Could The MCU Ever Be Rebooted?
Image Source: Fiction Horizon
Throughout movie history, there has scarcely been a franchise as expansive or imaginative as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The MCU currently spans over 38 entries across live-action, animated films, and television series, with many more projects announced every year. The exponential growth of the MCU raises a question about the future of the franchise. Could the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever be rebooted?
In Hollywood, a reboot generally refers to remaking an older film with new actors, modernized scripts, and better technology. It might seem crazy to consider redoing the movies of characters who are loved by the audience because of the actors who originated them and have only come out recently. Robert Downey Jr’s triumphant return to film in Iron Man, which became so instantly successful he himself has become synonymous with Tony Stark, premiered less than 15 years ago. Why would we possibly need a new version?
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There is a reason, however, that an MCU reboot might hold some appeal (well, two reasons, if you count the absolutely absurd amount of money these movies could rake in). The fact is that the MCU is becoming increasingly less accessible to new viewers. With the Multiverse Saga spanning storylines and characters all the way back to Phase 1, new MCU fans have to watch 30 movies and 8 television series to catch up, and that only includes series that are Disney+ originals. Not to mention the rapid release of new material—nine new Marvel projects debuted last year alone. With a reboot, new fans may not be scared away by the sheer volume of content they missed.
The nature of the MCU allows for two avenues for a reboot: remaking the backstories of familiar characters in our world or re-introducing old characters by exploring their variants within the Multiverse. The Multiverse element might be a more organic reintroduction for some fallen heroes to reappear, and many fans have come to expect cameos in MCU projects. This could be a way forward for the MCU. However, the question is, should it be?
Image Source: GamesRadar
Perhaps a more important consideration for the future of the MCU is this. What makes a compelling story? A now-beloved character or storyline was once brand new. Something else other than familiarity drew audiences in when Iron Man debuted in 2008. Is a reboot really the only way to keep an audience’s attention, or should the focus instead be on telling new stories?
Going back and redoing the origins of a familiar character in another universe might have a nostalgic appeal, but introducing an entirely new set of characters may prove to be more effective when it comes to keeping the MCU fresh. This approach worked with the fan favorite Shang-Chi, and new, young superhero characters like America Chavez and Ms. Marvel serve to breathe new life into the franchise. Rather than looking back, why not look forward?
Maybe the key to demystifying the MCU for new viewers is not to reboot, but to tell stories that rely less on the dozens of films that came before it. Moon Knight was refreshing in its existence outside of the larger tale of the MCU. Future stories could focus inward rather than relying on references and Easter eggs. New fans can be drawn in by new stories, not just reiterations of old ones.
Image Source: IGN
So, could the MCU ever be rebooted? Sure. Anything could happen for a profit. But a far more compelling idea, for old and new fans alike, is to see just how far and wide the story could expand. We have already passed infinity. Instead of going back, we should travel onward.
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