Can There Be Too Much Marvel?

By Matt Chieco

Disney’s former CEO Bob Iger (now succeeded by Bob Chapek) recently unveiled the release dates for two highly anticipated Marvel Studios series on Disney+ during the Walt Disney Company's Q1 FY20 Earnings call. Iger confirmed that 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' is set to be released in August 2020, while 'WandaVision' is scheduled for a December 2020 release.

Marvel Studios is poised to have a total of four releases in 2020, starting with 'Black Widow' in May, followed by 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' in August, 'Eternals' in November, and 'WandaVision' in December. This marks the first time the studio will have more than three releases in a single year. However, the question arises: is it too much for Marvel Studios?

Looking ahead to 2021, Marvel has an impressive slate of seven confirmed releases. These include 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings', 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness', 'Spider-Man 3', and 'Thor: Love and Thunder' in theaters, as well as 'Loki', 'What If…?', and 'Hawkeye' on Disney+. There are also rumors about the possible releases of 'Ms. Marvel', 'Moon Knight', and 'She-Hulk' in 2021.

While some voices, like that of Martin Scorsese, argue that superhero movies are oversaturated, Marvel and other comic book movies remain fresh by embracing a variety of sub-genres. For instance, 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' takes on the spy thriller genre, 'Ant-Man' adopts a heist film approach, 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' draws inspiration from John Hughes' teen comedies, 'Wonder Woman' explores the war film style, and this year's 'Birds of Prey' ventures into the realm of eccentric crime comedies.

This diversification of sub-genres ensures that each movie stands out, preventing a sense of monotony in theaters. Traditional superhero filmmaking no longer suffices, as expectations have risen among fans, setting a higher bar for creativity. Marvel Studios recognizes this and consistently raises the standard with every new release. While not every film can be a resounding success, their overarching vision remains compelling.