If you’re like me, you’ve been a fan of superheroes forever. My interest, in particular, started in the ’90s with the original TMNT cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series, Spider-Man, and similar shows. This passion grew immensely in the early 2000s with X-Men and the first Sam Raimi Spider-Man film—both really great movies. Unfortunately, this joy didn’t last forever, as the Fox universe produced some very bad movies, with X-Men: The Last Stand being an absolute disaster. So, you could say I never thought comic book movies were going to be perfect from the beginning.
The Rise of the MCU: A Breath of Fresh Air
Then along came the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it truly felt like a breath of fresh air. I was 18 when Iron Man came out, and honestly, the MCU was a huge part of my young adult life. Despite a couple of minor missteps, it maintained a solid 8/10 quality up until Post-Endgame. Even the Netflix series were great until The Defenders, but we don’t speak about that.
The reason I actually thought about writing this is down to two things. Firstly, I was listening to Vincent D’Onofrio on Menus to be Buried With, and I was thinking, man, they really wasted the return of Kingpin and Daredevil. Both Echo and She-Hulk were pretty terrible, and it was a real waste of these characters. Secondly, my pure, unstoppable hype for Deadpool and Wolverine. Both of these characters are arguably my two favorite superheroes and absolutely the ones I’ve read the most material for. For the first time in a long, long time, I’m doing a slight re-watch of movies because I am hyped to the max, but I am very aware of what the MCU has done.
The Fox Universe: Hits and Misses
The early 2000s were a golden era for superhero films, with Fox releasing X-Men (2000), which was a massive hit. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine quickly became a fan favorite, and the franchise saw considerable success with subsequent releases. However, Fox’s superhero universe was far from perfect. While films like X2: X-Men United and X-Men: Days of Future Past were well-received, the franchise also had its fair share of flops. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) were critically panned and left many fans disappointed.
Sony’s Spider-Man: A Roller Coaster Ride
Meanwhile, Sony’s Spider-Man films were also making waves. Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man 2 (2004) were groundbreaking, setting new standards for superhero films. Tobey Maguire’s portrayal of the web-slinger was beloved by many. However, Spider-Man 3 (2007) was a critical disappointment, and the subsequent Amazing Spider-Man series failed to capture the same magic.
The MCU’s Game-Changing Impact
When the MCU launched with Iron Man in 2008, it revolutionized superhero cinema. The interconnected universe, meticulously planned by Kevin Feige, created an unprecedented narrative web that spanned over a decade. Films like The Avengers (2012), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), and Black Panther (2018) not only broke box office records but also received critical acclaim.
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool (2016) introduced a new, irreverent take on the superhero genre, breaking the fourth wall and bringing a fresh, comedic approach. Deadpool’s success led to a sequel, and both films were praised for their unique tone and faithful portrayal of the character.
The Current State of the MCU
Post-Endgame, the MCU has experienced some turbulence. While films like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) have kept the momentum going, others have been met with mixed reviews. The returns of Kingpin and Daredevil in the Disney+ series were underwhelming, with Echo and She-Hulk failing to meet fan expectations.
However, the upcoming Deadpool 3, featuring both Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, has reignited excitement among fans. These characters are beloved by many, and their return is highly anticipated. For the first time in a long while, I find myself re-watching old movies, filled with hope and nostalgia.
A Glimpse of Hope
Despite recent missteps, there are signs of hope. Loki Season 2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever have been fantastic, reminding us why we fell in love with the MCU in the first place. Marvel seems to be stripping things back, focusing on quality storytelling and character development.
The upcoming collaboration between Deadpool and Wolverine could be a turning point. It has the potential to honor the legacy of past films while setting up something fresh and new. With Kevin Feige at the helm, there is reason to believe that the MCU can regain its former glory.
Conclusion
My point is, while we may worry that the MCU has been a bit lackluster lately, it’s important to remember that comic book movies have always had their ups and downs. I’ve only touched on Marvel here, but we are all very aware of the mess that is the DCU, or DCEU (whatever). Perhaps Deadpool and Wolverine can deliver a really great one-off movie that nods to what’s come before and sets up something fresh and new.
I have some faith again. Marvel feels like it has stripped it all back a little, and recent successes have rekindled my optimism. Please, Lord Kevin Feige, don’t break my heart.