Marvel's Second Test To Invincibility Completed

A year ago, I wrote a post about Marve's Three Tests To Invincibility Status and Ant-Man was one of the three test subjects.

Disney's Marvel has started off with a great track record since Iron Man and has been on a roll. But around a year ago, there were three movies that were going to test Marvel's wisdom and strength in producing their movies.

First one came and went, and we all know how awesome and brilliant Guardians Of The Galaxy was. Marvel took one of their most unknown properties and turned it not only into a critical favourite but also turned Chris Pratt into an action superhero.

With this success, Marvel has transcend brand names, because they create brand names. That's more powerful than anything else.

Second test just came and went. So far, critics are loving it and dubbing it another success story by Marvel. Having lost Edgar Wright - who was the captain for the property for the past four years to creative differences - and just when production was around the corner, they boldly chose a director that no one would have pegged as a right fit.

It really was no one's fault when Wright decided to step away. He had a clear vision for the movie he wanted to make with Ant-Man, but ultimately it was Marvel's movie and they too realised that their vision from four years ago has evolved. They have a very clear understanding of how they want their movies to go and Wright, as brilliant a director as he is, would not have produce an Ant-Man movie that would fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to close off Phase 2.

I laud both parties for being able to have the courage to step away from what has been on the table for four years and stick with their vision.

Enters Peyton Reed, a director who has so far been known for his comedic movies only, and those were not even universally loved like Yes Man, The Break-Up and Down With Love. His only other movie that had some inkling of action was Bring It On.

But Marvel saw his potential in storytelling. More importantly, his potential in telling the story they wanted to tell. So Marvel has transcended directors. They just need a "soldier" (or soldiers in the case of the Russo Brothers who also came from similar modest background - TV series) that is able to bring their vision to life.

So, two down, one more to go.

Last one is Doctor Strange; although by now, Marvel already seems invincible. They have already won over the hearts and trust of fans all over the globe.

But just to see my diagnosis and inquisition through to the end, the last test will see if Marvel can transcend genres. From my understanding of what Marvel wants to do with Doctor Strange, it's going to have a horror-feel to it. Especially also when they have already attached a horror director to it, Scott Derrickson.

A horror genre will be one that is furthest away from what Marvel has produced so far. And horror movies are usually not easy to be universally loved. It's going to be very different from Iron Man, Guardians Of The Galaxy, or Ant-Man.

We'll find out next year, come 4 November 2016.