Ever since 2008, people have been waiting for the culmination of some of their favorite characters’ story arcs, known as “Avengers: Endgame.” The visual spectacles that have filled the MCU’s phases have been an honor to witness. The combination of A-List stars, creative twists and beautiful CGI have all contributed to the massive fanbase that has accumulated worldwide. The inevitable end to an era will be difficult for the universe to rebuild afterward.
No matter what, we will lose significant heroes that have become cultural icons. After “Endgame,” there is no clear direction for Marvel President Kevin Feige to take. “Spider Man: Far From Home” is going to be the first movie following the events of “Endgame.” This implies that the ending of “Infinity War” will not stick and Thanos’ snap will not have any resonance. The MCU has grown so fast, and eventually, the central focus narrative of the original Avenger films will be difficult to maintain.
This predicament is not necessarily a negative because this will allow new characters to begin their own evolutions. The lesser-known beings of Marvel might emerge after we lose a mainstay in the franchise. Finding out if these characters will become beloved is a huge risk for the universe if done the wrong way.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”) will probably become a big part of phase four, which would be a cool way to showcase the difference in leadership between his predecessors. Black Panther, aka T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), also must be highlighted as a key figure for diversity and representing the inner strength of an individual. The fresh restart that Marvel could work with might lead to a stripped-down approach for filmmakers.
The MCU has been heavily criticized for not taking advantage of the unique visual styles from accomplished directors. Even though the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films have their corny moments, they still include the exclusive signatures that Raimi employs. The best way for Marvel to get back to their roots is allowing the crew to be more experimental toward the source material.
A controversial subject among Marvel fans is the Fantastic Four and X-Men’s role in the world. For years, Fox owned the rights to these legendary works. A recent business deal merged Disney and Fox, allowing for their inclusion in the MCU. Taking full advantage of this transaction would be a perfect way to establish a baseline toward setting a new massive conflict in years to come.
At the end of the day, Marvel films still are a feast for the eyes. Fanboys will always be divided over certain things, and the division over these aspects will leave a certain level of displeasure. It seems that, whichever way the MCU goes long term, it will be done in a manageable way. The amount of intelligent brains mixed with a substantial amount of money guarantees success. The chemistry the stars possess on and off screen gives off an extreme sense of unity. As George Harrison sang, “All things must pass.” Unfortunately, the original Avengers will somehow disassemble, but audiences will be treated to a whole new era to eventually look upon many years from now.
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