7 Ways Marvel Has Learned From Its Mistakes

The MCU would not have made it through ten years if every film followed the typical superhero format: set in a city, an orphan boy develops superpowers and overcomes his demons to mature into a hero, beating a villain with the same powers as him. Newest instalments are beginning to deviate from 'the Marvel formula' and explore different genres.

Some of Marvel’s biggest hits have explored genres not typically associated with superheroes: Guardians Of The Galaxy was a sci-fi comedy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier was an espionage film and Ant-Man was a heist film. The superhero side of each film adds a unique spin whilst keeping it fresh enough to attract a wide audience.

Without this variation, the Marvel bubble would burst surprisingly quickly. The studio has embraced the quirkiness of the comics, which also span several genres. Critics of the interconnected universe overlook the genre diversity of each instalment, and the general trend is that each film is becoming more unique and developing their own unique styles.

Marvel still make traditional superhero story arcs, with the most recent solo film Black Panther covering the typical arc of finding one's identity, but in the context and setting of the colourful and advanced Wakanda with its own vibrant culture. Viewers don't come just to see the title character, but the world they live in also. Embracing the peculiar worlds of each character has helped the MCU find its foothold in the blockbuster industry.