The Marvel Universe

It’s crazy how successful a franchise can become in such a short period of time. Ever since the early 2000s Marvel has had its foot in the door of the cinema.  Marvel was a comic book producer whose work took on a life of its own and now its various “super heroes” are household names.  It isn’t a case of one or two characters, but many of the characters who are legends on the silver screen.

These super heroes became so famous that film studios argue over copyright on different super hero characters all the time. Sony now owns the rights to Spider Man, but the original trilogy of films in the 2000s were licensed to Tristar. Sony bought the rights to the stories and rebooted the series – but at a tremendous price tag. Specific scenarios belong to certain companies, such as Fox owning X-Men.  Paramount/Universal studios produced The Avengers franchise which is considered one of the highest grossing film franchises of all time given the multitude of characters and reboots around. In 2012, given the success of the series, it was purchased by the Walt Disney Studio group and now is considered a “Disney” product, even though it is still produced in the Marvel facility.

   

What is really cool is that the trilogies that they want to do are all tied in to fit with the Avengers storyline. For instance, they intend on producing another two Avengers films for the trilogy. During this same period (the two years it takes to make another film) expect Captain America to make a third entry and Thor will be releasing its third movie too. In 2015 Ant Man and Age of Ultron will be released. The franchise just keeps on churning out more stories.  Nothing ever gets old because each hero is taking part in its own trilogy in its own storyline.

 

COMIC ORIGINS: In the early sixties Stan Lee and Jack Kirby began creating many, many super hero characters.  These characters would become favourites. Iron Man and Thor eventually had their own comic series which would later be adapted for film. This is the same for so many others.

ON SCREEN: Spider Man is a Marvel hero – and as such there have been numerous films starring him.  Thor, X-Men and Iron Man are also Marvel heroes.  The Hulk, Captain America and the Avengers are even more characters – and Fantastic Four are yet more heroes! Recently Guardians of the Galaxy has been released - and they too, are Marvel heroes.

  

THE WHY: The heroes of the Marvel Comic franchise have one thing in common, they are innocent.  They are on the side of good. They all have alternate personas.  For me, this is appealing.  The idea that an ordinary person could be another person is somewhat unique and I like that theory.  I don’t have access to the original comics, so I am commenting on my knowledge from the movies and graphic novels – but from what I do know, I like.

CASTING: What ensures the success of all the modern Marvel films is that they use big name actors for their roles. Hugh Jackman, Martin Sheen, Cliff Robertson are all well-known actors in the Marvel universe. In 2011, Kenneth Branagh brought Thor to the silver screen, using Anthony Hopkins as Thor’s father Rene Russo as his mother and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, the romantic interest. Robert Downey Jr. is Iron Man and Samuel L. Jackson is Nick Fury who also adds to a long line of stars that bring the Marvel characters to life. However, Spider Man is the exception to the rule, as whenever Spider Man is cast, the studio likes to showcase new talent - but he is supported by name characters.

ACCESSORIES AND TOYS: This is another huge area.  There are graphic novels and movies, toys and games and they all sport the Marvel logo.  There were comics which were published in the 60s, and these comics were plentiful.  They aren’t readily available now but we have a good amount of other things, including books, etc. which fill the space.  How many?  It’s hard to say, but needless to mention, they make a lot of money for the franchise. There are now Lego Marvel characters and Marvel video games too – a true sign of success.  And I haven’t touched on the various different sized and shaped action figures, poseable, large, talking or just soft toys – you name it and you’ll find it.

Overall, I think the idea of Super Heroes is a great concept and although I never really grew up with Marvel I am highly impressed with the franchise.  And from the movie stand point I actually enjoy them and I feel they’ve done a great job making it family friendly. They have made it interesting for both adults, and youth alike.  From a modern standpoint I believe that the Marvel and Avengers franchise is stepping up their game to beat DC Comics who bring Superman and Batman to the screen.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Personally I have enjoyed all the different Super Hero stories I have seen.  They are very well done and very family friendly, with as mentioned before – a moral to the story. I believe the next generation of children will grow up with a nostalgia related to this scene.  In closing, I would say I have a fond spot for the Fantastic Four and the Rock Man character (and this has nothing to do with the Never ending Story – a franchise I will not be discussing!).