While Marvel fans would not mind seeing more of their favourite superheroes, will their experience be able to match the level of Phase 3 of MCU?
Marvel Cinematic Universe is spreading its tentacles all over the world. With Marvel Avengers Phase 4 and in a bid to be bigger than ever, the studio is releasing five of its ten projects on the upcoming streaming service, Disney Plus. While the third phase of MCU was a major hit and broke massive records, will phase four be able to live up to the expectations set out for it?
The limited world of Avengers Phase 4 on Disney Plus
Disney Plus is trying to make all the bang before its launch on 12 November 2019 in the US, Canada and Netherlands. In fact, if anything failed to attract viewers before its massive release, the D23 Expo surely made some announcements that raised many hopes. Disney Plus hit the nostalgic nerve while announcing the release of some of the most famous 90s shows (with new light). Basking in all the glory, can Disney Plus really live up to true Marvel fans while becoming a part of Phase 4 with on-screen Avengers?
Well, there are many factors that will limit entertainment (according to popular opinion.) One major factor is that with Disney Plus you would not be able to share your password with anyone. So, if you were planning to find what Marvel’s “What If” is all about, you would have to spend some money to find out. (No sharing allowed!) Though it is not clear how Disney will achieve this, but this is among the unique un-selling propositions about the platform.
Limited superpowers in comparison to Netflix & Co.?
While the idea of so many Marvel series sounds overwhelming, they will not be universal. In the upcoming years, 2020 and 2021, fans can expect to see half of Marvel studios’ projects on the big screen with Phase 4. These Avengers Phase 4 projects would be much more easily available to everyone as compared to the many layers of protection to entertainment that the Disney Plus world is trying to forge.
It is all in the name of preventing piracy. However, this might come to haunt Disney as fans and consumers really don’t care about curbing piracy. On the contrary, millions find it the only source to avail entertainment through Avengers Phase 4 on Disney Plus.
The not-so-inevitable future of MCU
The Marvel superheroes are being toggled between many hands. We saw big MCU projects leave the world in awe with phase three. While the movies take a massive amount of investment, they have much less freedom to explore as the cast and crew are ruled by a board of directors. On the other hand, a standard MCU movie budget could fuel many low budget ones. These would have much more artistic freedom.
With the Disney plus series and their many episodes (thanks to Avengers in Marvel phase 4), the standard storylines would explore much more than a two-hour film. So, ultimately the world would end up with hours and hours of Marvel superheroes footage. But it is terrible news for die-hard fans and for the MCU too. There would come a time when we would be watching an ‘Episode 50: Loki’. Now that sounds grim and tiring!
The Marketing Paradigm
Have you had a good look at the Marvel Phase 4 timeline chart that is roping out many projects to Disney Plus? It tells a story that many might have missed. It seems, Disney Plus has put down all arms and is completely depending upon Marvel Cinematic Universe to give it a good launch. Before going forward, take a look at the movies and series that are going on floors.
Loki and Thor, the two brothers, are split by the size of the screen. Without doubt, the two are connected. So if one is to watch ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ (the MCU movie), that person will also be bound to watch ‘Loki’ (the Disney Plus series with a very bad taste in fonts). And vice-versa. But that is not the only connection. Can you spot others?
Faking Consent?
The next in the list of this marketing paradigm are Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (MCU) and Wanda Vision (Disney Plus). In fact, even ‘Hawkeye’ (coming to Disney Plus) is related to ‘Black Widow’ (MCU).
This raises the question: Is Disney Plus trying to force Marvel fans into buying subscriptions with the help of Avengers in Phase 4?
(Even without any major superheroes or super villains)
This might be the deciding factor that will lead to the downfall of Marvel phase 4, all thanks to Disney Plus.
Where there is money there is will
There is a new member in MCU town. After ‘Avengers: Endgame’ became the highest grossing movie, MCU has turned its attention to Asia. Why? Because out of all the money Marvel Cinematic Universe made from the record-breaking movie, 69.3% came from outside North America! In fact, Forbes says, ‘Avengers: End Game’ topped ‘Avatar’ thanks to China, not America; as most of the earning came from there.
Act 4, Scene 3
Enters: ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.’
It seems like a well-thought act in a play to extract as much money as MCU and Disney Plus can from Marvel Phase 4 with help from Avengers.
Splitting opinions
Some fans believe that Disney ruined Star Wars. Will Marvel Phase 4 have the same fate with Disney Plus?
Other fans believe that Star Wars was ruined even before Disney came into picture. To summarize, the world is split over the discussion. (What side are you on?) So, not all are of the opinion that Disney Plus would ruin the MCU experience with Marvel Avengers Phase 4. It would be bringing forth a lot more to the Marvel Universe. Who knows, maybe they do more justice to the comics than MCU ever did! But we cannot say anything for sure until we really indulge in the experience. What we can do is wait, buy individual subscriptions and hope it is all worth our money and time.
