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Summary
The upcoming X-Men project within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is poised to adopt a team-centric approach, unlike the earlier missteps seen with DC’s Justice League. Marvel has the flexibility to explore individual character narratives following a team debut, as the X-Men’s dynamics facilitate this evolution.
Warner Bros.’s approach to Justice League serves as a cautionary tale that Marvel Studios can learn from as it prepares to reboot the iconic X-Men franchise. The gradual introduction of mutant characters into the MCU hints at a more comprehensive plan, with numerous possibilities for storytelling as the Multiverse Saga unfolds.
The DCEU’s Justice League Was Rushed By Warner Bros
A Team Movie Before Each DC Hero Had Their Own Solo Feature
One of the key criticisms of the 2017 Justice League was the decision to expedite its production without allowing key characters the benefit of individual story arcs. At the onset, only Henry Cavill’s Superman had starred in a standalone film with Man of Steel in 2013. Following this, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice featured several characters who would make their appearances in Justice League, including Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman and introducing Ezra Miller’s Flash, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, and Ray Fisher’s Cyborg.
While Wonder Woman received her own solo film prior to Justice League, the expectation was that other characters would be expanded upon in their own narratives after the team-up. Unfortunately, the film’s underwhelming reception led to a significant re-evaluation of these plans.
The fallout saw Wonder Woman 1984 enter development with less enthusiasm, and the standalone films for Aquaman, Batman, and Cyborg never materialized as intended. Even The Flash faced extensive delays before its eventual release in 2023, coinciding with the dismantling of the DCEU in favor of new directions under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Marvel Could Succeed With The X-Men Where DC’s Justice League Failed
Marvel Can Decide Who Needs A Solo Movie After
Despite the setbacks faced by the DCEU, the potential exists for Marvel Studios to succeed where DC faltered by implementing a similar team-focused strategy for the X-Men. The X-Men have always been depicted as a cohesive unit in the comics, which seamlessly allows for their interaction within a shared narrative framework. This feature could greatly assist Marvel in integrating mutant characters within the larger MCU landscape.
By initiating with a full X-Men ensemble film, Marvel could effectively launch a new chapter in mutant storytelling. Following this debut, the studios could analyze which characters resonate most with audiences and are best suited for deeper explorations in future films. Unlike the Justice League, not every member of the X-Men is required to have their own dedicated feature film, focusing more on a collective presence, which alleviates the pressure for subsequent projects.
The X-Men Were A Team First (That’s Why It Can Work)
The Justice League Isn’t As Tightly Connected
Certain mutants naturally flourish in a team environment, emphasizing their interdependencies. However, characters like Wolverine, Gambit, Nightcrawler, and Storm could effectively hold individual stories within the MCU framework. This approach allows Marvel to gauge the dynamics of the team and adjust their storytelling strategies before committing to solo projects. In contrast to the rushed atmosphere that surrounded DC’s attempts at a superhero ensemble, Marvel’s deliberate strategy places them in a much better position to avoid similar pitfalls, capitalizing on the rich heritage of the X-Men as a foundational team within its universe.
Source
screenrant.com