label for mainly standalone, grounded productions like Echo. Animated series like X-Men ’97 moved under the Marvel Animation brand. This fall, Agatha All Along will be the first live-action Disney+/MCU production to bear the Marvel Television label. At a 2024 SDCC panel, a division was emphasized between small-screen and big-screen productions by Marvel Studios.
As a long-time Marvel fan who has been following the Cinematic Universe since its inception, I must say that the recent trend of intertwining the stories between movies and Disney+ shows is nothing short of remarkable. Having grown up watching the evolution of these characters on screen, it’s fascinating to see how the narrative threads are now being skillfully woven together to create a more cohesive and immersive experience for fans like me.
After launching into streaming content, Marvel Studios has encountered some harsh truths. Shows such as “WandaVision” and “Loki” were both audience hits and cultural phenomena upon release. However, the excitement of watching Marvel Studios stories on streaming began to wane among viewers once they attempted to introduce new characters like Moon Knight and Ms. Marvel, who weren’t immediately recognizable from movies. As a result, viewership dwindled. Additionally, mixed reviews for these shows didn’t help their cause. By 2023, only two years into its streaming content journey, Marvel Studios faced challenges, as evidenced by “Loki’s” second season attracting significantly fewer viewers than the first and negative feedback for series like “Secret Invasion,” potentially harming the Marvel Studios brand.
As someone who has spent years working in the media industry, I can attest to the challenges that streaming platforms face in making a profit. The idea of launching services like Peacock and AMC+ seemed like a surefire success in 2018, but in practice, it’s proven to be a difficult proposition.
In terms of the world of superheroes, it seems that fans have not shown much enthusiasm when stories from Marvel TV are translated to the big screen. The foundation of streaming series failed to boost the disappointing box office earnings of “The Marvels.” There’s little anticipation for Emilia Clarke in “Secret Invasion” to appear in the upcoming “Avengers” movies. During my screening of “The Marvels,” the introduction of Kate Bishop from “Hawkeye” and Pizza Dog in the final scene drew more silence than excited chatter. While there have been exceptional episodes in shows like “WandaVision,” “Ms. Marvel,” and “Loki,” most live-action MCU productions on Disney+ have fallen short of their full potential.
One way to rephrase the given text in a more natural and easy-to-read manner could be: “One significant challenge with these shows stemmed from Marvel Studios’ lack of experience in television production. Their initial idea was to make these series feel like extended movies, which is evident in elements such as not having showrunners or structuring the plots like season-long films. Unfortunately, this approach proved disastrous, leading to issues like slow pacing and missing out on unique television advantages in shows like The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. However, it’s worth noting that Marvel Studios’ only TV show universally praised is X-Men ’97. This production deliberately crafted its narrative style to resemble a soap opera.”
Following numerous setbacks, Marvel Studios continues to invest in television. Upcoming series will be managed by showrunners, with Kevin Feige hinting at a new Marvel Studios Special Presentation (such as “Werewolf by Night”) currently under development. However, upcoming projects like “Wonder Man” are expected to operate independently from the larger Marvel films. The era of MCU movie post-credit scenes subtly hinting at future plot points or even featuring scenes from streaming shows may be coming to an end. Shows such as “Black Widow” and “Quantumania” were exceptions, incorporating post-credit segments that did this. It’s unlikely we’ll see a return of this practice in the future.
To clarify, if you believe that storylines or characters from films like “Avengers: Doomsday” or “Secret Wars” will be introduced in streaming series, then you may need to reconsider. The fact that Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Doctor Doom confirms that the villains of the Avengers are now major cinematic events. It’s highly likely that his Doctor Doom character will show up in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” next year, marking a significant entry into the MCU for this iconic bad guy, unlike Kang who first appeared on the streaming series “Loki”.
The initial scheme for Marvel’s Multiverse Saga, which was set to conclude with “Avengers: The Kang Dystopia” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” has undergone significant changes. This shift in direction not only hints at Marvel Studios adjusting their path after a challenging 2023, but it also mirrors the broader film industry grappling with determining the shape of future popular culture. There’s a trend of slowing down the rush to invest completely in streaming platforms. Simultaneously, the remaining movie studios are holding onto cultural artifacts to draw audiences back into cinemas. In the next two years, familiar faces like Shrek, Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso, and Robert Downey Jr.’s Marvel characters will dominate the big screen.
Hollywood’s growing passion for franchises and intellectual properties is increasingly intense, with studios frantically attempting to revive a movie theater industry that they partially crippled by shifting content to streaming platforms. Amidst the pandemonium, it seems the era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on television has faded into silence. No longer at the top of their list, Kang and streaming series no longer hold the prime position for Marvel Studios.
As a devoted fan, I eagerly anticipated Loki’s introduction as the next grand multi-movie villain, signaling Marvel Studios’ intention to rule the streaming entertainment realm, much like Thanos did for theaters in the 2010s. With Kang potentially taking over as the king of small-screen stories, I was excited about the new era of streaming content. However, three years later, his guest appearance seems more like an unusual detour on unfinished roads. Unfortunately, it appears that Marvel’s initial plans for television are now nothing but a distant memory, much like many other media giants’ ambitions in this age of streaming.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-03 17:15