The Pros and Cons of a Cinematic Universe

Hollywood is never short of following the mode monkey see monkey do. It's no surprise after the huge success from Marvel/Disney cinematic universe everyone else would follow. These days in Hollywood the focus is no longer about a stand alone film. It's not about a basic trilogy with three films and done. Today is all about expansion; connecting the dots and keeping the story going. This works well in a genre like a comic book films. It's great that Marvel, DC, Valiant, and Dark Horse are getting their just due in film world. These great comic book companies have endless of amount of material and stories to share with the world. We're in the golden age of comic book films at this point in time. Two years from now we're getting a Justice League movie. I never thought in my wildest dreams this would happen.

As much as I love the cinematic universe for my comic book films. I'm starting to see other genres take notice and trying to create cinematic universes, crossovers for films that don't need it. There were rumors of two Ghostbusters movies: one with the all female cast and one with all male cast and they will share the same universe. You can argue for plot it makes sense that the Ghostbusters expanded their business. However, do the Ghostbusters need their own cinematic universe? Did Paranormal Activity need the Marked Ones and try to connect it to the original? There are pros and cons for the cinematic universe and I'm going to share with you my take on it.

Pros of The Cinematic Universe

1. Crossovers: One of the great things that we get from a cinematic universe is crossovers that we only dreamed about. Marvel and DC are putting all their heroes on the big screen together. We've seen The Avengers, and soon we will see the Justice League. The fact that Batman and Superman are coming together is a big deal. It's something most of us thought would never happen. For my Otakus think what would happen if Jump did a cinematic universe. Imagine the possibility of Luffy, Goku, Naruto and Yusuke all in one movie. It will be the most epic thing for us. Crossovers mean interaction, big stories, epic battles, and hilarious moments you wouldn't get in a stand alone. Instead of Easter eggs, or a small cameo we have characters together for a whole two hours.

2. A Universe Is Much Bigger Than A Trilogy

From a business standpoint and longevity standpoint, a universe is infinite. In a cinematic universe there is no end game. New characters can be introduced, new situations, new location and more. A trilogy is one complete story and it's over. There is no revisiting the world again, there is no next chapter for the series. A successful universe is a money train that keeps ranking in the cash. If you need a proper example see below the map of Marvel's Cinematic Universe for the next couple of years.

As you can see Marvel has everything mapped out and plan from TV series to movies all the way to 2019. From a business stand point if each film at least gross worldwide 400 million and cost was around 150 million Marvel and Disney have some decent returns. Notice in Marvel Phase 3 the only two heroes returning in stand alone films are Captain America and Thor. Iron Man 4 is not happening as of right now. Marvel is keeping the universe alive and fresh by introducing new characters like Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Inhumans, and Black Panther. This gives audiences a break from Iron Man, Thor and Capt. With infinite stories and possibilities a cinematic universe is more open to crossovers and bigger chances for constant money returns.

3. Beneficial For Everyone

One thing I'm loving about the cinematic universe is that talented actors, directors, screenwriters are getting a chance to shine. Anthony Mackie is really making a name for himself now after Winter Solider. His role of Falcon is becoming one of my favorites and I would love to see a stand alone film for his character. Robert Downey Jr. resurrected his career thanks to Iron Man. Henry Cavill received a huge leading man status off of Man of Steel. Now he is leading roles like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Chris Evans made his directorial debut based off the money he made working as Captain America. If used right everyone wins in the cinematic universe. Actors of course get paid and get exposure for other projects. Directors and screenwriters get more work from the studios on other projects. The studios make their money and we the viewers have a great time watching the finished product.

The cinematic universe opens infinite ways on how to approach a franchise now. It's enables crossovers, big box office returns, epic battles, endless storylines and for us a a good time. However what comes good also comes with some bad and it's time to list the cons of the cinematic universe.

Cons of The Cinematic Universe

1. Story Limitations & Barriers

One major con of the cinematic universe is the story limitations and barriers within that universe. Everything story wise has to connect or reference to the overall big picture. This leaves some movies feeling more like a  set up film than feeling like a meaningful plot device for the big picture. If your story is not connected into the overall plot of the universe then it doesn't make the cut. This limitation can be hurtful because you can miss out on key characters, key story-lines, or overall great ideas because it doesn't connect or reference your universe. This is a major problem Marvel is having right now. They're having a hard time keeping directors or writers because of the barrier. Everything has to connect, this film is a set up film while this film is more important this one. If you take away creative freedom from an artist that artist is not going to want to do it. Edgar Wright left Ant-Man due to creative differences. He had his vision and Marvel had theirs and at the end the studios wins. If Ant-Man was just a trilogy without any universe tie in I bet Edgar Wright could do what he wanted. A cinematic universe can suffer greatly when you have to worry about how to connect and co-exist with another film. It's like five authors, five editors and five proofreaders are trying to write one book. While in a trilogy it's one story, one author, no worry about expansion just a self contain area and you work in that area. 

2. Quantity over Quality

I will be the first to say I'm happy with that we are getting all these films from Marvel and DC. However to be honest I'm a man that likes quality over quantity. The cinematic universe seems to be more quantity over quality. If we only got one Marvel and DC movie a year I wouldn't complain. At least that tells me that the studio is taking their time with each solo project and move. We're getting a lot of superhero movies next year from different universes. We got Deadpool and X-Men Apocalypse for the X-Men Universe by Fox. We got Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad from DC Universe by Warner Bros. Finally Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange from Marvel Universe by Disney. That is a total six superhero films next year alone. That is a flooded market of heroes next year. It's possible that all these films will be a knockout. But when sequels are being announced before you even see how your film is received you're caring about quantity more than quality. If it took three years for another Marvel film I wouldn't be mad. I want the best product out there. Take your time there is no rush. You don't always have to strike when the iron is hot.  There is a flaw with overexposure and flooding the market. People get use to the formula and eventually get bored. Everything comes full circle and the age of comic book films will be at an end soon. I believe that quantity over quality will be one of the shots that kills it.

3. The Studio System

This one is not really related to us the viewer but for the people in the industry. One thing the cinematic universe does to an actor, director or writer is lock you down. Some of these contracts resemble the old studio system. The old studio system  is where an actor, director signed for a certain amount of films with a studio. Then that studio has the power to tell the actor or director he or she has to do a certain film regardless. The actor can't say no because they signed the contract and are now obligated to that ink. Sebastain Stan who plays Winter Solider signed a 9 picture deal with Marvel. We don't know what's in his contract, but 9 pictures is a very long time in the movie world. Hugo Weaving signed a contract with the studio and voiced his pleasure not to return. However if they need Red Skull, they can force him because he signed a contract.  This contract can affect you doing other projects, time off to reset the mind and more. It can become a career killer as well leaving some people pigeonhole in a role or genre. Many studios are following suit by locking down their talent to multi picture deals. While the exposure, money and pay off might be beneficial the end game can be a risk on artistic freedom and control. 

One thing is for sure that the cinematic universe will be here at least till 2020. However will the pros outweigh the cons? Or will the cons outweigh the pros? As a film buff I'm excited to see how this new vehicle rides out.