10 Biggest Parts Of The Marvel Movie Formula (That Will Destroy The Series)

10. Death Fake-Out

The temporary nature of comic book deaths has long been mocked by fans, but after decades of show-stopping events (the deaths of Superman and Captain America made the leap to be reported in mainstream media) they've become part of the fabric of the superhero genre in print. Unless you're Uncle Ben odds are death is just a few months holiday. On the medium of film, however, it doesn't really work. Just like hokey dialogue stands out more when transferred to the big screen (see Sin City, where it's noticeable but just about works), death fake-outs quickly become irritating. Joss Whedon, a fan of bumping off beloved characters, brought back Agent Coulson after stabbing him through the heart in The Avengers, Loki was resurrected in a shock twist at the end of both Thor films and, most egregious of all, Nick Fury somehow fakes his death in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, dominating a good chunk of the run-time but adding little to the plot. As Samuel L. Jackson had another three movies on his contract it was pretty obvious he was safe. All it really does is highlight the invulnerability of these characters. Of course Tony Stark isn't going to die, but it'd be nice to get caught up in everything and in the moment think he could. When Marvel do kill someone (our money's on Steve Rogers in Captain America 3) expect a good period of audience uncertainty as to whether he's actually gone for good.