Is a Shared Universe a Good Thing on Film?

Is DC really going about things the wrong way and how long can Marvel's shared universe idea keep going?

Editorial Opinion
By ironpool007 - Apr 03, 2011 04:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Other

Let me begin by saying that I am all for a shared universe. I love seeing my favorite superheroes showing up in each other's comic books and I think that Marvel is doing something truly unique with the idea of all their superheroe movies currently leading in The Avengers. And yes, i was one of millions of fans who was dissapointed when DC announced it would not follow the same path.

However as much as I like what Marvel is doing, I have to realistic and ask how much longer can this experiment go on? Like it or not, when the latest Batman or Iron Man movie comes out, we the fans are not the only ones who go to see it. A big portion of the audience are the general public, who are just looking for a good movie to watch for 2 hours. A lot of these people are probably not aware that Marvel is tying their films together for The Avengers and frankly, some may not care. Some people just want to go in and watch a story about Iron Man, and not be bothered with a lead in sequence to Thor. The reaction to Iron Man 2 was proof of this.

I can also imagine that this initiative places a strain on the director of each of these movie. Even if Marvel does not mean to or does not think it is, telling a director to tie thier movie to a pre exhisting vision puts a damper on creativity in some ways.

Plus what happens when the actors get too old or stop being interested. Does that mean we go back and reboot everything and start all over tying stuff together? In a perfect world, I would keep these characters young by using digital verions of the actors, and let the actors do voice work and some mo-cap. And if you try to recast Robert Downey Jr, well I can not see anyone exepting that idea. I've heard Charlie Sheen's name thrown around, but he's no Tony Stark to me.

We also know that Shane Black's Iron Man 3 will take place after The Avengers and that he is planning on focusing the story around Iron Man. I can only imagine that the other heroes will be treated in the same way. And post Avengers, thats an acceptable idea because the pressure of setting up something huge will be off.

Once again, dont get me wrong. I love the idea of taking a page from the comics with a shared universe,and I think it is worth a try, but its a big burden for Marvel to bare.

About The Author:
ironpool007
Member Since 2/28/2011
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Dumegg
Dumegg - 4/3/2011, 4:59 PM
up until now we haven't got to see a shared universe.
so i think its good that marvel is taking it to a new
level. DC will probably do a JL movie. it's a good
thing for fans and maybe some regular movie viewers
might turn into fans.
ironpool007
ironpool007 - 4/3/2011, 5:38 PM
@ Darkmatter: I'm all for it myself, and so far it has been a sucess. But this is the sole reason Marvel Studios exhists. All I am saying is how much longer can it go on? It's a big burden. Iwhish Marvel all the best though. I want it to work as much as you do.
Dumegg
Dumegg - 4/3/2011, 5:50 PM
if marvel ever gets the rights back to xmen and the
others, it will be even more incredible.
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/3/2011, 5:57 PM
the shared universe is the best thing ever to happen to comic book movies.

things can only get better iron man was the begining & everything else will branch out from that,it'll be like a family tree.

there is so many stories to tell,personally after the avengers i want them to explore the cosmic characters.

as for actors getting too old,just recast them people will understand that if chris evans is 50 or 60 years old do ya really want him still playing captain america.

all the while they're making money & people are still intrested they'll keep making movies.

marvel need the rights back to spider-man,fantastic four & the x-men.

then things will really heat up.

Dumegg
Dumegg - 4/3/2011, 6:00 PM
i'd be very excited to see marvel studios version of
galactus. a giant dude trashing cities, how bad ass
would THAT be.
tehdude
tehdude - 4/3/2011, 7:13 PM
Woah! ... this shared universe thing isn't anything new... or do i need to point you guys in the direction of Kevin Smiths Viewaskewniverse? ;P seriously though, i love what marvels doing with the cinematic universe. it's gonna be pretty bomb yo.
Dumegg
Dumegg - 4/3/2011, 7:27 PM
@ tehdude- Viewaskewniverse?
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/3/2011, 7:29 PM
@ darkmatter

i can dream,can't i. :(

i'd be happy if they went back one franchise at a time,nice & slowly.

fantastic four is a must,marvel versions of dr.doom,silver surfer & galactus.

that would be too much to take,i think i'd pass out.

its fox though soon as its time for the rights to run out,they'll make an annoucement of the fantastic four reboot.

maybe the x-men films they want to make will keep them distracted & they'll forget about the fantastic four,then bang the rights are gone.
ironpool007
ironpool007 - 4/3/2011, 9:58 PM
Guys. I think your missing the point. I love the cinematic universe. I know you guys love it too, and i think it is safe to say that most comic books fans love it as well. Are there people in the general public who think it's cool? Sure there are. But how many are there? Thats what I am asking. How long can Marvel keep this thing running? I hope for a long time. I guess The Avengers is what will answer my questions.
Checkmate
Checkmate - 4/3/2011, 11:18 PM
They can keep it running forever, just as they're doing for their comics.
Frogman
Frogman - 4/4/2011, 3:59 AM
Where I see the appeal of having all the characters/franchises back at Marvel I don't think it would be particularly beneficial to the fans. Suddenly they get 4/5 characters/teams to work with whilst still trying to make sequels to the already established characters in the MCU as well as bringing new characters to the screen... If they got the Fantastic Four rights back in the next year, who do you think is more likely to get a film? The Fantastic Four or Doctor Strange? The Fantastic Four or the Black Panther? The Fantastic Four or Iron Fist? I'm betting all the characters that haven't appeared yet would take a back seat to the Fantastic Four.

Anyway... back to the point of the article. The MCU could keep going for a very long time BUT with the numerous sequels or intertwining or whatever whether the popularity continues is another matter, obviously there are a lot of fans that would still love it but what if the general audiences grow tired of it? And we all know about the "third film curse" or how much members of this site were disappointed with Iron Man 2.
ironpool007
ironpool007 - 4/4/2011, 4:42 AM
It's also worth pointing out that the Iron Man franchise is the only one to really develop into just that yet. As much of an improvement as The Incredible Hulk was over Ang Lee's film, I don't think Marvel was totally satisfied with it, as his only new appearances will be in a TV show and The Avengers. And while Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger are not out yet, they are unproven. I think these 2 will do fine though.
ROBBEATZZZ
ROBBEATZZZ - 4/4/2011, 7:38 AM
YEA THE SHARED MOVIE U IS A DREAM COME TRUE..I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION HOW LONG CAN THEY KEEP IT GOING..ANSWER..AS LONG AS THERE IS A FAN BASE..WE KNOW ACTORS GET OLDER..GROW TIRED..CONTRACTS EXPIRE..IS A RECAST THE ANSWER?..NOT SURE..BUT THERE IS ALWAYS MOVIES DONE IN CGI...LOOK @ STARWARS...CGI WOULDNT BE BAD @ ALL..LOOK HOW GOOD THIS LOOKED IN THE MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE GAMES!.
RustyChambers
RustyChambers - 4/4/2011, 11:26 AM
^ This guy's excited.

I'm sure they'll keep coming up with more crossover movies. I mean who says they all have to be with The Avengers or a huge line up of characters?

I can picture a Thor vs. Hulk movie. How about Captain America fighting The Punisher?

It doesn't have to be The Avengers all the time. Not even the comic books do that. Do you pick up an Iron Man comic and get dissapointed when no other superhero characters show up? I don't. I'm just glad the if they want to include other superheroes, the option is there.
Paulley
Paulley - 4/6/2011, 1:47 AM
Well i think a shared universe works better if its subtle.... you dont need Iron Man or big bits talking about the Avengers.. and im guessing after The Avengers fully establishes the shared universe things will just quiet down.

Knowing SHIELD is about, or that some tech comes from Stark Industies, Roxxon or what ever is enough.. the occasional background news report to give it some time frame etc... yea every so often drop in a big name for a cameo scene/appearance just dont force it down our throats
Caedus137
Caedus137 - 4/7/2011, 6:25 AM
Marvel are doing the right thing with the Avengers in my opinion. Having these iconic characters team up will be a special moment for nerds everywhere. The closest DC have come was George Clooney's line "This is why Superman works alone" in the opening scene of Batman & Robin... So hopefully the JLA movie will be the start of an entertaining franchise.
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