How Marvel Can Improve Its Cinematic And Television Output

Omar Yusuf

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Revitalizing Storytelling

The heart of any successful franchise lies in its storytelling. Recent MCU and Marvel Television projects, while visually stunning, have sometimes fallen into predictable patterns. To recapture audiences, a bold shift is required.

Breaking Free from the Formula

Many recent Marvel entries feel overly reliant on a specific formula: a quippy protagonist, a predictable villain arc, and a large-scale CGI battle as the climax. This predictability breeds fatigue. To combat this, Marvel needs to embrace more diverse genres and narrative structures.

• Examples of Successful Deviations: While many MCU films follow a similar structure, Black Panther successfully incorporated elements of Afrofuturism and political commentary, creating a unique cinematic experience. WandaVision, on Marvel Television, experimented with sitcom tropes and explored grief in a compelling way.
• Suggestions for New Genres: Integrating genres like horror (a cosmic horror storyline featuring the Elder Gods could be chilling), neo-noir (a detective story set in a gritty corner of the MCU), or even musical elements could inject fresh energy into the narratives.
• The Importance of Character-Driven Narratives: While action sequences are important, focusing on character development and emotionally resonant stories will create more lasting impact. Stronger character motivations, internal conflicts, and realistic growth arcs are crucial.

Elevating Character Development

A recurring weakness in recent MCU projects is underdeveloped characters. Many feel two-dimensional, lacking complex motivations and believable arcs.

• Examples of Poorly Developed Characters: Some supporting characters in recent films have felt underutilized, lacking sufficient screen time to develop genuine depth.
• Suggestions for Improving Character Arcs: Give characters compelling flaws, internal struggles, and opportunities for significant growth throughout the narrative. Explore their backstories, relationships, and moral complexities.
• Emphasizing Emotional Depth and Relatable Struggles: Connect with audiences on an emotional level by exploring relatable themes like loss, betrayal, and self-discovery. This emotional resonance will foster a deeper connection with the characters and their journeys.

Strengthening World-Building

The MCU's vast scope is one of its greatest assets, yet this potential remains largely untapped. There's room for significant expansion and improvement in world-building.

Expanding the MCU's Cosmic Scale

The cosmic side of the MCU, while hinted at, remains relatively unexplored. This offers a massive opportunity for new storylines and character introductions.

• Suggestions for New Cosmic Storylines: Explore the unexplored regions of space, introducing new alien civilizations, cosmic threats, and powerful cosmic entities.
• Ideas for Lesser-Known Characters to Be Explored: Characters like Adam Warlock, Beta Ray Bill, and the Silver Surfer have immense potential to drive compelling narratives within the cosmic realm.
• The Potential for More Interconnected Narratives: Weaving cosmic storylines more tightly into the Earth-based narratives can create a more cohesive and expansive universe.

Enhanced Consistency Across Media

Inconsistencies between MCU films and Disney+ series undermine the overall narrative cohesion. Greater collaboration is essential.

• Examples of Inconsistencies: Differing character portrayals, contradictory plot points, and a lack of thematic synergy between films and series detract from the overall viewing experience.
• Suggestions for Improving Communication Between Film and TV Teams: Establish a central creative team to oversee the overall narrative direction, ensuring consistency across all platforms.
• Importance of a Unified Vision: A singular vision for the MCU, encompassing both film and television, is crucial for maintaining a unified and satisfying narrative experience.

Improving Production and Pacing

Production quality and pacing are crucial elements influencing audience engagement. Recent MCU projects have demonstrated inconsistencies in both areas.

Addressing Pacing Issues

Some MCU projects suffer from rushed plotlines or overly slow pacing, hindering audience immersion.

• Examples of Pacing Issues: Certain scenes feel underdeveloped, while others rush through crucial plot developments, leaving viewers feeling disengaged.
• Suggestions for Improving Pacing: Prioritize effective scene construction and editing to maintain a consistent and engaging narrative rhythm.
• Importance of Effective Scene Construction and Editing: Well-paced storytelling requires a balance between exposition, character development, and action sequences.

Enhancing Visual Effects and CGI

While CGI is essential, overuse or inconsistent quality detracts from the overall visual experience.

• Examples of Poorly Executed CGI: In certain instances, CGI effects have felt jarring or unconvincing, pulling viewers out of the narrative.
• Suggestions for Improving Visual Effects: Prioritize practical effects whenever possible, utilizing CGI judiciously to enhance rather than overwhelm the visual storytelling.
• Importance of a Cohesive Visual Style: Maintaining a consistent and cohesive visual style across all projects will create a more immersive and satisfying viewing experience.

Conclusion

To maintain its position as a leading entertainment powerhouse, Marvel must address the criticisms leveled at its recent output. Revitalizing storytelling through genre diversification and deeper character development, strengthening world-building through cosmic expansion and cross-media consistency, and improving production by optimizing pacing and CGI are key steps toward a more engaging and satisfying MCU and Marvel Television experience.

How do you think Marvel can improve its cinematic and television output? Let's discuss how we can see a revitalized Marvel Cinematic Universe! Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media using #MCU #Marvel #MarvelStudios #DisneyPlus.