Yes, this. I clearly remember Sebastian Stan signing a multi-project contract for First Avenger, and he wasn't even one of the lead characters. They want to secure continuity if they decide to proceed with a certain character.
Yeah iirc he signed a 9 picture contract.
These kind of contracts existed since X3 days.
deadline.com
Absolutely, a nice five-year break (maybe more?) after Secret Wars to figure out exactly where to go from now on and what's the actual audience's expectations are regarding the superhero genre, to avoid the post-Endgame disaster.
The whole genre should take a break to be honest.
Yeah, that ain't gonna happen.
www.superherohype.com
Marvel Roles Aren't as Attractive to Actors as They Used to Be - Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News - SuperHeroHype
A new report shows Marvel roles are less appealing to actors now than during the Infinity Saga, with interest dropping since Endgame.
True. He might not be an A-lister but I was pretty angry that they got rid of Ben Mendelsohn in Secret Invasion in such a forgettable fashion.
Actually, that isn't at all why. The reason is because Marvel Movie = Merchandies/Licensing Opportunity. No movies for 5 years, that's 5 years of lower revenue from merch deals, licensing, theme park traffic, etc. That's where the profit on these is really made. Not on the movies them selves. The movies are what fees the rest of the ecosystem of revenue. That's why Marvel won't just take a 5 year break
Then what's the hold-up on Star Wars films? It's been a bleak six years since the last one. All the merchandising opportunities lost...
Star Wars is always putting content out. Theatrically, no. But they have had at least 1 D+ show annually. Usually multiple. So they've had plenty.
The mere fact they've cancelled films, for whatever reason, only helps my point. If merch opportunities was the prime driver they would have found a way to pump something out in 6 years. If the film is not good and you are getting diminishing returns on your IP, surely the merch sales will reflect that also. No, they are clearly taking their time to get the films back on track first.
If you go to the store, there are Star Wars characters on Coke cans and merch all over the place for the various D+ shows when they debut. They 100% do drive merch and such, or at least create licensing deals. Disney has thus found a way to pump out lots of Star Wars in the last 6 years. We also have a Mando movie coming next year, stemming from those D+ shows.
I disagree with two shows. None of the Mcu shows really felt like an event and minimizing it to one (5 shows in 5 years rather than 10 shows or seasons in 5 years), would help. Less is more considering people aren't eating them like hot pancakes.
2 movies 1 show 1 special would be sweet.
The shows don't need to be events though. That's part of what the issue has been with them. You can easily do 2 shows in a year. Just let them be shows, which I think they're now closer to doing. Reduce the budget and scope, but have better storylines and make them more episodic like TV
So what happens when the ecosystem doesn't flow like it used to? If the stories you are creating turn away a section of the fanbase and the IP is not getting the returns it once did over multiple projects? Do the licensing fees, merch sales, and park attendance numbers not diminish? A much less bountiful ecosystem is still better then taking time to get a solid plan and getting it right? Everything flows downstream from the stories, if the merch is for a divisive project or a terrible film, than ultimately it's not good for anyone long term and the chickens will always come home to roost.
