Fortniteis riding high as ever, and it’s using its position at the top of the live-service food chain to lend Marvel a hand. The new Absolute Doom season ofFortniteis a big part of the push for the upcomingAvengers: Doomsday, but whether it should take on an even larger role is a controversial question.
After actor Johnathan Majors was removed from the MCU following allegations of domestic violence (for which he received a guilty verdict in April), Marvel has pivoted away from Kang entirely. Rather than recasting Kang, the studio is placing its eggs in the basket of a new Thanos-level threat: the infamous Doctor Doom. A huge push has been made towards this shift in direction, with the announcement thatRobert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doomat the center. This is in addition to the news that the Russo brothers will be returning to the MCU, directing 2026’sAvengers: Doomsday.
Fortnite May Be Overstepping Its Role In The MCU And Other Disney Projects
While it was claimed as far back in 2023 that Doom was already on the cards for the MCU, as the at-the-time trajectory with Kang was seeing poor box office returns for films such asAnt-Man: Quantumania, many see Marvel as scrambling to save an already-troubled MCU rather than pausing the series.Fortnite’s Absolute Doom seasonhas, therefore, been an incredibly important asset for Marvel and Disney; not only is it a continuation of Disney’s extremely successful partnership with the brand, but it’s getting new and old fans excited about Doctor Doom. However, the temptations ofFortnite’s ‘metaverse’ are a slippery slope that could do more harm than good.
Fortnite’s Marketing Strength Can’t Be Ignored
No live-service title comes close toFortnite’s level of brand crossover, housing an unparalleled density of IP integration.Disney knows its way around this, having already usedFortnitefor many a marketing push. The in-game Thanos event was among the first in the game’s history, and it definitely helped the Mad Titan become a cultural fixture. Moreover, many fans appreciate the use ofFortnite, especially in multiverse media. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reference toFortnitein the second season ofInvincible(one that implied protagonist Mark Grayson had visited the dimension) was well-received online, and that’s just an Easter egg.
The version of Victor Von Doom found in Epic’s battle royale shooter is one of the most vicious, having single-handedly slain cosmic threats like Thanos, The Silver Surfer, and even Galactus. He has also killed his version of The Fantastic Four, displaying their corpses as grisly trophies. An interaction between this Doom and MCU Doom would make for more than a comical moment, especially if MCU Doom conquers this variant. SinceMarvel isn’t giving up on the multiverse concept, this level of cross-pollination could be a win.
Marvel Is Already Oversaturated, And Fortnite Won’t Help
Disney has beenmaking big investments in Epic Games, and it shows. Despite deepening Disney fatigue among viewers, its franchises continue to dominate the landscape ofFortnite—but this will only dilute the brand more. The constant production of new media on Disney+ has already done most of this, butFortnitemight just make things much worse.
From lackluster movies to outrage over how its workers have been treated, Disney has been in troubled waters for much of the 2020s. ThoughFortnitehas often offered relief, its integration withmovies likeThe Rise of Skywalkerarguably cheapened the experience and forced fans to catch up with a game utterly disconnected from the franchise. That film warped Disney’sStar Warsin a way that still leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many, andFortniteholds a sliver of the blame.
Fortnite
WHERE TO PLAY
Create, play, and battle with friends for free in Fortnite. Be the last player standing in Battle Royale and Zero Build, experience a concert or live event, or discover over a million creator made games, including racing, parkour, zombie survival, and more. Each Fortnite island has an individual age rating so you may find the one that’s right for you and your friends.Explore large, destructible environments where no two games are ever the same. Team up with friends by sprinting, climbing and smashing your way to earn your Victory Royale, whether you choose to build up in Fortnite Battle Royale or go no-builds in Fortnite Zero Build.Discover even more ways to play across thousands of creator-made game genres: adventure, roleplay, survival and more. Or, band together with up to three friends to fend off hordes of monsters in Save the World.
