Anghus Houvouras wonders how many Phases Marvel can reach before it has to hit the reset button with a reboot of the Cinematic Universe…
Guardians of the Galaxy is a huge hit. Everything with Marvel above the title is a money maker and a fan-favorite. As they prepare to launch a sequel to The Avengers in 2015 and kick start Phase Three, I’m beginning to wonder how many cycles Marvel has before the ever expanding cadre of comic chararacters requires a reboot.
For me, the answer is hopefully ‘never’. I rather like the idea of continuing on with these movies, changing out protagonists with other characters and allowing this cinematic universe to evolve. While the idea of Sam Wilson or Bucky in Captain America 4 or making Thor a woman in may seem exciting to fans of the comics, I have to think it makes Disney and their stockholders a little nervous.
Phase Three may be the stress test for the perpetual engine that is the Marvel Moviemaking Model. We already know to expect a second installment of Guardians and Doctor Strange is on the (operating) table. The most perilous Marvel production to date, Ant-Man is in production amid a game of musical chairs that has seen writers, directors, and cast opting in and out. A third Captain America, a third Thor, and perhaps a solo Hulk movie followed by a third Avengers which will could potentially bring everyone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe together to to fight the Mad Titan, Thanos.
There’s part of me that wonders just where Marvel can go after that. I realize there are decades of stories and characters that they can adapt into films, but when Marvel begins to shed the familiar in favor of new actors or completely new franchises, what happens to the foundation of the Marvel franchise?
If Guardians of the Galaxy has taught us anything, it’s that new and even unknown Marvel characters have breakout potential. That Marvel Studios won’t have to rely on Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans to keep audiences anticipating the next release. It would be ridiculous to think that the success of Guardians of the Galaxy doesn’t directly correlate to the goodwill built up with years of fan pleasing features. Each subsequent Marvel movie’s success is owed to the strong foundation built with films like Iron Man and Captain America: The First Avenger. But we’re coming to a point where Marvel may have to make a choice on where to take their multi-billion dollar hit-making machine.
Once Phase Three wraps up and the original Avengers transition out of the rotation or are simply uninterested in future installments, Marvel will have to decide if they should be replaced or have their costume retired. A Marvel Cinematic Universe without Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor seems almost inconceivable, and yet I think we’re closer to that reality than most suspect. Robert Downey Jr. is already eyeing the exit. Chris Evans has made it clear he has a career path where he’s no longer donning the stars and stripes.
Even with an almost infinite well of characters and stories to mine, there’s something to be said for the familiarity of the original Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Will we see new actors in the roles in Phase Four, or will Marvel simply stock the pond with new heroes?
What do you think?
Anghus Houvouras is a North Carolina based writer and filmmaker. His latest work, the novel My Career Suicide Note, is available from Amazon. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published August 3, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
