The MCU wrote its own demise when they wrote Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson out of the universe. They were about the only compelling things about it when they were there and, now that they’re not, the product is suffering mightily. That’s why they’re going through this desperate, and sure to fail, attempt to recapture some of that by bringing Downey Jr. back in another role.
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Killing their characters, however, made sense and had an impact.
It’s just that they need to churn out more product, and the fact that this does not work explains that these characters were the most interesting ones they had.
Which is strange. I get that Iron Man was a kind of central character and later developed into an interesting conflicted figure standing out amongst a troupe like Avengers.
But the Black Widow I never remembered as anything but an extra in the comics. She must have really taken off later and the Marvel folks around Kevin Feige nailed the casting and gave her a part important for the chemistry of the whole MCU.
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I think to the extent those characters were popular with movie audiences, it was down to the actors. Iron Man’s book never rated much more than a “meh” throughout it’s history (with the possible exception of the Michelenie/Layton run in the late 70s) and if the Widow ever had her own title it wasnt for long.
That said, I dont know that I’d agree the loss of Johansen was a crippling blow, though it was kind of bone-headed to kill off the one female Avenger who worked well. Especially if they were still planning to spend millions on a solo film that would have to be set in her past.
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Iron Man was the film that built the MCU, so Feige wisely centered everything around Downey jr.
Coincidence and luck rather than planning since nobody thought Downey jr. would carry a movie at the box office.
And Johannsen/Black Widow was the only woman in that group with appeal - although her later (too late) stand-alone film tanked (in an admittedly botched pandemic release).
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I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time with a fictional character who didn’t grow from going through the same situations again and again. Tony Stark had two main recurring story lines: when in a solo movie, “Do I make the suit, or does the suit make me?” in a team up movie: “I don’t play well with others. But I guess I will work with you all for the greater good.” That’s it. Also, Black Widow really never changes her facial expressions. So, she really isn’t missed, other than “good looks.” So, I think as they got bigger it was only a matter of time before they left in one way or another.
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Yeah, I’m burnt out just reading that. Two live action films, two live action TV series, one animated film, two animated series per year?
- I’ll believe it when I see it (I say with no intention to actually see probably 80% of it)
- Good luck to them keeping up the interest.
I feel sorry for DC, it seems they’re about five years too late to the party and are planning all of this like we’re in “peak MCU” times. Do they think there’s that much interest from the public? Has there ever really been a demand for a Sgt. Rock film (I used to be a pretty keen DC fan, and I have to admit, before the Craig rumours, I had no idea who this was) or a Booster Gold series?
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I’m honestly most excited about Clayface as a movie. I also hope that WB and DC learned their lesson from Joker and 2. Have more comic book characters appear. As for Superman and Supergirl same thing, namely villains from their long time histories in comics. Apparently, that’s too much to ask of WB and DC.
Ironically, going back to the MCU, a lot of people it seems want Kevin Feige to resign from Marvel. I personally have mixed feelings about that.
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Morning:
Evening:
The day after:
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I agree with him.
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So do i, ALL THE MONEY OR YOU BOMB! model is blatantly a bad business model.
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MrWintKidd… Visconti fans everywhere…
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And it’s already happening. Guys who under the pretense of efficiency want to make a quick buck.
Of course, everybody will join in and compete.
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I look forward to your review.
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The Leopard being called “Dad”?
Lacking smelling salts in my office, I turned to YouTube:
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We´re so old-fashioned, Mr.KiddWint…
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