As a lifelong Marvel fan who grew up with the characters, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and anticipation as I look forward to the upcoming slate of MCU projects in 2025. Having followed the franchise since its humble beginnings, I’ve witnessed its rise to become the juggernaut it is today, and I must admit that there were times when even I doubted if they could keep up the momentum.
However, having seen the trailers for Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Daredevil: Born Again, I’m optimistic that Marvel has learned from their past mistakes and is ready to deliver some truly epic stories that will captivate audiences once again.
While I can’t help but feel a twinge of concern over the rumors surrounding Captain America’s follow-up and the less than stellar reputation of previous Fantastic Four films, I have faith in Marvel’s ability to course correct and deliver on their promise of quality entertainment. After all, they’ve done it time and time again.
That being said, if these upcoming projects don’t live up to expectations, I worry that the MCU might face a similar fate as the Fantastic Four – relegated to the annals of comic book history as a once great franchise that couldn’t quite maintain its momentum. But let’s hope that doesn’t happen and instead, Marvel can deliver another year of blockbuster hits that leave us on the edge of our seats.
And who knows, maybe we’ll even get a cameo from Nick Fury with a witty one-liner to lighten the mood if things start to go south. After all, laughter is the best medicine for a franchise in need of a pick-me-up!
By 2019, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was as robust as Captain America’s shield, but fast-forward to today, the largest movie franchise globally shows signs of having more than a handful of imperfections marring its invincible image.
It seems that a series of moderately received Marvel films, increasing disapproval towards the Multiverse Saga plot, and the ongoing legal problems faced by Jonathan Majors are collectively impacting ticket sales and overall audience enthusiasm.
2023 marked the peak point, as Disney’s top executive, Bob Iger, admitted to shareholders that the company had prioritized quantity over quality and pledged for a shift in this approach.
As promised, Marvel executives took a break from their franchise in 2024, releasing only four productions: Echo, Agatha, Deadpool, and Wolverine, along with What If. On paper, this strategy appeared successful, as all these projects received positive reviews from critics. The premiere of Deadpool on Disney even brought the studio a massive $1.3 billion.
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To put it simply, there was little question about the triumph of these projects because Agatha built upon the acclaimed success of one of Marvel’s finest shows, and Deadpool had the support of Hugh Jackman’s indestructible claws.
Echo didn’t become a major success, but its detachment from the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe allowed it some unique advantages. On the other hand, What If…? hasn’t managed to captivate many viewers beyond die-hard Marvel fans, largely flying under the radar.
2025 could potentially be as risky as accompanying Thanos on a jewelry store outing. This year alone, Marvel has planned for three new films to premiere, which gives fans plenty of reasons to feel anxious. The first of these, Captain America: A New World Order, is a sequel to the least popular Marvel series apart from Secret Invasion, and there are whispers that it underwent major changes due to unfavorable test screenings.
In contrast to what you’d typically find for a Marvel production, Thunderbolts isn’t as widely recognized due to its cast consisting largely of secondary supervillains such as Red Guardian, Yelena Belova, and Ghost. While some enthusiasts might be curious about their recent activities, I have my doubts about the general public showing significant interest in Ghost’s post-Ant-Man and Wasp adventures.
Not so Fantastic Four
After that, what’s particularly concerning is The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Unlike Captain America’s next film, which has had a rocky production, this one has name recognition with audiences. However, it’s likely that some at Marvel are uneasy because the Fantastic Four’s past may tarnish their image slightly. To date, there have been three serious attempts to create a good Fantastic Four movie, but none have managed to live up to the expectations set by the Richard family’s nickname.
Without a doubt, Josh Trank’s movie Fant4stic is often found on lists of the worst films ever produced. Fans of the Four might be ready to overlook and forget, but will that suffice for those unfamiliar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe versus the Fox universe? Time will reveal the answer.
Among the various TV series spread throughout the year, one that we’re particularly excited to follow is Daredevil: Born Again. This Netflix production, known for its graphic violence and brooding atmosphere, has garnered a massive fanbase, and if Marvel can’t maintain that somber tone, I have concerns that viewers might lose interest.
As an ardent fan, if this blend of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and series fails to resonate with us, it could be a sign that we need to brace for potential changes ahead. Now, I’m not jumping to conclusions that Disney will abandon Phase 6 altogether, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they reassess the budgets, trim some films from the lineup, and perhaps even see the dream of a genuine Secret Wars adaptation crumble under the weight of realistic anticipation.
As a lifelong Marvel fan, I must say that I’m genuinely excited about the upcoming films and shows. Having grown up watching the original Iron Man and Captain America movies, I have high hopes for Brave New World, which seems to share the gritty, grounded tone of The Winter Soldier. Similarly, Thunderbolts* has the potential to be another Guardians of the Galaxy-style adventure, with a fresh and unique twist that Marvel is known for.
Marvel clearly understands the importance of getting First Steps right, and they’ve assembled an incredibly talented creative team to make it happen. I have faith in their ability to deliver a compelling story that will keep us on the edge of our seats. All I can say is, let’s just hope Marvel can stick the superhero landing and continue to push the boundaries of what we thought was possible with these iconic characters. Bring on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!
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2025-01-01 19:27