‘Avengers: Doomsday’ reeks of desperation
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is in dire straits—well, it has been for some time now. Ever since the successful conclusion of the “Infinity Saga” with “Avengers: Endgame,” Disney and Marvel have failed to replicate the same level of success of their earlier films, despite the availability of a clean slate.
To put it simply—barring the success of releases such as “Shang-Chi,” “No Way Home,” “Wakanda Forever,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”—the rest of Marvel post-Endgame simply weren’t enough to carry the franchise past the shadow left behind by Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr.
And to make things worse, Jonathan Majors, the heralded saving grace of the new-age MCU as its new big-bad Kang The Conqueror, was convicted of domestic violence, prompting Marvel Studios to fire him—and practically overhaul their entire plan for the MCU.
Backs against the wall, Marvel did what nobody ever expected: Bring back Robert Downey Jr., not as the iconic Tony Stark, but the brooding and ruthless Dr. Doom, the new big-bad to take over from Majors.
Since Downey’s reveal at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, little has been said about “Avengers: Doomsday,” which is set for release on Dec. 18, 2026. But following a string of teasers showing the return of Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth, and the introduction of the X-Men to the MCU with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden, it’s official: Marvel is here to play.
But while its teasers have undoubtedly generated hype and anticipation, how do you truly become excited about something so obviously desperate?
A trail of desperation
The “Avengers” movies have always been crossover events, separate paths and stories, converging unto a singular point for the time being.
Since the release of “Iron Man” in 2008 and “Captain America: The First Avenger” in 2011, Marvel has diligently set up the world our heroes find themselves in, while building their characters’ personalities and motivations. Across these films, not only do the stakes go higher, but little bits of what’s to come are sprinkled, giving audiences a sense of an even greater villain behind the one our heroes just defeated.
Barring a singular scene in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” little has been shown establishing Dr. Doom as the next big bad for the MCU. In fact, much of the MCU post-endgame has been characterized as directionless—all the more so when your only direction had to be overhauled after just two years in.
With “Avengers: Doomsday,” Marvel looks to be abandoning the art of storytelling and world-building, discarding the singular stories they’ve told in the past years, in exchange for stories we already know from heroes we grew up with.
And if a narrative kept together by duct tape and their writers’ hopes and dreams isn’t enough, they have just enough nostalgia to satisfy your everyday viewer.
The beginning of the end
Regardless of everything said, I’m still just as excited as the next person to watch “Avengers: Doomsday.” Who wouldn’t want Downey Jr. and Evans back in the MCU, after all?
But if anything, part of me had hoped for a proper passing of the torch, and the evolution of the MCU where a new age of heroes would protect and inspire as they stood on the shoulders of those who came before them.
However, with the success of films such as “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” it is clear that nostalgia is the greatest ticket-seller in today’s day and age. All it’s doing is encouraging an unsustainable hero ecosystem that relies on actors’ age and availability.
Forget original stories, keep Downey Jr. and Evans “on contract until they’re 90,” as Deadpool famously says. We’re still going to eat it up anyway.
