It is outdated information that the Marvel Cinematic Universe ain’t what it was. Even the widespread critiques are drained at this level: too many initiatives, an excessive amount of “homework,” an ungainly streaming/movie cut up, and many others. — you’ve got heard all of it earlier than. So, apparently, has Kevin Feige, who appears to haven’t any intention of shifting on from his publish as the top of Marvel Studios. In a latest in-depth interview with numerous members of the press, Feige mentioned the struggles the MCU has confronted over the past six years, in addition to plans for the long run.
The purpose for some time now has been decrease budgets, fewer initiatives, and better high quality. That technique led to one of many franchise’s largest crucial successes in years when “Thunderbolts” was launched in Could. Sadly, the field workplace did not sustain with the acclaim.
“‘Thunderbolts*’ I believed was a really, superb film,” Feige stated whereas talking with the press (per Selection). “However no one knew that title and lots of of these characters have been from a [TV] present.” Feige is probably going fairly on the cash right here. John Walker (Wyatt Russell) had solely beforehand appeared in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” as an illustration, and several other different characters — Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Crimson Guardian (David Harbour), and Taskmaster (Olya Kurylenko) — have been from “Black Widow,” one of many lesser-seen MCU motion pictures.
A common lack of religion within the MCU after a number of lackluster initiatives could have additionally performed a task, in fact. “Some [audiences] have been nonetheless feeling that notion of, ‘I assume I needed to have seen these different reveals to know who that is,'” Feige stated. “If you happen to truly noticed the film, that would not be the case, and we make the film in order that’s not the case. However I feel we nonetheless have to verify the viewers understands that.”
Marvel Studios is seeking to recenter issues going ahead
Thus far, 2025, hasn’t been the MCU course-correcting yr that Feige and different Disney execs possible hoped for. “Thunderbolts” acquired nice evaluations, however it did not even crack $400 million globally, and in response to Selection it wanted to gross round $425 million simply to interrupt even. The movie that got here out simply earlier than it, “Captain America: Courageous New World,” did not fare significantly better financially and acquired a notably worse crucial reception. There’s hope that “The Unbelievable 4: First Steps” may flip Marvel’s 2025 round, and early reactions have been very constructive, however we cannot know for positive till the movie releases later this week.
Maybe the strongest indicator there, other than the stellar ensemble forged, is that “Unbelievable 4” exists in its personal, separate universe with a singular aesthetic, steering away from the problems that Feige believes held “Thunderbolts” again. “We all the time have been planning, even earlier than that grew to become a speaking level, to introduce them in their very own world by which they’re the one heroes,” Feige stated at his latest media day (by way of Selection). “It’s a no-homework-required film. It actually isn’t linked to something we have made earlier than.”
Possibly this may be the brand new hit Marvel Studios has been ready for. It must compete with an extended tail on James Gunn’s “Superman” — a movie that opened to huge field workplace numbers, and which Feige gave excessive reward in the identical interview. The reply for Marvel cannot and will not be having each challenge really feel unbiased, like “Unbelievable 4,” however there appears to be a renewed dedication to accessible, distinctive initiatives going ahead.
