There’s an uncomfortable vibe in the air. Captain Marvel 2, or The Marvels, is all set for release soon. There are single-digit days remaining before the sequel to the one billion-dollar-grossing film hits theatres. Yet there’s surprisingly low interest in the movie on social media.
Why? Many say it’s because people aren’t interested in watching Brie Larson or her Captain Marvel. But others state something more tangible- one must watch at least two Disney+ shows to understand it. Ms. Marvel and WandaVision are almost compulsory viewing for The Marvels.
But very few are interested in doing the MCU homework anymore. There’s disdain, or worse, disinterest towards Marvel on social media. It has apparently rattled the Marvel and Disney higher-ups so severely that they are talking about bringing the dead back.
Variety reports that Marvel Studios has considered bringing Robert Downey Jr. back as Iron Man and other original Avengers like Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow for an Avengers movie. But this plan hasn’t been finalized yet because getting Downey Jr. back isn’t going cheap, as he was paid $25 million upfront for 2013’s Iron Man 3. So this time, it will be way higher.
The Main Problems Plaguing The MCU
A recent bombshell Variety report gave an insight into what’s happening at Marvel Studios. The executives and bosses have noted the public complaints over the poor VFX and sub-par writing quality of Disney+ shows like She-Hulk and even films like Thor: Love and Thunder, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, etc.
That’s not all. The general audience seems tired of the Disney+ Marvel shows that are getting trotted out like on a conveyor belt. Some, like Loki and WandaVision, get appreciated, but others, like Werewolf by Night, get ignored.
What should have been a new phase of the MCU after Endgame closed the chapter on the Infinity Stones saga hasn’t lived up to its potential. It’s clear that the writing and VFX staff are stretched thin and forced to meet deadlines.
As a result, the projects look incomplete and are incoherent to watch. It looks like in a few years, Marvel squandered the goodwill of audiences that it worked for more than a decade to earn.
Also, Jonathan Majors, who wowed audiences as Kang at the end of Loki season 1, is embroiled in a high-profile domestic violence case. What makes matters worse is that Marvel was planning on building this phase around his character, and now they are in turmoil.
But it looks like there’s a backup plan.
Is Marvel Studios Bringing Back The Original Avengers?
Apparently, there are talks of bringing back the original Avengers for an Avengers film. This will include Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow and Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark- the two characters who met their demise in Endgame.
Comic readers will know that dead characters coming back to life is just the bread and butter of companies like Marvel and DC. In fact, there were already rumors that Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) would reprise his role in Avengers: Secret Wars.
But making it happen isn’t easy. Variety states that the top brass hasn’t committed to the idea. But more than that, getting Downey Jr. back isn’t cheap. After all, the actor took home an upfront salary of about $25 million for Iron Man 3 (2013).
Now, more than a decade and post-Endgame later, that amount will be higher if he does return. But is RDJ the only solution? Not likely. After all, MCU’s flame hasn’t been extinguished just yet. There’s high interest in Deadpool 3, which will see Ryan Reynolds’ titular character and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine team up for a rumored multiversal romp.
Moreover, X-Men and the Fantastic Four are yet to come. However, the path isn’t going to be easy moving forward. Kevin Feige and co. are dealing with many moving pieces at this time, and it’s clear that they are pondering backup plans for the worst-case scenarios.
It will be interesting to see how or if the MCU course corrects.
What are your thoughts on the original Avengers coming back? Would you love to see Robert Downey Jr. again as Iron Man?
Moreover, what would you do if you were in the situation Kevin Feige is now? How would you steer the MCU forward?
Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Variety
