10 Simple Ways To Build A Cinematic Universe
6. Don't Run It Into The Ground
Franchise fatigue presents a huge problem to movies attempting to exist in a shared universe, as multiple movies worth of backstory can't simply be discarded in the wake of commercial failure.
Marvel have avoided this pitfall despite upping their release schedule to three movies a year, as each of their standalone efforts are different enough from one another to avoid repetition despite many of them following the standard MCU formula. The real test will come when one or more of them tanks at the box office.
The Dark Universe is already on shaky ground, with The Mummy being saved from disaster by the international box office in the wake of scathing reviews. Not a good sign for a franchise that already has another seven movies in active development.
Wonder Woman restored some credibility to the DCEU after three hugely-divisive movies in a row, but the quality of Justice League will be a key factor in gauging audience interest in the studio's secondary characters with solo features for Aquaman, Shazam, Nightwing and Batgirl all in the pipeline.
Audiences may even grow tired of an annual Star Wars movie eventually, especially given the tales of behind-the-scenes issues on the two Anthology stories that have seen rumors of Kathleen Kennedy's definition of a 'Star Wars movie' taking precedence over the director's authority.
In short, quality is key. With the market for blockbusters more saturated than ever before, an established brand won't be enough to stop people losing interest if the movies simply aren't good enough.