Things keep on getting worse for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Just a few years ago, it was enjoying a billion-dollar outing in Spider-Man: No Way Home with several follow-ups that did fairly okay at the global box office. But over the past year, the MCU has had a franchise-worst run, ultimately culminating in the paltry financial performance of The Marvels and the critically panned Secret Invasion.
As part of its strategy to salvage the situation and maintain the quality fans expect from it, the MCU has already cut down on its release cadence but as it turns out, some of those delays have become cancellations.
According to a recent report, Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, has made the tough decision to snap away several MCU sequels in fear that they might not perform well at the global box office, including the much-anticipated Eternals 2.
As per @DanielRPK, Eternals 2 was among the sequels caught in the latest cancellation wave. Despite the original Eternals film’s ambitious attempt to introduce a new cosmic narrative and a diverse star-studded cast, it faced challenges, including criticisms of its pacing and depth, and it failed to achieve blockbuster success. This outcome, combined with the movie’s lukewarm critical reception, has led to the conclusion that a sequel might not be the best investment for the studio.
But Eternals 2 isn’t the only sequel given the boot, as the next Captain Marvel and Ant-Man films are reportedly off the table as well, although this comes as less of a surprise.
The Marvels and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania saw disappointing returns last year, immediately putting into question their sustainability within the ever-expanding Marvel universe. The cancelation, even if unofficial, feels like a formality at this point.
According to Richtman, Disney is focusing its resources on “guaranteed hits” to mitigate risks. Today’s studios have become increasingly cautious. It’s believed this is a response to market behavior, suggesting that the world is still recovering from the pandemic and its impact on moviegoing habits. This has led to concerns that prioritizing “safe” films and shows could lead to a homogenized slate of films that lack the innovation and depth that have made the MCU a cultural phenomenon.
In defense of this decision, the MCU isn’t stepping away from innovation entirely. Daredevil: Born Again will delve into similarly mature themes that helped make Echo a modest hit among critics and audiences alike. Deadpool 3 will also blow the door to the multiverse wide open when it premieres later this year. Besides, let’s not forget that not every sequel is canceled – Simu Liu is expected to return for a second season with Iron Fist possibly joining the MCU by then.
Thus, Disney’s latest pivot may be less about stifling creativity and killing experimental outings but a tightening of its focus to ensure new additions resonate with audiences and deliver the box office success that had become synonymous with the brand until last year.
