One of the more disappointing aspects of the Disney+ MCU shows is that none of them have yet to see an impact on the other. Disney has taken a very tepid approach toward the MCU. It almost feels like they see certain characters as their A-list and the only way the characters get to move upward into projects involving those characters is if their projects take off in popularity as well. With the exception of stories being told using some of the supporting characters from the films, hardly any of our new characters have had anything at all to do with the main MCU.
I’m honestly not fully sure why Disney has taken this approach. It’s possible that they see the main roster as their source of money and they don’t want to dilute that with lesser characters, but that’s what makes the comics so great. At any given moment in the comics, any character could play a role in the larger picture. It also allows for “lesser” characters to take on greater meaning and roles. That’s how we got House of M in the comics.
At some point in the near future, these characters are going to have to be fully integrated into a world that functions as a whole rather than one existing entirely separate from one another until a major film comes along. Marvel fans gave them about 15 years of projects existing largely apart from one another and now it’s time to reward their patience with a fully integrated world. Not only would it improve the product as a whole, but it could honestly give other actors and actresses a chance to stand out among a cast of stars.
It’s all good and well that Marvel wants to keep things separate and give fans a reason to come out to the larger events but at the same time, one of the things that makes the comics so special is that we see these characters doing things and interacting with each other all the time, in big and small ways. Sometimes they’re on a mission with just the two of them like a recent comic with Wolverine and Felicia Hardy. Other times, they have tremendous events like Secret Wars or somewhat smaller events featuring a smaller roster of various characters.
It’s entirely likely the reason we have yet to see this is we have yet to get to the second versions of the characters that will fulfill those roles within that character’s shoes. Confused? Let me explain a little. Chris Evans played Captain America and that character was completely kept to the films. As far as we know, he will never be seen in anything other than the films in which he starred. But the second version of the character played by Anthony Mackie will float between the comics and the films.
One would have to imagine that Ironheart will fulfill this same role for Iron Man. Haley Atwell could also fill in for Anthony Mackie as Captain Carter in a different universe’s film covering similar events. We could see Natalie Portman take over playing Thor in TV and film. We also have Kamala Khan that can play a version of Ms. Marvel that floats between TV and film. Basically it seems like Marvel took film stars to get these names off the ground, but now their primary roles will be filled by characters who float between the films and TV. That is my honest best guest as to why we haven’t seen more interplay between the characters.
So here’s to hoping the future phases involve a little more depth and storytelling that features more characters in every story. It’s cool to have had the universe we have had for the last 14 years, but if they want it to continue for the next 15 years, they’re going to have to step it up and make it even better than we could have ever imagined. That’s what Disney lives for, right? That’s their thing? So, let’s see it, House of Mouse. Give us the goods!
