Why Is The Marvel Cinematic Universe The Only One That Works?

Summary

This week's Heat Vision Breakdown explores the complex task of creating a cinematic universe, using Pacific Rim Uprising as a case study. It discusses the challenges studios face in launching shared film universes, including pitfalls like relying too much on sequels and not creating compelling standalone films. The video compares failed attempts, such as DC's Justice League and Universal's Dark Universe, and highlights the need for strong characters and proper world-building. Despite mixed reviews, Pacific Rim Uprising shows potential for expanding its franchise, though the road to a successful cinematic universe is still tricky.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cinematic universes are difficult to create, and studios can't just expect to replicate Marvel's success. It's a challenging process.
• 😀 A good cinematic universe starts with creating strong, standalone films that resonate with audiences, not just setting up sequels.
• 😀 Announcing a slate of movies years in advance without audience feedback is a risky move for any studio trying to build a universe.
• 😀 A successful cinematic universe requires more than just name recognition; it needs compelling characters and stories that keep audiences engaged.
• 😀 The failure of DC’s Justice League and Universal’s Dark Universe show that big budgets and star power alone don’t guarantee success.
• 😀 Even long-standing franchises like Transformers face criticism, but their continued box office success highlights the importance of maintaining a fanbase.
• 😀 Legendary Entertainment’s success with Godzilla, King Kong, and Jurassic World shows they have experience in franchise building, but challenges remain.
• 😀 Pacific Rim, despite a solid overseas performance, struggles to create breakout characters that audiences want to see more of, hindering its potential for a lasting cinematic universe.
• 😀 Pacific Rim's director Steven S. DeKnight has ambitious plans for expanding the universe with a third film and possibly an animated series, but the franchise needs to prove itself first.
• 😀 Building a cinematic universe is not just about fighting monsters or space battles—it's about creating a universe that audiences care about and want to explore further.
• 😀 The overall lesson is that cinematic universes are hard to pull off unless you have a carefully planned, audience-driven approach—Marvel's success is the exception, not the rule.

Q & A

What is the main challenge in creating a cinematic universe?

The main challenge in creating a cinematic universe is the difficulty of crafting a successful and sustainable franchise, especially when trying to expand a shared universe beyond a single successful film.

What are some key steps to launching a successful cinematic universe?

To launch a successful cinematic universe, studios need to focus on making good standalone films that resonate with audiences, avoid announcing too many sequels in advance, and ensure that the movies people actually want to see are part of the universe.

Why shouldn't a film only exist to set up sequels in a cinematic universe?

A film should not exist solely to set up sequels because this approach can make the film feel less engaging and more like a vehicle for future installments, which can alienate audiences and hurt the film's ability to stand on its own.

What mistake did DC Studios make with their cinematic universe?

DC Studios made the mistake of rushing to set up their cinematic universe with films like 'Batman V Superman' and 'Suicide Squad', which led to audience fatigue and misfires. This eventually resulted in their 'Justice League' film underperforming at the box office.

Why did Universal's Dark Universe fail to take off?

Universal's Dark Universe failed to gain momentum due to the poor reception of 'The Mummy' film starring Tom Cruise. This setback caused the studio to scrap its plans for future films in the universe, leaving only a disappointing image of what could have been.

What challenges did the Transformers franchise face despite its success?

While the Transformers franchise has made a lot of money, it has faced criticism for its later entries, particularly the ones starring Mark Wahlberg. These films grossed the least in the series, showing that even successful franchises are not immune to audience backlash.

What is Legendary Entertainment planning with their monster movies?

Legendary Entertainment is planning a cinematic universe featuring monsters like Godzilla and King Kong, with 'Godzilla vs. Kong' set for release in 2020. Additionally, they are focusing on expanding their Jurassic World franchise.

What role does Pacific Rim play in Legendary's cinematic universe plans?

Pacific Rim is a part of Legendary's broader plan to create a shared universe, with comic books helping to expand the story. 'Pacific Rim Uprising' hints at future installments, and director Steven S. DeKnight has expressed interest in exploring further through both films and animated series.

How did 'Pacific Rim' perform at the box office, and what are its future prospects?

The original 'Pacific Rim' did not perform strongly in the U.S. box office, but it found significant success overseas, particularly in China. Despite mixed reviews for its sequel, 'Pacific Rim Uprising', there are still opportunities for future installments, possibly even expanding into space-related storylines.

What makes Marvel's approach to cinematic universes so successful?

Marvel's success in creating a cinematic universe can be attributed to its careful planning, the ability to deliver both standalone films and interconnected stories, and a focus on audience engagement. Kevin Feige's leadership and consistency have been key to Marvel's dominance in this area.