As a long-time Marvel fan and someone who has watched the evolution of these characters over the years, I must admit that I find myself a bit disappointed with some recent developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Don’t get me wrong, I love the thrill of new superheroes joining the fray, but it seems like the rush to introduce and establish these characters is overshadowing their development.
The Marvel Cinematic World revolutionized film and television production by creating a shared universe for their movies and shows. At its highest point, almost every film produced by Kevin Fiegi and his team would earn over one billion dollars at the box office. This unprecedented success has been imitated by horror series such as The Conjuring, Star Wars, and even their competitors, the DC Extended Universe.
At present, there are a total of 34 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films in circulation, with an additional 10 in the works. However, movies such as Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Wolverine, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, although not originally produced by the MCU, are now considered part of its universe. The MCU also boasts 23 television series, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Loki, and their newest addition, Agatha All Along.
Many films and series have spawned globally adored characters that have sparked enthusiasm among viewers. They’ve ignited passions in people to pursue careers in film, acting, or even imitate their favorite characters on Halloween. However, not every character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe garners universal approval among fans.
10 The Wasp
Introduced in Ant-Man (2015)
In the initial Ant-Man film, featuring Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, demonstrated strong earnings at the cinema, garnering positive feedback from both fans and critics. Lilly’s acting was lauded, and many Marvel enthusiasts eagerly anticipated her potential appearance in the following movie. However, after Ant-Man and The Wasp, the momentum began to wane gradually. Just as the Wasp possesses a subtle superpower, Evangeline Lilly’s influence in the Ant-Man series subtly diminished over time.
Surprisingly Crowded Movie for Shrinking Crime Fighters
A significant portion of Lilly’s reduced screen time in the Ant-Man sequels might be attributed to the impressive performances of several supporting actors. For instance, Michael Peña, David Dastmalchian, and T.I. reappeared as Ant-Man’s ex-con crew in Ant-Man and the Wasp, garnering considerable attention. Moreover, Abby Ryder-Fortson returned as Cassy Lang, daughter of Scott Lang’s Ant-Man character and Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas. The competition for screen time was further intensified with the introduction of new villains (Walton Goggins and Hannah John-Kamen), Michelle Phifer as Janet Van Dyne, the original Wasp, and Hank Pym’s love interest.
Keep in mind, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be the second sequel, but don’t expect much from Lilly’s character as she takes a smaller role due to the introduction of a new antagonist, fresh faces, and the reappearance of an old ally portrayed by Corey Stoll as M.O.D.O.K., who is no longer the villainous character he once was. The Wasp has made brief appearances in films like Avengers: Endgame during the fight against Thanos and a quick scene with Scott and Cassie, but it seems that the studio doesn’t prioritize her character enough to give her more screen time.
9 John Walker
Introduced in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021)
In the series “Falcon and the Winter Soldier”, John Walker, portrayed by actor Wyatt Russell who is known for his role in “Overlord”, didn’t spark significant interest among casual Marvel Cinematic Universe viewers. The fact that he took over the Captain America role from Sam Wilson (The Falcon) and Bucky Barnes was met with disapproval by some fans. Furthermore, Walker’s hasty actions like killing a terrorist who had killed his comrades, along with his arrogance when conversing with the Dora Milaje, left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans, giving them the impression that he behaved like a spoiled child craving respect merely because he was chosen to bear Captain America’s shield.
Maybe It’s Time for a Rebrand?
Contrarily, numerous fans have highly commended Russell’s portrayal of John Walker. In the upcoming 2025 film, Thunderbolts, starring Florence Pugh and David Harbor, Walker will be known as the U.S. Agent instead. Therefore, even though the character hasn’t been universally popular among fans so far, this new team-up movie might influence public perception of the character positively.
8 Ava Starr
Introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
As a devoted fan, I must admit that Hannah John-Kamen’s portrayal of Ava Starr in Ant-Man and the Wasp was truly outstanding. Her ghostly character, Ghost, brought an eerie, chilling vibe that added depth to her role. It’s a pity that these supernatural aspects seemed to be overlooked.
Unlucky Debut, But Hope is on the Horizon
A significant factor behind the waning curiosity towards “Ghost” might stem from the negative critical reception and underperformance at the box office by “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” However, Hannah John-Kamen is set to reprise her role for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, “Thunderbolts.” This could potentially shed light on what transpired with her character following the snap. Similarly, as with Walker, increased screen time as a hero might stimulate greater interest in the character.
7 Monica Rambeau
Introduced in WandaVision (2021)
As a passionate film enthusiast, I was thrilled when Teyonah Parris stepped into the shoes of Monica Rambeau in WandaVision. It wasn’t hard for many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans to pick up on the hints that her character was likely just a sneak peek into a future project. That project, it turned out, was none other than The Marvels, featuring the talented Brie Larson. Being cast alongside heavyweights like Larson, Elizabeth Olson, and Paul Bettany can certainly open doors to a wider audience, but it also carries the risk of getting lost in the star-studded lineup.
In “The Marvels” and “WandaVision”, Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris, takes a supporting role behind Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Kathryn Hahn. Despite the lack of leading roles for her character, Monica Rambeau is well-liked and respected, but hasn’t yet had the opportunity to truly captivate audiences on her own.
Playing Third Fiddle Doesn’t Always Pay the Bills
As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that Olson’s portrayal of Wanda Maximoff, alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson as her brother Pietro, in “Avengers: Age of Ultron“, perfectly demonstrates the art of playing a supporting role, often referred to as the third chair. Initially, they found themselves in the shadow of the villain, Ultron. However, their decision to join forces with the Avengers marked a shift, where they became secondary characters to the heroes. Wanda continued her journey in various Marvel productions, while Pietro seemed to recede into obscurity.
It’s reasonable to think that Loki’s death played a role in his absence, but given that they managed to resurrect Loki four times, it seems possible that Kevin Feige and his team might have found a way to reintroduce Tom Hiddleston’s Quicksilver. If Monica Rambeau is given the opportunity to headline an MCU TV series or film, there could be a case made for her removal from this list as well.
6 Flash Thompson (Spider-Man Films) – Introduced in 2017
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man movies, Tony Revolori portrays Flash Thompson. This contemporary take on Peter Parker’s high school tormentor is introduced in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Instead of the conventional jock character who uses physical strength to bully others, Revolori’s portrayal employs sarcastic remarks and humiliating peers to feed his ego.
The Times They Are Changing for Bullies
It seems like the adjustment was probably made to reflect the shifting times. Nowadays, physical bullying isn’t as prevalent as it once was when Spider-Man first emerged in comics. Making the character a bully who uses social or psychological tactics instead fits better with current societal norms. However, in a film series known for its witty one-liners, a bully who relies on these for his character might get overshadowed.
Tony Revolori’s Flash may be comical, yet his absence from the film wouldn’t significantly alter the humor. The writers could easily assign the joke to another character, and honestly, I don’t think many of us would have noticed or cared much about it either way.
5 Sersi
Introduced in Eternals (2021)
The film Eternals is brimming with enjoyable, engaging characters that many casual Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) viewers might have overlooked within two weeks. Some may not even recall that Emma Chan plays the lead role of Sersi. MCU actor Anthony Mackie noted in an interview that in modern Hollywood, such characters can easily fade into obscurity.
“It’s not the actor that sells the tickets, it’s the character.”
As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can confidently say that what truly drew me to Eternals wasn’t just the captivating characters. Rather, it was the thrilling prospect of diving into another intriguing chapter within the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe that ultimately sealed the deal for me and many other fans.
Starting as a Team can Sometimes Hurt the Team
In Emma Chan’s efforts to create an engaging character, Sersi, she faced challenges due to an overabundance of new characters and storylines in the film. This issue is often encountered in superhero movies, such as those within the DCEU like Suicide Squad and Justice League. Moreover, Eternals was poorly received by critics at its release, making it one of the least favorite films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The disinterest from fans even led Marvel Studios to reconsider future plans for a sequel. At present, it seems there are no immediate plans to bring back Eternals to the big screen.
4 Betty Ross
Introduced in The Incredible Hulk (2008)
As a movie enthusiast, can you imagine if I told you that Liv Tyler, known for her role in The Lord of the Rings, was once part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Hulk’s love interest? If your memory is hazy on this, don’t worry, many others share the same sentiment. The Incredible Hulk, Marvel’s second film starring Edward Norton from Fight Club, is one of those less memorable entries in the MCU. This isn’t due to Tyler’s performance, but rather because of the casting and production hurdles that have plagued potential solo Hulk movies for years. However, it’s accurate to say that Betty Ross was not a character that left a lasting impression. In fact, when Marvel reintroduced the Hulk in The Avengers, they not only replaced Norton with Mark Ruffalo, but also changed the love interest, leading to an unusual romantic dynamic between the Hulk and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow.
The Hulk Doesn’t Need a Love Interest
Instead of leaving Betty Ross out, why not bring her back into the storyline? After all, Tim Roth has been invited back as the Hulk’s adversary, the Abomination. William Hurt was also brought back to reprise his role as General Thunderbolt Ross, Betty’s father. So, why exclude Betty? Marvel eventually decided to explore the storyline if Betty Ross were to return again. Liv Tyler is scheduled to reappear in her role for the upcoming movie, Captain America: Brave New World.
But after all of these years it begs the question, does the Hulk really need a love interest? Marvel teased a new love interest for the big guy in Age of Ultron but abandoned it. Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is a completely different person… or Hulk… than was introduced in 2008. It’s been over 16 years since we last saw Betty and Bruce Banner interact. Not every character in the MCU needs to keep returning for a small role or a cameo. We went 16 years without knowing what Betty Ross had been up to. But only time will tell if fans will care or not.
3 Danny Rand
Introduced in Iron Fist (2017)
As a die-hard Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) enthusiast, I must say that “Iron Fist” marked the MCU’s inaugural foray into the realm of kung fu franchises. Stepping into the role of the titular character is Finn Jones, who teams up with another talented actor from “Game of Thrones,” Jessica Henwick, to deliver some breathtaking fight sequences within the MCU. This series is part of the Netflix “Defenders” collection, which also includes “Luke Cage,” “Jessica Jones,” and “Daredevil.
Packs a Punch in a Fight, But Not with Fans
This factor significantly impacted the audience’s emotional connection with the character. Given the abundance of superhero productions available today, a show’s lack of polish can deter viewers. Additionally, when Iron Fist was initially launched, there was no crossover between Netflix Defenders characters and the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. This restricted the chances for Danny Rand to garner fans or remind them that he is part of the MCU, even after nearly a decade.
2 Jane Foster
Introduced in Thor (2011)
In the initial two Thor films, Jane Foster resembled Betty Ross due to being a love interest for Thor. For Thor: Ragnarok, Jane and Thor were “on a break,” resulting in no appearance from Jane. However, Jane returns in Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder, not just as a love interest but also ready to fight alongside Thor. What do the first two Thor films and Love and Thunder share? Both movies have received negative reviews, and they both feature Natalie Portman as Jane Foster.
Thor Doesn’t Need Love, He Needs Thunder
Now this is not a knock on Natalie Portman. She is an Oscar-winning actress after all. But what Thor: Ragnarok proved was that we don’t always have to give the hero a love interest. Sometimes we just need to let them be a flawed character working to improve themselves. If you took Jane Foster out of any of the Thor films, the plot would not change. Foster has some fun moments in her time in the MCU, but ultimately, is a character fans aren’t likely to miss moving forward.
1 G’iah
Introduced in Secret Invasion (2023)
Enlisting Emilia Clarke, who starred in “Game of Thrones,” for Marvel’s “Secret Invasion” series sparked a lot of enthusiasm among fans. However, by the end of the final episode, a significant portion of Marvel fans were left pondering, “so, she’s here… but what’s next?” The series and Clarke’s acting have not received much appreciation from a substantial part of the Marvel fan community.
A common critique among fans is that Marvel didn’t accurately adapt the comic book narrative. Some viewers argue it doesn’t significantly advance the MCU storyline. However, the main concern appears to be the rapid escalation of G’iah’s power level within a short period, coupled with minimal character growth and development for this character in the MCU.
Keep it Simple and Take Your Time
Critics and fans have been noticing an issue in the MCU recently: characters are sometimes developed too quickly or insufficiently. Regardless if it’s G’iah, Danny Rand, or Carol Danvers, when a character is thrust into what might be the most prominent cinematic universe ever without proper development, it can deter viewers, even those who are devoted fans.
Currently, there’s an abundance of top-notch superhero content available, with even more in the pipeline. For Marvel to maintain fan interest in their characters and stories across movies and TV shows, they must invest time in character development. This way, both new and longtime fans can build meaningful relationships with these characters, fostering a desire to continue following them. Introducing a character into an already successful franchise only works when the franchise itself is thriving at its peak.
Given that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has descended from its peak, the studio appears to have adopted a practice of rapidly releasing films and series, hoping that some will stick with viewers. However, this approach won’t satisfy their devoted fanbase.
Marvel needs to stay true to what made them successful: creating engaging, imperfect, and relatable characters. They should strategize how each character contributes to the larger narrative, and invest time in crafting high-quality products. Given their box office successes, they have the resources to satisfy fans by dedicating additional effort to polishing their projects. This focus on refinement is expected to make their lead characters more captivating in the future.
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2024-10-12 05:07