I can’t think of a single movie franchise that has kept me as entertained, or as happy, as the MCU. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is something that has never happened before and I’m not sure if it’s possible to do something like it ever again. The way they have woven movies and storylines together, the balancing of so many different characters and the fact that they now get everyone to sit through the entire credits are some amazing feats.
As much as I’m a fan of movies, and quite a few franchises to boot, there will always be Star Wars Episode 1 that I want avoid. Indiana Jones is marred by The Crystal Skull. Star Trek has had its up and downs over the last four decades. And please, don’t get me started on Spider-Man 3 or X-Men: The Last Stand. But still as a whole I love all of these franchises, they showed me worlds as a kid that I wanted to be a part of, or they brought pieces of my childhood to life. I will always find comfort in them.
But the MCU is on an entirely different level. Are there certain movies that are better than others? Of course there are, but in my opinion, we’re just saying they are bad compared to other Marvel movies. Even Thor: The Dark World is so much better than so many other movies out there and certainly better than the movies listed above.
We’ve been through almost three phases of movies. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the Ironman helmet close or Cap pick up his shield and rush into battle. Or at the end of Phase 1 when the Avengers were all finally assembled as a team and the camera sweeps around them when they regrouped in the final battle and so many more iconic moments in so many of the other films. After 21 movies, in just over 10 years, here we are, at the Endgame.
What will Endgame bring? Will the dusted return? Will other characters not make it to the closing credits? I honestly have no idea, which is what makes this month so exciting. Marvel has promised this will be a game changer, and I hope it is. Even if some characters find a way back, I’m still envisioning other characters dying and/or sacrificing themselves to save others. It’s been a great 10 years and I’m looking forward to the new direction. I hear Captain Marvel will be the new linchpin of the franchise, replacing Tony and Cap going forward. Does that mean one or both of them will die? And if so, will Bucky take over the mantle of Captain America or maybe it will be Falcon that dons the Red, White and Blue? Both of those scenarios have happened in the comics, so either could happen. Will we ever see Riri Williams (a.k.a. Ironheart) or Wiccan, or Hulkling, I have no idea, but I really hope we meet them and many more.
But I think the largest game changer is Disney (owner of Marvel) buying Fox Entertainment. With this move they now retake control over X-Men and the Fantastic Four properties. Will Reed Richards and Sue Storm meet up with Bruce Banner? Will Thor dine with Wolverine and Jubilee? The possibilities are almost endless, and I for one will be in line for each new film to see where they go. This may be the Endgame, but I still see a very bright future for the MCU.