Movies

Marvel’s Deadliest Mistake: Fantastic Four Dooms the Entire MCU!

BBG News

Initially, Fantastic Four: First Steps was meant to usher in an exciting new era. Regrettably, it’s become another piece of evidence showing Marvel Studios has veered off course — and even more concerning, they seem to have alienated their audience. What once stood as a beacon of blockbuster excellence now appears as a hollow label, relying on nostalgia and ideology instead of substance or narrative prowess.

At one point, Marvel symbolized superior quality. Audiences flocked to cinemas for unfamiliar heroes like the Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man, simply because the Marvel label signified trust: “It’s going to be great.

But that promise has been broken, and now no franchise, no matter how iconic, can fix the damage.

The downfall of the studio is no longer a secret; it started with a distinct and calculated ideological change under Kevin Feige and Victoria Alonso’s leadership. Instead of focusing on strong characters and compelling narratives, the studio prioritized progressive themes and storylines centered around identities. Unfortunately, films like “The Eternals” failed at the box office, and “The Marvels” became Marvel’s lowest-grossing movie ever. Yet, it seems that the studio has not taken these lessons to heart.

The movie “Fantastic Four: First Steps” serves as the most evident demonstration yet that Marvel is unwilling to change direction. This film is heavily steeped in contemporary political undertones, with characters being reworked around current activist catchphrases. Instead of the impulsive, charming character that audiences adored, Johnny Storm has been revamped, with the actor expressing doubts about whether a “womanizer and carefree man” still holds any allure in today’s society.

In simpler terms, Sue Storm is portrayed as a diplomat with a growing family, who is exceptionally empathetic and plays a crucial role in promoting worldwide disarmament. Her character seems less about personal growth and more like a public lecture on peacekeeping.

The problem isn’t that characters are changing, it’s why they’re being changed. Instead of focusing on emotional or story development, Marvel is now altering its heroes to promote a specific message. It’s not about what makes the Fantastic Four interesting. It’s about ensuring they align with a studio that values progressive branding.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast and avid follower of Marvel’s works, I must express my disappointment with the upcoming sequel to one of their most cherished shows, Daredevil: Born Again. While it retains the same title that once resonated so strongly with fans, it seems to have lost the essence that made us fall in love with it. The charisma, the raw intensity, the layers of depth – all appear to be missing. It’s as if Marvel is under the misconception that merely attaching familiar names to lackluster scripts will be sufficient to regain our affection. However, I fear that this approach falls short of the mark.

Marvel has a substantial investment riding on the X-Men, yet this doesn’t guarantee success. Success will hinge solely on the casting choices and whether the studio decides to abandon the “girl power” approach they’ve been emphasizing since Captain Marvel. Even then, it might be too late, as the goodwill that was once associated with Marvel has faded. Fans no longer extend Marvel the leniency they once did, and even iconic comic book figures like The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men are failing to generate excitement.

Indeed, Spider-Man continues to produce income. However, it’s important to clarify that while Marvel Studios are reaping the benefits of his success, it’s actually Sony who holds the rights to him. So, Marvel Studios are essentially borrowing the victories, but they aren’t the ones cashing the checks.

Currently, the focus isn’t on if Marvel can create a great film, but rather if there’s still interest from viewers. After years of content, it seems that the audience has shifted their attention elsewhere, and without significant creative changes, the Marvel Cinematic Universe may struggle to regain its former popularity.

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2025-04-18 01:55

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