Dawn of Cinematic Universes
The Evolution of a New Genre
Ever since the first flickering images were projected onto a screen, the movie industry has continually evolved to capture the imaginations of audiences worldwide. From the rugged landscapes of the westerns, the boundless expanse of 70s sci-fi, the adrenaline-pumping action films of the 80s, the rise against establishment narratives of the 90s, to the dazzling blockbusters of the 2000s, each era has been defined by its own dominant genre.
The 2010s saw the superhero movie ascend to unprecedented heights of popularity, driven by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). As we journey into the 2020s, a new trend is surfacing — cinematic universes, regardless of the size or scope of the franchise.
The Rise of Cinematic Universes
Cinematic universes, or shared universes, are collections of interrelated stories that exist within the same continuity, allowing for crossover events and spin-offs. Think of the concept of cinematic universes as the most recent evolution of the movie industry.
Rather than producing standalone sequels, the focus is shifting toward ensuring sequels bridge into another franchise, creating seemingly random spin-offs to build up character bases. It might seem like overkill for characters that don’t necessarily warrant their own screen time. But when done right, this approach can greatly enhance a franchise by providing depth and context that elevate the overarching narrative.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, spearheaded by Disney’s Marvel Studios, has arguably mastered this formula. Every film and series in the MCU contributes to a larger, ongoing narrative. This interconnected storytelling approach has redefined what a franchise can be and how wide and deep it can reach in terms of storytelling scope [source].
The Struggle to Keep Pace: DCEU and Others
On the other end of the spectrum is the DCEU. While it has had its fair share of successes, the DCEU has often struggled to match the consistency and critical acclaim of the MCU [source].
The Star Wars universe, another Disney-owned franchise, can be seen as the fun cousin in this cinematic family. It has been expanding its own universe with spin-offs like “The Mandalorian” and “Rogue One,” with varying degrees of success [source].
And then, we have the unlikely universe builder — the Fast and the Furious franchise. While it may seem odd to group a series about fast cars and heists with superheroes and space operas, this franchise has successfully created its own universe with spin-offs like “Hobbs & Shaw.”
The Future of Cinematic Universes
Despite the risks associated with over-saturation and audience fatigue, the cinematic universe trend shows no signs of slowing down. It’s an exciting time for both creators and audiences as we navigate this relatively unexplored frontier of filmmaking.
The cinematic universe strategy is still in its infancy, and there’s a lot to learn from both the triumphs and the missteps of these early pioneers. As we move further into the 2020s, we’ll see whether this trend evolves into the new standard for the film industry or simply becomes another footnote in its rich history.
