MarvelBlog News for November 5th, 2023

by David Mumpower · Published November 5, 2023 · Updated November 2, 2023

This week, Daredevil started over again, Kevin Feige explained 15-year-old frustrations, and Loki upped the ante while promising more.

We’ll travel across three generations of Marvel movies in this week’s MarvelBlog News.

The Before Times

Source: Marvel Studios

Just to be cheeky, let’s start with a story that’s more than 15 years old.

Remember when Iron Man came out in 2008? Everyone marveled that Jon Favreau had told a cohesive story that set the table for a larger universe.

Soon afterward, Captain America and Thor joined the fold, as did Hawkeye and Black Widow.

Source: Marvel Studios

We suddenly saw the core of The Avengers, and it only took a handful of movies to get there.

Apparently, that deft display of integrated storytelling came from the school of hard knocks.

Marvel leader Kevin Feige performed an interview the other day wherein he recounted his frustrations with the pre-MCU era.

Photo: Marvel

Remember that Disney didn’t always own Marvel. Even now, Disney doesn’t make every Marvel-related movie, either.

Since the 1990s, other film studios have created Marvel content, and much of it has alienated Feige.

From the beginning, Feige has watched in horror as outside entities lacking familiarity with Marvel characters have created these films.

Photo: Marvel

When Marvel faced bankruptcy during the 1990s, executives foolishly sold production rights to several Marvel projects.

At the time, Marvel was so desperate for money that it didn’t worry about the future.

We’re still paying that price now with each Morbius that comes out. It never should have been Morbin’ time. And Feige knows why.

Source: Sony/ Marvel

Marvel’s head explains the reason. “We didn’t have control. I hated that.”

Feige adds that he suggested ideas to filmmakers at Fox, “but they didn’t listen.” Ouch.

Source: Fox/ Marvel

Apparently, everyone was so interested in making their own comic book movie that none of them wanted to listen to the guy who knows comic book movies the best.

Not coincidentally, most X-Men movies are terrible, and some Spider-Man titles are lacking as well.

The Now Times

Behold the faces of evil in Loki season two. Yes, they're both hiding malice behind their cuteness.

Image: Marvel

By this point, I’m presuming that you’ve watched Loki season two, episode five. MarvelBlog will post a recap soon, but let’s skip to what matters.

After episode four, the fate of everyone hung in the balance as the entire Sacred Timeline appeared to collapse.

The Citadel at the End of Time has seen better days in Loki season two.

Image: Marvel

Then, Loki produced this trailer for the final two episodes of Loki season two:

The new footage in this clip reassured everyone that the Time Variance Authority hadn’t died, at least not permanently.

Miss Minutes and Ravonna Renslayer talk about secrets in Loki season two.

Image: Marvel

Instead, Loki and his allies appeared to escape their fate somehow and gained an opportunity to work together to reset the proper course of events.

I won’t spoil episode five just in case you haven’t watched – shame on you! – but let’s go ahead and tease what’s about to happen.

Marvel producers are downright giddy about what’s about to go down in the season finale. Here’s a quote:

Ravonna Renslayer prepares to prune in Loki season two episode three.

Image: Marvel

“I genuinely think 5 and 6 are maybe the two best episodes of this series.

“They’re beautiful and they’re profound. They’re deeply moving. And we only get to go there because of that story acceleration.”

Also, the showrunners are hinting that the final shot of season two will be something dramatic for the entire MCU.

The Chicago World's Fair set is rather impressive in Loki season two episode three.

Image: Marvel

I don’t think I’m spoiling anything to say that it likely connects to upcoming MCU stories, ones we may see in The Marvels and Deadpool 3.

In fact, I’m kinda counting down the moments for Marvel to reveal the plot of Deadpool 3, which gives away what’s happening in the MCU now.

Mobius and Loki leave Ravonna to die in Loki season two episode three.

Image: Marvel

Let’s just say that it’s all connected and that the TVA will discover a new purpose by the end of season two…or during an upcoming film appearance.

By the way, Loki executive producer Kevin Wright’s star is ascending within Marvel. He’s someone to watch.

The Future Times

Source: Marvel/ Marvel Studios

Everything old is new again at Marvel. I said that back when Disney+ announced the impending return of Daredevil as a television series.

Now, I can say it again because Disney nuked the old Daredevil: Born Again from orbit and started from scratch.

This time, Marvel has learned from past mistakes and chosen proven entities for the project.

Source: Marvel Studios

Dario Scardapane, most recently of Amazon’s Jack Ryan, will join the project as its showrunner.

As a reminder, Disney has switched up the methodology for its Marvel series on Disney+.

Historically, everything was standalone. Moving forward, showrunners will tie together all events of the series as long as it’s airing new content.

Source: Marvel Studios

So, Scardapane is effectively Mr. Daredevil now, Matt Murdock notwithstanding.

Marvel has provided Scardapane with two accomplished Marvel directors as well.

Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead will direct new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again.

Source: Marvel Studios

Their names probably sound familiar, and they should. The directing duo previously worked on Moon Knight.

More recently, they directed The Heart of the TVA for Loki season two. Yes, that’s the fourth episode from last week, the one that reset the playing field.

So, you already know these gentlemen are good. Of course, that’s the immediate criticism as well.

Source: Marvel Studios

Marvel has chosen three similar filmmakers for the project, which probably makes it a bit more formulaic than other recent, more diverse projects.

Then again, some fans probably like that. All I know is that all three of them have worked on good Marvel projects, as Scardapone previously wrote for Netflix’s The Punisher.

Marvel projects need stability right now. Too much has gone wrong recently. And Daredevil was in danger of failing before Marvel made this change.

Marvel Miscellany

Carol Danvers pilots a spaceship in The Marvels

Image: Marvel

By the time you read next week’s update, two things might have happened.

You probably watched the Loki season two finale, and you may have seen The Marvels as well.

While we don’t know the critic’s scores yet due to a moratorium on early reviews, the film’s tracking isn’t where Marvel would like it.

Source: Marvel

So, we’re witnessing a marketing push during the final few days. Here’s a new teaser:

The Marvels is already earning headlines for the wrong reasons, albeit ones outside its control.

Captain Marvel looks determined in The Marvels trailer

Image: Marvel

Much like what happened with China during 2021 and 2022, theaters in India have started strategically locking out Hollywood releases.

The Marvels won’t play on any IMAX screens in India, as local Bollywood productions will gain those as well. And yes, that’ll hurt the global box office.

I don’t think this factor should prove significant, but every little bit counts with critics ready to assail the project.

Carol Danvers finds herself in Kamala Khan's living room in The Marvels

Image: Marvel

They already weren’t letting facts stand in their way, but a disappointing box office result will trigger another wave of “What’s wrong with Marvel?” stories.

Finally, in news that’s sure to thrill you, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now streaming on Netflix. Go nuts, y’all!