Just a few days ago, we got Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and next week, we'll see the final episode of Ms. We are supposed to get She-Hulk in August, followed by Black Panther 2 in November, a Halloween special, and a holiday special for theGuardians of theGalaxy. Spider-Man: No Way Home will return to theaters in September because it feels like it needs more money. It can be hard to believe that it is already the end of June in the year 2022.
Covid-19 may be the reason for this. A new slate of Phase 4 content was announced by the studio after the success of the movie. Many of the things that were announced at Comic-Con were suddenly stopped in their tracks after the Pandemic hit. Things were so bad that the various films and shows that were planned for that year got kicked to 2021. This wouldn't last since WandaVision began aggressive output from Marvel Studios just a few weeks into the 21st century. For the last two years, we have been pulled from grounded stories between vets having to reckon with the aftermath of theInfinity Saga to newcomers suddenly promoted from being billed as special guest stars to recurring cast members as the MCU builds up to its next mega-crossover.
It was hard not to agree with the social media snarking about how great it was to have a full year without the MCU. Several movies in the first half of Phase Two felt like an event. The time between one film and another felt long enough to come up for air and allow you to do some light speculation. The majesty that the MCU insists to you that it is has been lost with each installments having only a few weeks between them. The franchise is starting to feel like an obligation similar to doing your taxes or taking the trash out, and that is not in a position that any intellectual property should be in.
It is showing in the MCU itself. It has been reported that Ms. Marvel has had the lowest ratings of any of the series. It would have been nice if the show had some time to breathe after it was released on the same day. The show has been enjoyable and has succeeded in making Iman Vellani into a real star who will carry The Marvels when that releases next year. There was a month between Moon Knight's finale in May and She-Hulk's last episode in July. If the MCU had a little more time like this between releases, we would have ourselves a sweet spot, but these feel more like accidental oversights.
At this point, what can be done to improve the situation? Since the franchise won't let itself take a break, the only other option would be a failure that would convince the studio to slow down. It's easy to wonder if it's afraid of being forgotten in an age where the biggest insult of an intellectual property is to be ignored. Since it will outlive us all, the idea of Marvel Studios being worried about its place in history is ridiculous. It needs to take better care of itself before it is doomed to die. Like its many movies and shows, burnout comes for us all, and it's best to identify it now before you sit in your room and wonder why you can't make anything happen
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