Marvel Staff Reveals Truth Behind “Messed Up” MCU

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Brie Larson with Monica Rambeau and Ms. Marvel

Credit: Inside the Magic

Just how messed up did the MCU get?

Andrew Garfield (left), Tom Holland (middle), and Tobey Maguire (right)
Credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios

Related: Fans Call For Marvel Staff to Unionize In Light of Director’s Problematic Joke

For many years now, Kevin Feige has served as the President of Marvel Studios, where he has overseen the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), now under the ownership of The Walt Disney Company. The MCU has left an indelible mark on the superhero movie genre and the entire film industry, leaving a lasting impact despite varying opinions on the matter. The expansive narrative, known as the Infinity Saga, reached its height with the highly anticipated releases of Avengers: Infinity War in 2018 and Avengers: Endgame in 2019, marking the conclusion of Phase Three.

Through its ongoing expansion and numerous accomplishments, the franchise has solidified its position as a major force in the world of filmmaking.

Tony Stark and a Alcatel One Touch in Iron Man 3
Credit: Marvel Studios

Following the departure of the beloved character Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, who made a heroic sacrifice to defeat Thanos (played by Josh Brolin), and Chris Evans bidding farewell to his role as Steve Rogers/Captain America by passing on the Captain America legacy, it has become evident that there is an opportunity for prominent superhero teams like the Fantastic Four and X-Men to step into the spotlight.

Elizabeth Olsen as the Scarlet Witch, crying in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Credit: Marvel Studios

Related: Marvel Star Slams Studio, “It’s No Longer About Art, It’s About Shareholders”

Marvel Studios: A State of Trouble

In addition to the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which has persisted for several months with no clear resolution in sight, the film industry is grappling with the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike as well, which has resulted in a near-total shutdown of Hollywood. Adding to these challenges, Marvel Studios is currently facing a significant dilemma involving Jonathan Majors, the actor portraying Kang the Conqueror, upon whose shoulders the entire future of Phase Five (including Avengers 5/Avengers: The Kang Dynasty) rests. Majors is currently facing multiple allegations of sexual assault and domestic abuse.

Furthermore, the departure of James Gunn, the director and writer of the wildly successful Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise, has now taken on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios and its associated DC Universe, alongside Peter Safran — introducing new competition for Marvel Studios.

Nebula, Star-Lord, and Drax walk down the hallway
Credit: Marvel Studios

Regrettably, these ambitious plans to deliver the next cinematic experiences on par with Infinity War and Endgame, coupled with the increased pace of Marvel production during the “Bob Chapek era” at The Walt Disney Company, have placed a heavy workload on Marvel Studios employees, who are also facing challenges related to fair pay and worker’s rights.

But it seems like it wasn’t just these labor issues that have seemingly “messed up” the MCU.

What “Messed Up” Marvel Studios?

Recently, costume designer for Marvel Studios Graham Churchyard opened up about just how “shook up” the Marvel Cinematic Universe became after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hollywood insider @CanWeGetSomeToast shared the following video clip of Churchyard via Spider-Man News, and added some insight into just how badly the MCU was “messed up” as a result. Since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) was initially slated to debut before Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), the global pandemic definitely threw a wrench into the MCU works — shuffling the Feige-run cinematic universe around completely and meaning certain seemingly random and “fleeting” characters would have gotten more time to be developed:

Covid messed the MCU up so bad.

Had Multiverse of Madness come out before Spider-Man: No Way Home like originally planned, America Chavez would’ve been the one to summon the other Peters since she would’ve been studying at Kamar Taj already.

It makes a lot more sense than setting up the “Ned has talent for Magic” plot thread that’ll never get picked up again.

This means that the MCU as envisioned pre-COVID definitely looked more cohesive — instead of having seemingly one-off characters like America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) randomly thrown into films like Multiverse of Madness purely as a MacGuffin, better charted character arcs and connections would have helped Phase Four feel a lot more put together.

Naturally users like @NeoGodGoku were confused, wondering if Spider-Man actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield would have had a different role in Spider-Man: No Way Home:

NeoGodGoku: Does this mean Tobey & Andrew would’ve had bigger roles in No Way Home?

CanWeGetToast: Their roles were pretty significant in to begin with.

America Chavez would’ve introduced them on screen with her powers instead of Ned is all.

At the end of the day, these “maybes” will remain “what ifs”. The MCU post-COVID definitely has a lot to make up for, as “superhero fatigue” and frequent commiserations of a Marvel Cinematic Universe in decline post-Iron Man plague the Disney-owned franchise.

Do you think Marvel Studios can bounce back after COVID? Or is the MCU “over” as we know it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Marvel Comics and Marvel characters have certainly come a long way. Following the separation of Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) from the original six Avengers team, which also included Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) and the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), a lot has transpired in Marvel Entertainment. One of Marvel Studios’ recent theatrical releases is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, directed by James Gunn and featuring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, taking his space-roving companions on a final adventure across the galaxy. Upcoming Marvel movies include The Marvels (2023), set to debut on November 10, 2023, and Captain America: Brave New World (formerly known as New World Order). On Disney+ (Disney Plus), Secret Invasion (2023) follows Samuel L. Jackson as Director Nick Fury and delves into his spacetime and Krull-centric escapades. Additionally, the upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart will star Marvel Studios newcomer Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams.

Currently available for viewing are Moon Knight (2022), She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), as well as Netflix Marvel television favorites like Daredevil (2016) and Marvel’s Jessica Jones (2015). For those looking for shorter content, Marvel Studios offers Special Presentation short films, including Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) and Werewolf by Night (2022).

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