Marvel ‘Failed To Ignite The World’ Says Shawn Levy

The blame game is once again being applied to the number of Marvel projects released for the failure of the past five years of the MCU.

Marvel hasn’t been the same since the release of Avengers: Endgame, and there might be an argument to make since the release of Infinity War.

Disney has confirmed The Marvels was a massive bust, the sequel to Captain Marvel, which lost the company more than $200 million, and the Disney+ TV side of things hasn’t been all that good as Marvel Studios has retooled its approach to television, which includes Daredevil: Born Again.

Now, is the reason the past five years of the MCU have failed because of the number of Marvel projects? Or is the blame on those creatives in charge? As I recently went over, following Endgame, Marvel lost Jon Favreau, Joss Whedon, James Gunn, and the Russo brothers – all big comic book fans – while Marvel execs now tell their creatives to not read comics. How’s that been working out?

“It’s been a rough time” 

Speaking with Empire, and echoing recent comments by Disney CEO Bob Iger, Marvel exec Louis D’Esposito at least admits, “It’s been a rough time,” 

“If we just stayed on top, that would have been the worst thing that could have happened to us,” D’Esposito told the outlet. “We took a little hit, we’re coming back strong.”

“We learned our lesson”

However, D’Esposito uses the excuse of the quantity of Marvel projects.

“Maybe when you do too much, you dilute yourself a little bit,” D’Esposito said. “We’re not going to do that anymore. We learned our lesson. Maybe two to three films a year and one or two shows, as opposed to doing four films and four shows.”

“Marvel movies have failed to ignite the world”

Deadpool & Wolverine is the only MCU release this year.

“It’s nice to be able to rally behind one feature project this year,” Feige told Empire. “I’m much more comfortable being the underdog. I prefer being able to surprise, and exceed expectations. So it does seem like the last year, which has not been ideal, has set us up well for that.”

As noted, the trailer and marketing teases Deadpool as “Marvel’s Jesus,” which obviously implies the MCU needs some big help.

“Some of the lines that Ryan and his writers and Shawn worked on have taken on more of a meaning,” conceded Feige.

Levy has also noticed problems at Marvel.

“You’d have to live under a rock not to know that the last few Marvel movies have failed to ignite the world in the way that so many did,” said Levy. “We do come along at an interesting time. And we are decidedly something different. Whether it is of Messianic proportions, time will tell.”

Thank Ryan Reynolds says Rob Liefeld

Regarding the creatives on Deadpool & Wolverine, according to Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld, we have Ryan Reynolds to thank.

“Deadpool & Wolverine is going to entertain your pants off. The X-factor of it all is Ryan Reynolds. Make no doubt about it. He recognizes the importance and caretaking of this pivotal role and this is why the film will be the success it is destined for. The irony that the MCU is now relying on Fox standouts is never lost on me,” he tweeted.

Liefeld added in another tweet, “This speaks to RR’s position as producer and writer as well as a star performer on this film, he crafted the entire project BTS. X-Factor.”

Ryan to the rescue! This movie reflects his unique input and POV. https://t.co/fSgHa8gCjQ

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) May 7, 2024

This speaks to RR’s position as producer and writer as well as a star performer on this film, he crafted the entire project BTS. X-Factor. https://t.co/YWXObuIZmU

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) May 6, 2024

Disney CEO Bob Iger also just said Marvel will only be releasing two to three movies max a year along with only two TV shows.

Deadpool & Wolverine gets released on Jul 26.