Marvel Studios' recent presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, aimed at generating excitement for its upcoming slate of films, may not be having the intended effect, according to an analysis of available data. While announcements for new projects like an Avengers film subtitled 'Doomsday,' a 'Ghostrider' flick starring Ryan Gosling, and a third 'Black Panther' installment were made, early indicators suggest a waning fan appetite for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Following the Comic-Con panel in July 2022, where studio head Kevin Feige unveiled plans for the "Multiverse Saga," the initial fan reaction on social media has been described as "swift and brutal." Criticisms reportedly targeted various aspects, including the choice of director Shawn Levy for an additional Marvel project and Ryan Coogler's return to the MCU for his first film after 'Sinners.' Feige's assertion that 'Avengers: Doomsday' would succeed without extensive prior build-up, akin to Thanos, has also been met with widespread disagreement online.
Further analysis of streaming viewership on Disney Plus, as of July 27, indicates a lack of significant engagement with MCU content in the wake of these announcements. Third-party tracker FlixPatrol shows that popular films like 'Avatar,' 'Moana,' and 'Spider-Man' are dominating the charts. While 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Endgame' saw a minor presence at the bottom of the list, likely due to the Hall H fanfare, only 'Infinity War' made Disney's own top 10 ranking as the sole non-Spider-Man Marvel film.
The focus on 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' which was nearing its release at the time, explains some of the attention on that franchise. However, the minimal impact on viewership for films like 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' despite its connection to the multiverse concept central to 'Doomsday,' and a lack of increased interest in the 'Black Panther' films following news of a new Prince T'Challah project, suggests a broader disinterest.
While it is premature to definitively declare 'Avengers: Doomsday' or the MCU as a whole as 'doomed,' and future projects could potentially revitalize the franchise, the current data points to a challenge for Marvel. The lack of a significant boost in online goodwill or streaming viewership following major Comic-Con announcements suggests that simply offering "more Marvel" may not be enough to recapture the franchise's former widespread appeal.
