Marvel’s Fantastic Four Flop Proves Even X-Men Can’t Save the MCU Anymore

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The initial release of “Fantastic Four: First Steps” was intended to signal a daring new chapter. Regrettably, it appears as though Marvel Studios has veered off course – not just once, but multiple times – and even more concerningly, seems to have alienated its original fanbase. A time when Marvel was synonymous with blockbuster excellence now feels distant, as the brand seems to be operating on fumes of nostalgia and ideology, rather than delivering on quality or compelling narratives.

At one point, Marvel symbolized quality. People flocked to cinemas for unfamiliar characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man, not just because these were their characters, but because the Marvel label represented a guarantee: “You’re in for something great.

But that promise has been broken, and now no franchise, no matter how iconic, can fix the damage.

The downturn of the studio is no longer a puzzle; it started with an intentional ideological change under Kevin Feige and Victoria Alonso’s leadership, moving away from focusing on character and story to emphasizing progressive themes and narratives centered around identity. This approach led to films like “The Eternals” flopping at the box office and “The Marvels” becoming Marvel’s poorest-performing film ever. Regrettably, it seems the studio hasn’t taken these lessons to heart.

The movie “Fantastic Four: First Steps” clearly demonstrates that Marvel continues to resist change. The film is heavily influenced by contemporary political themes, as characters are redefined using popular activist terminology. Instead of the charismatic hothead fans adored, Johnny Storm has been given a new interpretation with the actor debating whether his “womanizing, carefree” persona still holds appeal in today’s society.

Sue Storm, a skilled peace negotiator, is expecting a child. The film’s director has praised her as an exceptionally empathetic individual, key in fostering worldwide disarmament. This isn’t character growth; it’s more like a motivational speech.

The concern isn’t just that characters are developing; it’s the motivation behind their evolution. Instead of organic emotional or story development, Marvel is revising its heroes to align with a specific message. This transformation isn’t driven by what maintains the Fantastic Four’s appeal. Rather, it caters to the studio’s focus on progressive branding.

Even though “Daredevil: Born Again” – a follow-up to one of Marvel’s cherished series – is struggling. It retains the exterior of what fans adored, yet lacks the essence. The appeal, the toughness, the richness – all missing. It seems as if Marvel believes that attaching familiar titles to lifeless storylines will regain fans’ affection. However, this approach fails to deliver.

Marvel has a substantial investment riding on the X-Men, yet this doesn’t ensure success. Success will hinge solely on casting and whether Marvel decides to abandon the “girl power” narrative it has emphasized since Captain Marvel. Even in that case, it might be too late as goodwill among fans has diminished. Nowadays, Marvel no longer enjoys the assumption of excellence from fans. A time when people believed Marvel could elevate lesser-known properties is long past. Today, even iconic comic book characters such as The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men struggle to make an impact.

Indeed, Spider-Man has the potential to continue earning revenue. However, it’s important to clarify that it’s Sony, not Disney, who holds the reins when it comes to Spider-Man. While Marvel Studios is enjoying the victories, they are not the ones receiving the payments.

Currently, the question isn’t if Marvel can produce a quality film, but rather if audiences still have an interest. The impact has been made, the audience has shifted focus, and without a significant creative transformation, it seems unlikely that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) can regain its former glory.

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2025-04-17 19:55