Is Marvel setting itself up for failure? Most people would consider this question absurd. How can a billion dollar franchise coming off its two most successful movies, The Avengers and Iron Man 3, be in trouble? Not to mention The Avengers 2 is probably the most anticipated sequel since The Dark Knight.
In May audiences everywhere enjoyed the 3rd installment of the Iron Man franchise. The movie ends with Tony Stark no longer needing his arc reactor center piece, and the idea he can move on in life without Iron Man. Obviously news broke weeks later that RDJ will return to the Avengers franchise as Tony Stark. However, no word of a 4th Iron Man movie was mentioned leading to believe the stand alone Iron Man franchise could be finished. This fall and next summer we will get the sequels to Thor and Captain America which will lead into Avengers 2. Assuming Marvel follows the same pattern as Iron Man, we will see the third installments of Thor and Captain America some time in Phase 3. Leading to the question of will we see the end of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America in the Marvel universe or will the storylines continue through Avenger sequels?
In the comics characters were constantly being killed off or disbanded and then make dramatic returns. That version of story telling is very appropriate for comic books, but I do not believe it is possible in movies. Due to money, age, or just boredom it is difficult to have the same actors reprise roles beyond 3 movies. Marvel has hundreds of characters with thousands of storylines that could spin off dozens of potential movies. I think it goes without saying they have used most of the popular characters to date. With Guardians of the Galaxy on the way along with Ant-Man and Doctor Strange Marvel is very driven to expand the current movie universe. As this next wave of characters enters and the possibility of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America eventually fading out will Marvel be able to maintain the standard of movie they have set? Is Hank Pym going to be as interesting as Tony Stark? Stephen Strange as mystical as Thor? This will be a challenge that Marvel will have to address in the near future, but I believe they are more than up for the task. Marvel has surrounded itself with wonderful talent from the actors, directors, and screenwriters. They continue to push the boundaries and present unprecedented entertainment. In 2007 they gave the world Iron Man as a starting point for a massive storyline, but like all great stories the ending must be up to par.