The Superman Effect
One thing that the MCU has been reluctant about doing is confirming the definitive plans of Phase 4 of its film slate. It makes sense, though, with many contracts still being up in the air and no one knowing who’ll be back for more movies. Two films that they have confirmed though are the sequels to Spider-Man: Homecoming and Black Panther. If you saw the events of Avengers: Infinity War, you’ll understand how this is a problem.
In terms of T’Challa’s next story, the sequel is a few years away. Still, anyone with two brain cells will know there’s no way that Marvel will kill off its latest breakout star now. This is definitely one of the deaths that won’t stick, despite Kevin Feige’s insistence that the deaths in the movie are permanent. Yeah, right…
Warner Brothers’ DCEU got pummeled by the media for killing off Superman in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, but everyone knew he’d be back in Justice League. Marvel has the same problem with Spider-Man now, but will the studio be called out for it as well?
Spidey’s film arrives on July 5, 2019, while Avengers 4 is scheduled for May 3, 2019. Considering marketing for these movies starts about six months before release, this creates a problem: How do you promote a solo film when the superhero is supposedly dead?
Of course, Spider-Man and Black Panther aren’t actually gone for good, because money is greater than any narrative device. This storyline decision, though, was poorly thought out since most fans would be clued-up about the forthcoming movies. So that special teary-eyed moment between Peter Parker and Tony Stark? It lost all of its impact because we know it wasn’t really the end of the road for the Web-Slinger.