Marvel's Cinematic Dominance and Why Guardians of the Galaxy Will Prove Its Superiority

The Day was May 4th. Millions of people crowded around a small theater awaiting their tickets to Marvel’s the Avengers, and anticipating the moment when their lifelong heroes would appear on the same screen. But there was something different about this crowd. There weren’t just MARVEL fans in that long tedious line, but normal people that were just as eager as the nerds next to them.
In just 19 days the film grossed $1 billion worldwide. MARVEL had now singlehandedly executed a complex business plan that slowly built a fan base with Solo films. Then they created a crossover event that not only everyone was aware of, but interested in.

5 years ago I scoffed at the idea that MARVEL could make an Avengers movie without Spiderman, Wolverine, and other mainstream characters. But they did, and in 1 solo movie they put a C-list character in the A-list mainstream popularity. Characters like Ironman, and Thor had little to no status. But in the summer of 2008 it was impossible to drive down New York without seeing a Billboard with Robert Downey Jr. cast as the Iron Avenger.

Now looking back on it Marvel’s the Avengers marked the end of the dark and gritty Christopher Nolan days. And Began a Fun, Colorful, and “comic booky” age of films that will last longer then you expect. When the Avengers was breaking Box Office records DC was concocting a plan to also bring together their characters and create a Justice League film. But as much as I wish I could see Batman conversing with Superman on screen I fear it will never actually happen.
The problem with the DC and LEGENDARY partnership was that LEGENDARY was afraid to take risks with their films. I hope that with the recent collaboration with DUNE ENTERTAINMENT means that DC can let go of their unneeded caution, and try at a shared cinematic universe.

After Marvel’s the Avengers grossed as much as it did MARVEL subconsciously wanted to test themselves, and see what new strange ideas they could overcome. Enter; Guardians of the Galaxy. Guardians of the Galaxy is based off a long line of comic book series that showcase cosmic heroes that must band together to defend the universe. The film will be released in 2014, and will be written, and directed by James Gunn. The team consists of very obscure characters such as Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and Gamora.

To put it simply; If MARVEL scores gold with Guardians of the Galaxy then they have proven themselves cinematically superior to not only DC, but to every comic book movie company in recent memory. Can MARVEL make a walking tree, and talking raccoon interesting to fans and the general audience? Well, looks like we’ll just have to wait and see.