Summary
Marvel Studios’Marvel Cinematic Universewas once the biggest franchise in the world. Fans would run to the theaters for each new release, eager to see where the story was heading going forward. Unfortunately, though, theMarvel Cinematic Universestruggled massively during its Phase 5 rollout, with critics and fans calling out the franchise for its uneven storytelling and unclear path forward. This problem, however, can easily be solved going into the next year.
With Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige seeking to focus on quality over quantity, the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks to be in a much better place. As it stands, Marvel Studios has four big releases set to hit theaters next year, each with wildly different characters and stories. Given this, the Marvel Cinematic Universe could very well find a way to reinvent itself in 2025.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe Needs to Reinvent Itself
When the Marvel Cinematic Universe was first starting out, the films were very character-driven and each offered something unique. Whether it was the visuals or the tone, Marvel Studios spent the time truly developing each new project as a unique new entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, after thirty-something films, though, the studio seems to have forgotten what made its cinematic universe so special. Phase 4, which was meant to be the beginning to a new story followingAvengers: Endgame, has often felt uneven and visually uninspiring.Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which saw the titular heroes face Kang the Conqueror, was thefirst misfire in a series of steep declinesthat would follow. While some fans enjoyed the movie, most felt the graphics weren’t up to par, and the story itself simply wasn’t strong enough. Things seemed to only get worse withDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which received mixed reviews, andThe Eternals,which failed to kickstart a new franchiseof heroes. The franchise that once felt untouchable and suddenly found itself struggling to mirror its earlier success. Thankfully, Disney’s Bob Iger and Feige both agreed that the studio had simply sought to do too much in too little time. This resulted in the quality dipping significantly as Marvel Studios tried to produce as many titles as it possibly could following the drought COVID-19 had forced them into.
Thankfully, the next year looks to bring some much-needed fresh blood to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the release of films likeCaptain America: Brave New Worldand evenThunderbolts*. These are movies that look to be focused on the characters first and foremost, rather than trying to build up the universe’s next big bad,Doctor Doom. It’s Marvel going back to its roots with visually distinct entries that are set to focus on smaller-scale stories.
How the 2025 Lineup Will Help Marvel Studios
Captain America: Brave New World, which is a sequel of sorts toThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is set to be Marvel Studios' first release next year. The film is set to focus on Sam Wilson’s turn as Captain America, as he takes over the title from Steve Rogers. Despite the film being full of other comic book characters, includingRed Hulkand the Leader, the film looks to have a very grounded feel to it - much likeCaptain America: The Winter Soldier. Its focus is on Wilson, first and foremost, and even has the visuals we’ve come to know and expect from theCaptain Americafilms. Also debuting next year isMarvel Studios’Thunderbolts*, which is set to feature a group of antiheroes as they come together to do some good. Although an official trailer has yet to be released, the images revealed for the film have teased a grounded approach to those characters that have appeared in much bigger stories thus far. The biggest film set to hail from Marvel Studios next year isThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, a movie that has a very distinct feel to it. It’s not an origin story, at least, according to those involved. It’s a family film with a ’60s aesthetic that is focused on its four core members. The last movie Marvel has slated for release next year isBlade, a film that has yet to enter production andcould easily be droppedfrom the schedule. However, should the movie make it to theaters next year, it’ll mark the studio’s secondR-rated moviewith a much darker and adult-orientated feel to it.
Each film feels different and exciting. More importantly, though, despite focusing on some big names, each looks to be character-driven. That’s what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been missing for some time now. Character pieces that can stand on their own and showcase their own visual appeal. Not a single one of these projects will look like one another, and that’s a good thing. It’s a breath of fresh air for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Studios as a whole, one that fans should - and will - welcome with open arms.
Marvel Studios' next release,Captain America: Brave New World, is set to hit theaters on February 14th, 2025.
