The Universal Question - Shared or Separate Continuity

[jmc]

This is a debate question I've been thinking about for a while and came about due to a discussion in the Avengers thread - the merits of an attached universe for a series of superhero films over a superhero film that stands in it's own playground. On one hand you've got every comic nerds dream of a live action series of films that connect to each other to some degree, on the other hand you've got a film that's without the constraints of having to comply to an existing tone and feel. What's the better option from a film perspective? DC fans look on with envious eyes but really doesn't Nolan's Batman series show what happens when the evolution of the story is not force? Conversely Marvel folks would you be willing to forgo the MCU if it meant the quality of the solo films had been better? Doesn't a shared universe mean having to make sacrifices in story, tone and style in order to have consistency? I open the floor for people to share their thoughts on which they feel is better and why, I'm firmly in the separate continuity camp because I feel it suffocates films from reaching their full potential, but I'm interested to know how others feel.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Well, it definitely depends on the characters. For example, having Batman and Green Arrow exist in the same universe, is fairly simple. As would be Spider-man and Captain America. Both get their powers from science.

Some characters sharing universes is just strange, and wouldn't work well in live action. I think that's an issue for Justice League. For example, Batman (mundane), Superman (sci fi) and Wonder Woman (mythology) come from such different worlds.

Other times it just interferes with logic. Like X-Men and Spider-man existing in the same universe. Spider-man wouldn't be amazing if there are millions of mutants walking around.

I'm okay with some characters sharing continuities though. But it will require changes to make it work (like what they did to Thor).

 

[The Morningstar]

It's all about execution. I think both concepts can work.

I do think some of the Marvel movies have been limited because of the build up to Avengers. But i believe that once that first hurdle is out of the way, the next solo films will focus much more on the heroes individual stories.

For instance, we know Thor 2 is going to primarily take place in Asgard and the other realms. Also Iron Man 3 is going to be a "techno spy thriller" type thing.

I think the shared continuity isn't something just for fanboys. I think it does open up a lot of cool thematic elements. The clashes of individual "star" characters, for example. How do these individual stars work together and interact? The culture, philosophical and psychological clashes.

I'm also a fan of interconnecting story lines from different characters POVs. Even in the same movies, like for example Guy Ritchies early films Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.

Like say, there was a super spy movie with Bond, Bourne and Ethan Hunt teaming up. All different characters with different personalities and different methods, but ultimately working towards one goal; Saving the world.

I see some people scoff at what Marvel has done, calling it a gimmick. No, gimmicks do not have this much thought, passion and ambition. What Marvel has done by connecting all this stories up, forming one big story line, should be applauded. Yes there have been hiccups along the way. Yes there have been sacrifices. But like all big things that attempt to change the status quo, sacrifices are inevitable.

 

[metaphysician]

I think there is a related question, of how readily it can be done. On consideration, I don't think it'd be nearly as easy for DC to do what Marvel has done with the MCU. Their individual franchises are too distinct, not in history but in theme and tone. Whereas Marvel comics have had certain core shared concepts for a long time.

So the answer to the question is, "it depends."

 

[Thundercrack85]

It makes sense looking at the history though. Marvel's biggest franchises, the Hulk, Spider-man, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Iron Man were all the brainchild of one guy. Whereas most of DC's big franchises were developed separately.

 

[jmc]

There's also a question of longevity with the shared universe thing. After Avengers comes out this year it's kind of a case of 'well, now what?'. The term 'phase 2' has been thrown around but is phase 2 going to be nearly as affective as 'phase 1'? Is this next era of Marvels film just going to be a lead up to another Avengers film? At what point are we sacrificing solo films for the sake of the big team up movie at the end of each phase? I don't want to have to sit though 4-5 films each 'phase' that play it cautiously only to finally get something good at the end when they all come together.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Well, that's inevitably a problem. Actors age. Characters in comics rarely do. If it takes 2-3 years to make a movie, you'll run into that in a long running franchise.

There's also the fact that crazy stuff constantly happens in comics. In real life, a lot of that just wouldn't be believable.