Eleven years into their multi-billion dollar cinematic universe, and Marvel Studios has racked up quite a long list of achievements, both financially and story-wise. It goes without saying that producing the highest grossing movie of all time is quite the accomplishment, but one also has to praise the risks they’ve taken along the way, from basing an entire franchise on the back of a once-risky Robert Downey Jr. to trusting audiences would flock to theaters to see movies titled Doctor Strange and Ant-Man.
Yet, arguably, the House of Idea’s most impressive feat is taking a decades-old, overtly patriotic character like Captain America and successfully reintroducing him to a modern audience. As optimistic and earnest as he is grounded and tough, a live-action adaptation of Steve Rogers could’ve easily have swayed campy or authoritarian, yet Chris Evans and the MCU utilized his perfect balance of hopefulness and resolute strength.
In fact, according to Avengers: Endgame writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, Warner Bros. could learn a thing or two from their approach to the hero when it comes to adapting Superman:
“I certainly think Captain America shows that are certainly ways to do a really good Superman movie in this day. You don’t have to dirty him up, you don’t have to get rid of his earnestness. The Christopher Reeve Superman is one of my favorite movies and so, that’s one we certainly borrow from all the time.”
Like Cap, Superman isn’t exactly the type of superhero that modern audiences could easily accept, even though aspects of his persona are more relevant than ever. Decades of over-saturation have painted the character as a “big blue boy scout,” which Warner Bros. has attempted to move away from with Henry Cavill’s portrayal in the DCEU. While Cavill has his fans, his take on the character has shifted wildly between Man of Steel, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, often acting more moody than vibrant.
Markus and McFeely have been writing Cap since 2014’s The Winter Soldier, often cited as one of the MCU’s best films, centering Steve Rogers’ motivations on his higher principles. Yet, don’t expect the writers to tackle a Man of Steel sequel anytime soon. When pressed by Screen Rant on whether they’re up for penning a DC movie, Markus responded for the both of them:
“You know, it’s a short life.”
Tell us, would you like to see the writers of Avengers: Endgame take on Superman, or do you think DC is better off taking their own approach to their character? Let us know in the comments below!
