At Comic-Con, Marvel hits the reset button with Robert Downey Jr., Fantastic Four
As a longtime Marvel fan and avid follower of the MCU, I was thoroughly excited by Marvel Studios’ return to San Diego Comic-Con this past weekend. The energy in Hall H was electric as we were treated to exclusive footage and surprises from upcoming projects.
It was a big weekend for Marvel Studios.
With exclusive footage, surprises, and excitement, Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, returned to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend to announce new projects. Just a few days earlier, this same hall had been the venue for festivities honoring “Deadpool & Wolverine.”)
The presentation showcased some upcoming projects such as “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts,” “Fantastic Four,” and a few “Avengers” movies.
In an unexpected turn of events, Robert Downey Jr. is set to rejoin the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Doctor Doom in the upcoming “Avengers” movie. Known for launching the franchise with his portrayal of Tony Stark in 2008’s “Iron Man,” Downey spent over a decade breathing life into the billionaire, Avengers team leader. His last appearance was in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” where Stark sacrificed himself to save the universe.
The upcoming “Avengers 5” brings not just the comeback of Downey, but also the re-entry of the Russo Brothers into the Marvel Universe. Previously, the Russo Brothers directed four Marvel Cinematic Universe films: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014), “Captain America: Civil War” (2016), “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019). With this return, Marvel Studios seems to be starting anew after some turbulent times.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Marvel’s presentation.
Marvel is forging its future by mining its past
Marvel Studios is indicating a hopeful future by reuniting Downey and the Russos, who have been instrumental in the MCU’s success. The Russos directed two of the MCU’s highest-grossing films, with “Avengers: Endgame” earning over $2.7 billion globally. Meanwhile, Downey has represented the franchise for over a decade as its leading star.
It’s open knowledge that Marvel has faced challenges since “Endgame,” with Phases Four and Five failing to impress some viewers who have criticized it as Marvel’s “less successful period” due to a few disappointing movies. To turn things around, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is shifting direction.
The success of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” earning $205 million domestically and over $438 million globally, indicates that teaming up popular characters could be profitable, at least temporarily. Similar to “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021), this film leveraged nostalgia as a powerful tool and was filled with appearances and references from previous superhero movies.
Kang, dynasty no more
The name of the upcoming Avengers film, which was earlier called “Avengers: Kang Dynasty,” has now been changed to “Avengers: Doomsday.” This movie is predicted to be released in theatres in the year 2026.
Last year, Marvel dismissed Jonathan Majors from the film production after he was convicted of assault and harassment charges. There was uncertainty about how the project would progress next. Should they find a replacement for Majors’ role or possibly rework the entire film and MCU storyline?
The latest MCU title hints at a change in direction for the franchise, as Doctor Doom emerges as the new primary antagonist. In the source material, Victor von Doom is a malevolent mastermind primarily recognized for his conflicts with the Fantastic Four. However, he’s also engaged in battles against the Avengers and X-Men in his attempts to rule the globe.
The MCU is leaving Kang in its rearview mirror, at least for now.
Focus on the First Family
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach attended Hall H to give a sneak peek of their upcoming movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” scheduled for release in 2025. The production officially kicks off this week, and the film is set in 1960s New York. However, its specific location within the Marvel multiverse has yet to be revealed.
As a longtime fan of Marvel comics and movies, I am thrilled to hear that the Fantastic Four will finally make their grand entrance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Having grown up reading comic books featuring the Four’s unique abilities and team dynamics, this announcement brings me immense joy.
Silence speaks volumes?
In Feige’s speech, there was a notable absence of “Blade,” which previously caused a stir during a Marvel Studios presentation in Hall H. The movie, featuring Mahershala Ali as the titular daywalker, was initially slated for a 2025 release but has undergone some changes behind the scenes. Recently, Yann Demange, who had been set to direct the film, left the project.
As a movie critic, I noticed the lack of mention of Marvel’s upcoming television series during the presentation. Shows like “Agatha All Along,” “Daredevil: Born Again,” and “Iron Heart” were noticeably absent from the lineup. It’s possible that Feige is holding back some announcements for Disney’s own convention, D23 Expo, which takes place in August.
Read More
- TOMI PREDICTION. TOMI cryptocurrency
- MDT PREDICTION. MDT cryptocurrency
- SHI PREDICTION. SHI cryptocurrency
- CANTO PREDICTION. CANTO cryptocurrency
- APE PREDICTION. APE cryptocurrency
- ENS PREDICTION. ENS cryptocurrency
- REQ PREDICTION. REQ cryptocurrency
- TRU PREDICTION. TRU cryptocurrency
- VLX PREDICTION. VLX cryptocurrency
- TOKE PREDICTION. TOKE cryptocurrency
2024-07-29 01:23