The Marvel Cinematic Universe must be careful not to make the same damaging error that shook the very core of Marvel Comics.
One of the main reasons Marvel fans are eagerly anticipating the Deadpool & Wolverine movie is the chance to witness Hugh Jackman reprise his role as Wolverine once again.
Despite Jackman’s character being killed off in the 2017 film Logan, many never thought they would see him reprise the role of the booze-soaked claw man. However, the studio made the decision to bring him back in order to successfully sell the multiversal arc they have been trying to launch since Doctor Strange.
Despite the excitement surrounding the return of a beloved character, the MCU may face similar problems as Marvel Comics when it comes to bringing back deceased heroes, potentially causing difficulties for future projects.
If the dead always come back, no one will weep for the fallen
In the world of comic books, it is almost expected for superheroes to meet their demise, as it is as common as days ending with the letter ‘y.’
Despite the shocking and often graphic nature of some character deaths in comic books, most readers have come to expect the demise of their favorite heroes.
This is a major factor in why death is not as impactful in comics, and it is exacerbated by the fact that heroes often return to life at a later point.
A prime example of this phenomenon took place at DC Comics when they published ‘The Death of Superman,’ a three-part story that began in December 1992 and concluded in October 1993.
The storyline centers around Superman’s death at the hands of Doomsday during a pivotal battle. This was a significant event for comic book enthusiasts, as the seemingly invincible Man of Steel was no longer portrayed as an indestructible figure by DC Comics.
In 1992, ‘The Death of Superman’ was the most popular comic book, selling over six million copies.
Despite DC Comics’ bold attempt to eliminate their most beloved and iconic character, Superman’s demise was short-lived. He was revived in the final installment of the trilogy, called ‘Reign of the Supermen.’
Marvel Comics has also experimented with this style of storytelling, specifically with Captain America. The leader of the Avengers has perished and been resurrected on a total of nine occasions since the release of Avengers #177 in 1978.
Due to the unpredictable nature of death in comics, many readers have grown cynical towards the concept, causing some of these deaths to lose their impact as writers often backtrack on them.
Marvel Studios may face a major issue if they choose to emulate their source material, due to the lack of interest in comic book characters.
Let the Past Die: Kill It If You Have To
Regrettably, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently considering the possibility of resurrecting deceased characters. In an interview, Studio president Kevin Feige openly discussed how Jackman’s potential return could spark the return of some original Avengers.
When asked about the potential return of Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) and Chris Evans (Captain America), Feige stated to Variety, “That’s the challenge, isn’t it? How do you bring them back in a way that honors what has already been established? We’ve been working on that for over two years now with Wolverine. As for the future, we’ll have to wait and see.”
The significance of Downey and Evans’ contributions to the MCU cannot be overstated, as they are integral founding members of the beloved universe we know today.
Despite the suggestion to bring them back, it would be disrespectful to the decade-long story that Feige and Marvel Studios have been building since 2008.
Iron Man and Captain America were both portrayed as significant figures in the MCU, having endured harrowing and transformative events that shaped them into the individuals we witness in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
The studio’s ability to pull it off seamlessly almost appears impossible.
Therefore, what would be Feige’s motive behind destroying it by exhuming their tombs and including them in a bizarre multiverse film?
The main motivation appears to be money, but it also appears to stem from the desire to tap into nostalgia and draw back fans who may have lost interest in the universe after the release of Endgame.
However, it is not advisable for Marvel Studios to cater to fans in this manner as Downey and Evans will eventually retire from their roles as these characters.
Instead of resorting to Frankenstein-esque methods to bring back Cap and Iron Man, Marvel could instead focus on the future and utilize the characters introduced after Endgame and in Phase 5.
If Feige and Marvel Studios continue to bring back deceased characters, they may eventually develop a fan base similar to that of Marvel Comics. However, this would mean that future projects would lack the high stakes of life and death.
Be sure to read our review of Deadpool & Wolverine before its release in theaters. Also, check out our list of the greatest superhero films ever made and our analysis of the antagonists in Deadpool & Wolverine to get ready for the movie.
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