How the MCU Could Benefit from Adopting Star Wars’ Model of Non-Linear Releases
The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have faced an uneven start, but after it established itself as a prominent form of superhero storytelling, Marvel Studios was abundantly famous. A simple push toward creating a clear roadmap was the missing ingredient to launching a movie franchise that transcended past the point of any potential competition. As the MCU continues to evolve through transmedia entertainment, the methods of approaching such ambitious feats have warranted hesitation from those considering making the leap into the Marvel fandom. The double-digit-long collection of movie and TV show titles that continue to grow by the year has loomed as a hulking figure over upcoming releases, a consequence of its “it’s all connected” model as outlined by The Hollywood Reporter. Since the structure of the MCU was first implemented, the insistence on a timeline being direct, tracing one event to the next, has bound the entirety of the franchise together.
Star Wars was viewed as a groundbreaking entry into the science fiction genre upon its historic 1977 release. Interestingly enough, the saga found its starting point far from a traditional origin story, but looked into the future of the timeline before circling back to prequel events. The unique decision to begin the means of an influential franchise from its midpoint was a bold move on behalf of George Lucas, though the unorthodox approach would explain itself as each film rationed even more information about a galaxy far, far away. The non-linear relationship between Star Wars and its abundance of films left a trail of clues in each film without hurrying the excitement of the unknown. With a watch order that lists the “fourth” film to be watched first, the Star Wars franchise was able to pioneer a narrative model that paved the way for creative means of filmmaking. An overlap between those interested in Marvel Studios and Star Wars existed prior to the Walt Disney Company pulling their prominent distributors into their conglomerate. As the two veers closer to one another, Star Wars has the potential to influence how Marvel Studios and the MCU can reinvent how (and when) their stories are told. Indeed, here’s how the MCU could benefit from adopting Star Wars‘non-linear model of releases.
More Detail Can Be Given to Individual Stories Through Non-Linear Releases
Star Wars has approached complicated ideas through individual stories that understand isolated incidents. This approach recognizes that there are greater threats afoot, but takes the time to emphasize the importance of each. Star Wars has been able to give voices to unique, impactful, and thoughtfully crafted characters. Out-of-order release schedules are necessary for them to grow on screen. Marvel has crafted their fair share of solo films dedicated to origin stories, though has put more priority on its crossover events. Spending more time with key events and core characters in comparison to focusing on grand crossover events can assist in refining the tone of the MCU. These solo films seemingly fizzle into the background of the greater scheme of the universes and nearly lose their significance along the way. By following the example set by Star Warsthe MCU can balance the weight between crossover events and featured projects reserved for a singular event.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story spirit Solo: A Star Wars Story platformed more self-confined cinematic events while finding their way back to the rest of the franchise. The Mandalorian applied a similar perspective to itself, patiently timing when it was right to attach the series to the rest of the universe. These isolated examples were important on their own and honored the franchise without having to derail themselves by promoting other films or television. Marvel Studios has sampled similar concepts, but their desire to ensure that every entry is guaranteed to link back or look ahead has distracted fixed films from embracing the power of a one-off. Sparing time to make room for exploring specifics on a grander scale can bring back a sense of intimacy to Marvel Studios. Star Wars has achieved a sense of sentimentality because of its ability to anchor personal stories that have the power to resonate on an emotional level. The immense levels of attention given to singular titles allow a non-linear release practice to appreciate their importance of them. Marvel Studios can benefit from a comparable system that can reverse the current “superhero fatigue” of moviegoers.
The MCU Can Be Viewed as Less Intimidating
Marvel Studios has been adamant about their linear releases and have honored a consistency across their tiered phases. The MCU’s infinite roster of prerequisite watches may come across as daunting when asking even a casual audience to dive deep into the franchise’s lore. Star Wars‘bite-size portions across its trilogies would benefit the MCU as it eases the anxious minds of casual audiences. It presents these massive franchises as more appealing and digestible to all, in comparison to those who have dedicated their entire lives to following these releases religiously. The need for the MCU to follow the roadmap that it has proudly created for itself can be congratulated for its ambition, though can equally be viewed as tiresome when explaining the immense time commitment required in order to fully understand or appreciate the details in its repertoire.
Star Wars presents its own complex themes though eases understanding by employing a non-linear tactic. The sizable gaps between releases that do connect give enough time for audiences to thoroughly digest new information without feeling from limited time intervals. Star Wars remains to be a sizable property that is packed with complexities; the stretches of time between interconnected storylines do not promote the same sense of urgency that the Marvel Cinematic Universe does. An acknowledgment that Marvel Studios can create content that may feel out of order at the moment in exchange for being able to retain audience engagement can help Marvel Studios appear to be more fan-forward.
Time is Dedicated to Planning Ahead By Releasing Content Out Of Order
Both Star Wars and Marvel Studios have pinpointed means of success when creative teams are given the opportunity to understand where a story arc may take them, whether it be a movie trilogy, a TV series, or a stand-alone film. A non-linear release formula would allow the MCU to look ahead to their future while understanding that they are able to reconnect with their past and present work. Marvel Studios has introduced compelling storylines that they have forgotten to weave back into their overarching objective. In the instance where studios decide to abandon projects in development, non-linear releases are less likely to become affected. Situations that do call for some sort of consistency, such as the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, demonstrate how time allocated towards designating a complete portion of a saga should be used as thoroughly as possible. Unorganized release orders authorize studios to study responses from fan communities and apply that feedback to films or television in development. Responses to certain executive decisions assist in inspiring new series or cinematic installations. They also indicate when the timing is right to move on past a certain storyline, plot point, or character. Scrambling to meet deadlines due to release dates hovering far too close to one another has come at the expense of Marvel Studios’ reputation.
Star Wars has reached back into its vault of classic characters, though there was not a sense of urgency to return them to the center of the saga immediately. Time is permitted to pass between chapters of the space opera before Lucasfilm finds itself including keynote figures. Marvel Studios is actively evaluating which legacy characters remain or if there is a need for diversity. Scrambled films and television can estimate the screen-life of certain characters and the retention rate of target markets. Time allotted between release dates that do not directly connect one to another promises that there is time for studios to improve upon their craft. Star Wars and the MCU have both been able to draw allusions and inferences to their respected universes, though Star Wars‘less orderly timeline enhances their importance. The MCU has not permitted itself to allow references to marinate in its lore for long. Time allotted to planning for what non-linear releases may inspire and how they may change the trajectory of the cinematic universes; setting concepts or ideas in places where they may not pay off later is a risky consequence. The MCU can use Star War‘s model to its advantage when reviewing its past, present, and future.
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