When Iron Man exploded onto the big screen I, as well as many millions worldwide, smiled with excitemnet. Not only was it a flawless translation of the pages of a comic book adored the world over but it was also the start of a plan we could only have hoped for. Marvel were about to turn superhero comic continuity into a Marvel cinematic universe that echoes just that. There has been an Incredible Hulk movie that teased not only future installments of this universe but also what we could expect from Marvel in regards to how Hulk will be depicted within the future of their franchises. Iron Man 2 was yet another springboard between a stand alone adventure and the start of weaving these, and future Marvel movies, together.
I have enjoyed all three of what is to be the subsiquent brickwork that will pave the way towards The Avengers outing in 2012. I find it very difficult to be critical of the characters and elements within the movies as I am being given exactly what I want from a movie...my favourite characters brought to life infront of my very eyes. I can sympathise with people who dislike particular changes to the source material but we all have such varied tastes I don't think you will please everybody all of the time. Changes, at times, are neccessary.
Having viewed the Thor and Captain America TV spots from last nights Superbowl I was ecstatic. Not just for seeing them finally start the ball rolling until their inevitable release dates. Nor the waterfall of info, pictures and footage that is about to rain down on us. But for the fact the plan laid out for us years ago is finally coming together...more than nicely!
But why did I have a niggling in the back of my mind? One that has been growing over the last year. After reading comments on here regarding particular stories I could see that it is a reservation that a majority of you relate to...
Marvel's reluctance to loosen the purse strings on occassion or to negotiate reasonably when it comes to the crunch.
I don't mean this disrespectfully or mean to offend Marvel and their good work. I'm still loving every minute of what they are putting out but what we were promised in the begining has started to dwindle, on occassion, as time has passed. For instance, Terrence Howard moving on. Edward Norton (my favourite Marvel casting decision so far) leaving the Hulk franchise. Favreau moving on from completing Iron Man's epic journey to facing, hopefully, The Mandarin in the third installment.
I know the blame cannot be put solely on Marvel. They shouldn't be held to ransom by any actor when they are the employer. But with almost all that they do resulting in mass profit I would assume they were able to keep whoever they wished for on board. I, at first, was skeptical of them handing over joint responsibility to Disney. In time I have come to see that they need another market savey titan to aid in allowing them to hold down any ground they wish to cover when it comes to the big market and the big screen.
It is possible to keep the same feel running through each character on screen but that translation becomes either different or diluted with every directural, productional and actor change that occurs. I refuse to dismiss Ruffolo for stepping into the Hulk hotseat. I welcome whatever he brings to the plate. But it doesn't smokescreen the fact that IF Marvel really wanted to keep Norton in the picture they could and would have. It is the same as Favreau moving on from Iron Man. Two outstanding outings produced and directed by Jon was surely proof enough that he was what was needed to remain to keep this run successful. Terrence Howard was, maybe, not as much an integral part of Iron Man. Cheadle did a better job in the part. But then that begs the question that they must have seen something in him in the first place to cast him. And that is the worry, for me, for future outings throughout this cinematic universe.
If this plan is to work and continue, as they mean to go on, then should Marvel loosen the purse strings and keep hold of what has been a flawless start in my opinion. Should they continue to play hardball, for the sake of profit, and risk undoing an outstanding ideal. Or should they give in to what we have all longed for, as comic fans, and give us the perfect continuity within a Marvel movie world?
That's what I hope for. It's what a majority can only hope for. And hopefully, even more so, it's what Marvel will continue to strive for....at the right price no doubt.