Will Marvel Ever Release an Animated Theatrical Movie? Maybe, Says Boss

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As a lifelong Marvel fan and someone who has witnessed the transformation of Marvel Animation from humble beginnings to a powerhouse that rivals live-action productions, I am eagerly awaiting the day when we see a Marvel Studios-produced animated feature film. The success of projects like “What If…?” and “X-Men ’97” has shown us that animation can tell rich, engaging stories that resonate with audiences of all ages.

Brad Winderbaum’s insights on the differences between making an animated television series and a feature film are enlightening, and I appreciate his focus on finding the right property for a two-hour film experience. As someone who has spent countless hours discussing Marvel stories with friends and family, I can attest to the fact that there is certainly a story or character out there that would be best told in this format.

One factor to consider is audience bias towards animated films. While animation may still be seen as primarily for children, we’ve seen time and again that it can captivate audiences of all ages. From “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” to “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” there are plenty of examples of successful animated films that have defied expectations.

If anyone has the clout and creativity to pull off a big-budget animated film that appeals to all ages, it’s Marvel Studios. With the success of “Marvel Rivals” and the popularity of characters like Squirrel Girl and Jeff the Land Shark, I can only imagine what kind of magic they could weave on the big screen.

In closing, I’ll leave you with a joke to lighten things up: What did one animated movie say to another? “I guess it’s not all drawn out!” (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

In 2025, Marvel Animation continues to thrive, boasting three upcoming shows: “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”, “Eyes of Wakanda”, and “Marvel Zombies”. Following the success of “X-Men ’97”, Marvel Animation has become a significant part of Marvel’s empire. Although Brad Winderbaum hinted that a feature film isn’t outright ruled out, it needs to be the perfect project. This animation branch is now a key component of the larger Marvel Studios universe, starting with the hit animated series, “What If…?”.

As Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios’ Head of streaming, television, and animation, I shared some thoughts about a potential Marvel Studios-produced animated film in a chat with Geekcentric (via ComingSoon.net). Essentially, the idea is on our table, but it boils down to having a property that could work as a standalone movie experience.

To me, a film is like a powerful declaration, something you pay for and immerse yourself in during those two hours at the cinema. It’s not just about watching; it’s about connecting with an audience on a grand scale, feeling the energy of a crowd, and having that enormous screen envelop you. It’s a statement to the world. On the other hand, a television show allows for a more prolonged conversation with viewers over multiple episodes.

Winderbaum explained the significant distinctions in producing a Marvel Animation TV show versus a feature film, focusing on which narrative structure is most suitable for a movie rather than a series. In his own words:

“Winderbaum outlined the key disparities when it comes to fashioning a Marvel Animation television production compared to a feature film. He emphasized the importance of understanding what type of story works best in a cinematic context as opposed to a series.

Initially, you’ll notice that more people are involved when creating this project, often forming a larger group. It tends to have a call-and-response dynamic, if I may interpret correctly. If we’re fortunate enough to produce additional seasons, it certainly does. In the case of ‘X-Men ’97’ season two, we’re taking into account feedback from season one, as we did with ‘…What If?’. To me, this is a significant advantage of television. It helps us decide whether something should be a movie or not. Is it firmly rooted in this world, this character, and this specific moment? Is the story best told within a two-hour timeframe?

As a die-hard Marvel fan who has been following the MCU since its inception, I can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment at the thought of DC Studios potentially releasing a feature film before Marvel Animation does, especially when it comes to the rumored reboot post-Avengers: Secret Wars. Having grown up with Marvel comics and watching the MCU unfold on the big screen, I have eagerly anticipated each new installment, and the prospect of a gap in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is disheartening. However, I must admit that I am intrigued by the idea of a Robin-led animated film from DC Studios. As someone who has always loved Batman and Robin, I’m excited to see how their dynamic will be portrayed on screen, especially given James Gunn’s talent for storytelling and character development. Ultimately, while I would love to see Marvel continue its dominance in the superhero movie genre, I can appreciate a well-crafted film from DC Studios as well.

Getting Over the Hurdle of Audience Bias Toward Animated Films

It’s important to take into account the potential appeal of animated projects among various age groups. Although animation is a versatile medium capable of narrating stories for all demographics, it is often perceived as predominantly catering to children. Even though animated adaptations of popular franchises such as Transformers: One and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem were considered enhancements over their live-action counterparts, they underperformed at the box office due to difficulty in convincing older audiences to embrace them as suitable entertainment for all ages rather than just children. Conversely, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, despite being part of the esteemed The Lord of the Rings franchise, flopped at the box office.

If any brand were to create a large-scale animated film that would draw a substantial audience, it’s likely Marvel, given their success with previous animated films like Big Hero 6 and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an excellent case in point; despite earning less than the live-action Spider-Man movies at the box office initially, its positive word of mouth grew over time. This eventually led to a significant increase in ticket sales for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, surpassing both the Amazing Spider-Man films and Spider-Man: Homecoming at the domestic box office.

Given an appropriate project, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could potentially thrive in the realm of animated films. The recent triumph of “Marvel Rivals” has opened up intriguing possibilities for a Squirrel Girl film starring Milana Vayntrub or even a Jeff the Land Shark movie, both of which appear to be promising proposals.

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2024-12-29 03:04