The MCU and Its Spider-Man Fetish
THE MCU AND ITS SPIDER-MAN FETISH
I have a confession. I am getting tired of the media pushing this idea that the MCU "needed" Spider-man. I get it. The media has been churning out these articles on behalf of Disney Studios and Marvel Films. But I find this mindset disturbing. The media and many of the franchise’s fans are wallowing in this belief that without Spider-man, the MCU will fall apart. What? The franchise had survived and THRIVED for eight years without Spider-man. What was this sudden need for him?
Because Iron Man is no longer part of the franchise? I do not care. Iron Man’s last solo film had been released back in 2013 . . . six years ago. Since then, he has been either appeared in Avengers films or unnecessarily in the solo films of others like Captain America's third solo film and Spider-man's first. Is the MCU franchise in a tizzy over its recent loss of Spider-man because Captain America is no longer part of the franchise? I love Captain America. In fact, I believe Marvel/Disney should have made another solo film for him, considering that his third film was nearly hijacked by Iron Man. But nothing ever lasts forever.
The media and the MCU have been so focused on Spider-man this year that they seemed to have forgotten about other Marvel Comics characters. I understand that the Hulk will never have another solo film as long as Universal Pictures retain the rights of his character. But Ant-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy still require one final solo movie for their respective sub-franchises. Doctor Strange, Black Panther and Captain Marvel are still up for two more solo films. But the MCU seems to harbor little interest in them.
According to Disney Studios and Marvel Films, the second Doctor Strange solo movie will not be released until 2021. This means Benedict Cumberbatch would have to wait at least four-and-a-half years between his first and second solo movies. I also learned there will not be a second Black Panther movie until 2022 . . . four years after the first movie and during the franchise’ Phase Five. Even more disturbing is an unsubstantiated rumor that the Princess Shuri character will assume the mantle of Black Panther before the end of this second film. Wait? Would the MCU really consider denying Chadwick Boseman of his third solo film? Then again, the franchise had allowed Robert Downey Jr. to rob half of Chris Evans’ last Captain America solo movie. Perhaps I should not be surprised.
I have seen the lineup for the Phase Four movies. There are other Marvel characters that will not be seen in movies during this phase. Where is Captain Marvel? Where is Ant-Man? Where are the Guardians of the Galaxy? Why is the MCU taking so long to continue the arcs of these characters? Had Kevin Feige and the Disney suits planned for Spider-man to fill void? I had heard rumors of the franchise granting a second trilogy for Spider-man after the third solo film. A second trilogy? Why does Spider-man get a second trilogy?
I will admit that I have been a long time fan of Spider-man since I was a kid. But I also have to admit that I heartily dislike the current MCU portrayal of the character. I have nothing against Tom Holland. But I feel he is supported by bad writing and a mediocre director in the form of Jon Watts. At this point, I would prefer if Sony had resume making their own Spider-man movies. But if Holland continues to portray Spider-man, I wish to God that Sony, Disney or both would consider improving the sub-franchise’s writing and direction.
But even if Holland continues portraying Spider-man under Sony Pictures, why did the MCU revolve its hope around the character? It made no sense. Marvel Comics have so many characters to choose from. Spider-man was never part of the franchise during the first eight years of its existence. I find it ridiculous to pin all of its hopes on this one character . . . as if its presence within the MCU is a "ride or die" situation.