- Marvel Studios has produced some of Hollywood's biggest hits
- They are now struggling to get back viewers
- Executives are looking to find solutions after many flops
In a twist no one saw coming, Marvel Studios' latest offering, 'The Marvels', took a nosedive at the box office, leaving fans and critics alike in shock! The weekend of November 10-12 saw the superhero powerhouse grappling with MCU expectations. With over 30 billion in global ticket sales under its belt, this was a jaw-dropping moment for the studio that has reigned supreme since 'Iron Man's' explosive entrance in 2008.
Marvel needs to reconsider things
Audiences weren't shy about their disappointment, dishing out brutal exit scores and a lukewarm B 'CinemaScore'. But whispers of trouble had been circulating for a while, with previous features like 'Eternals' and 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania' also receiving the same B rating.
Fans began to voice their struggles with keeping up with the ever-growing number of Disney+ shows necessary to follow the overarching MCU narrative. Behind the glitz and glamour, Marvel Studios and Disney knew they had a problem on their hands. Sources spilled the tea to 'The Hollywood Reporter', revealing that Kevin Feige's team was feeling the pressure of producing quantity over quality to satisfy the Disney+ content beast.
Even Disney CEO Bob Iger, on an earnings call, admitted that Disney's movie empire had "lost focus" in the rush to feed the streaming service. In a dramatic turn of events, Marvel and Disney announced a scale-back in their superhero film releases for 2024, cutting down from three to just one.
'Deadpool 3', will now be the sole caped crusader flick for the year, premiering on July 26 instead of May 3. This R-rated romp is set to be a multi-verse extravaganza, paving the way for future "Avengers" movies. Other shake-ups include delays for 'Captain America: New World Order' and 'Thunderbolts', while 'Blade', has also been pushed back.
It seems Marvel is taking a breather to reassess and ensure their future projects pack the punch audiences expect.
Taking a step back...
'The Marvels' strayed from the solo 'Captain Marvel' sequel fans anticipated. Critics and industry insiders are questioning the strategy, with one producer pointing out the dilution of Marvel's product by offering similar content to what's already on Disney+.
While 'Captain Marvel' soared to a $153.4 million debut, 'The Marvels' stumble is a stark contrast, sparking conversations about the future of superhero films. With DC previously known for its box office volatility, Marvel's latest hiccup may just be the wake-up call the industry needs.
But why is this happening? Many blame the overly-political messaging of certain stories.
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For years now, Marvel has had a focus on progressive ideology and empowering minorities in their films. However, many fans see this as a pandering strategy and not a legitimate way forward.
'She-Hulk' was a major flop for audiences, partly due to the main character's ultra-feminist views and misandry. On top of that, the MCU has become so popular that producers have seemed more preoccupied with making feel-good movies that appease everyone, instead of hard-hitting hero flicks.
It's not all too clear if there is a clear path back to the top for executives. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Marvel Studios has some soul-searching to do. Can they reclaim their box office throne, or is this the beginning of a new, less invincible era for our beloved superheroes? Only time will tell, true believers!
