Gametraders Live September Magazine

Risks
Every now and then it proves it’s worth taking a risk. The biggest
example of this working for the MCU is absolutely The Guardians of the
Galaxy. Before the release of that film very few people knew or cared
about Star-Lord or Rocket or Groot. Marvel took a massive risk to bring
the movie about a talking Raccoon and his living tree pal to the big
screen. Yet the film was a huge success, spawned a sequel and the entire
cast appeared in Infinity War. I for one am still waiting for Tony Stark to
meet Rocket Racoon. Just... Imagine it. The series has also taken risks
on the TV front. Agent Carter was a modest hit despite only having two
seasons. A female led super-hero (sort of) TV show set in the fifties. It
was hard sell and ultimately the show didn’t get too far. Which is a damn
shame because it remains my favourite MCU TV show. Peggy Carter was
an amazing character and deserved more attention. But at least we can
say Marvel gave it a shot. Black Panther also a risk with an almost
entire African cast. It is sad to say that we live in a world where a film
having a predominately black cast is a risk, but the box office has
been dominated always by white casts. Then Black Panther came
along and showed us all how it’s done! The film made a huge one
point three billion dollars at the box office and has become a
a cultural phenomenon. The only shame out of all of the MCU’s risks,
is that it has taken so long to have a female led film, but with Captain
Marvel on the way next year, hopefully it will have been worth the wait.
Leadership
Every good ship needs a skilled captain. Marvel’s Kevin Feige the
president of Marvel Studios has proven to be the man for the job. Under
his watch the MCU has grown from strength to strength. He is the guy
we have to thank for assembling the MCU as it is today. He has had his
work cut out for him, but safe to say he has done a pretty good job.
Never before has something like the MCU been attempted. Multiple
films and TV shows all being apart of a shared universe with characters
jumping between films and story arcs that have spanned a decade. I
doubt we will ever see anything like it again. With hard work, dedication
and a rabid fan base I doubt it will be going anywhere soon. It surely is
a marvel to behold.
Written by Scott F. Sowter
Twitter: @ScottFSowter