Finally, Marvel is exciting again – but not because of RDJ’s return

It is common knowledge that Marvel has faced challenges in gaining the support of its skeptical fans for its recent movies. However, they seem to be making progress with one of their upcoming projects.

One of the most cherished memes from Arrested Development features a memorable scene. In it, Lucille Bluth pretends to be devoted to her children by stating, “I love all my children equally,”but the scene cuts to her earlier in the day when she had proclaimed, “I don’t care for Gob.”

Despite being one of the greatest editing gags of all time, it accurately reflects my feelings towards the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While I enjoy all types of movies, the MCU doesn’t particularly interest me. There was a time when I was a fan, but it feels like a distant memory now – almost as if I lived a completely different life where I spent my days frolicking through wheat fields after churning butter.

Despite having lost interest in superhero movies for years, there is one upcoming Marvel project that has reignited my enthusiasm. This project has managed to entice me back after my interest had been extinguished for so long, and it has nothing to do with the return of Robert Downey Jr.

First (and fantastic) loves

Loving a superhero movie is comparable to falling in love in real life. The object of your affection is not something you can choose, and you will always remember them. However, this can also be a burden, as your first love in the world of superhero films becomes the standard for all others, and they often fall short.

Regrettably, my initial and preferred superhero film is undeniably terrible. It happened to be the 2005 release of Fantastic Four. However, at the age of 10, I was young enough to appreciate things that were considered “bad”and not yet mature enough to recognize the concept of something being “bad.”And while Fantastic Four may not be great, it still doesn’t compare to the abysmal 2015 version.

Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Chiklis, and Jessica Alba as Reed, Ben, and Sue in Fantastic Four (2005) — 20th Century Fox

I absolutely loved the chaotic CGI effects. I couldn’t help but laugh at the exaggerated and obvious slapstick humor. I was even a fan of Jessica Alba’s nonsensical decision to dye her hair bright blonde.

Thanks to Fantastic Four igniting the flame (flame on!) of my passion for superhero films, I discovered a newfound interest in what would eventually become Hollywood’s most influential genre. Throughout the years, I continued to watch these movies, all sparked by my enjoyment of one particular mid-2005 release.

The Breakup

Regrettably, that excitement was not meant to last forever. I was completely captivated during the Infinity Saga and even attended early screenings of Infinity War and Endgame.

I have attended one of the many Megachurch services commonly found in the United States, where attendees passionately cry out and preach to the skies. Interestingly, I found that watching Infinity War in a packed theater was comparable in terms of the crowd’s enthusiasm. To test this, one could read someone both a Bible story and the plot summary of Infinity War from Wikipedia, and ask them which made them feel closer to God.

The portal scene in Avengers: Endgame — Marvel/Disney

After Endgame was released, I found myself losing interest. It felt like a conclusion, at least in my perspective. As I watched subsequent Marvel movies in the following years, I couldn’t shake off the overwhelming sense of cynicism. Everything felt calculated and lacking in sincerity. Instead of enhancing my viewing experience, it only made it harder for me to anticipate future releases.

Despite the loud cheers from Hall H, Robert Downey Jr’s return to Marvel does not elicit excitement. I am disappointed by this decision and it feels like a betrayal, especially considering the reported value of over $80 million dollars.

Are we (dare I say it) back together?

As a result, the Downey-Doom reveal is not sufficient to draw me back in. However, the new Fantastic Four movie has caught my attention. The possibility of the new Doom appearing in FF is insignificant to me at best and could even be a hindrance.

As I scrolled through X the morning after the RDJ announcement, I read the words without any kind of reaction. I only paused to rub the sleep from my eyes.

Upon learning that Michael Giacchino had been selected as the composer for The Fantastic Four: First Step, I immediately got up and went to the next room to share the exciting news with my roommates.

Artwork of the new Fantastic Four Marvel movie — Marvel/Disney

Despite being convinced of the new Fantastic Four movie (I have always been a fan, remember?), my excitement reached new heights when I came across videos of the elusive SDCC test footage circulating on social media. The retro-futuristic style and playful aesthetic glimpsed in the footage were reminiscent of something Marvel hasn’t been able to achieve since 2019 – it truly ignited my enthusiasm.

Despite not being a masterpiece, 2005’s Fantastic Four was highly entertaining for a ten-year-old. In order to maintain my interest, Marvel must continue to captivate me, as well as many others, in the same way that I was enthralled when I first watched Chris Evans dramatically remove his outer layer to reveal the infamous spandex suit, all while nearly setting himself on fire while riding a motorcycle.

Feeling joyful and also a bit overwhelmed, with a sense that something spectacular is yet to come.