The Flickering Myth team react to the news that Marvel Studios is heading for a Civil War…
Well, this was some pretty big news for the Marvel Universe. After a few teases of Robert Downey Jr. suiting up for Iron Man 4, it was announced yesterday (by Variety, not Marvel) that Downey Jr. had signed on to feature in Captain America 3, which will adapt the Civil War storyline.
Pretty big news, but what did the Flickering Myth writing and editorial staff think?
WARNING: The below conversation contains spoilers of the Civil War comic storyline, which may more may not contain spoilers for Captain America 3.
Ben Rayner: I personally think its a bad idea, it’ll end up being quite watered down and brief I would imagine, especially considering the X-men, Spider-Man and Fantastic 4 all play a big part in the comics…
Sam Thorne: I think it’ll be a huge, abominable f**k up, it simply won’t work. There’s too much content they’d need to cut that is essential to the story and will just become a horrible, diluted mess.
Luke Owen: I think Disney have enough characters to make it work, especially if they bring up the TV series characters too. I mean, this was all set up at the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier with Sharon Carter, Bucky finding out who he is, and Frank Grillo surviving to become Crossbones. It’s really exciting! Also gives them a good way of getting Chris Evans out of the suit once his contract expires (which I think is after Avengers 3?). Time for Bucky or Falcon to step up to the plate?
Sam Thorne: I don’t think it’s a question of how many characters they have, it’s just a question of which, and how it’ll translate to the screen. I just don’t see it working.
Matt Spencer-Skeen: Its such a huge storyline there’s been clamour for it for ages. If it keeps Robert Downey Jr. around for a few more films in a smaller role, it’ll be a coup for Marvel. It does raise more questions though, like Thanks becoming sidelined? I guess we’ll know more after the 2015 comic comes out. Just looking forward to how it plays out.
Gary Collinson: I think the opposite, if they’re going to spread it out over several movies there is huge potential. Yes, certain characters are missing, but they can work around that (although none of them seem to have secret identities, so they might have to alter the storyline). Interesting if / how the TV shows will play into this. I am assuming that Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist won’t all get underway before Captain America 3, so will they take place within Civil War? Before it?
Matt Spencer-Skeen: Also how many of the characters actually have some kind of secret identity? After The Avengers they’re all famous! That’s my biggest concern, that they’re shoving in a storyline that doesn’t apply, unless they change the context.
Luke Owen: The best way to look at it is to not compare it to the comics, or expect it to be the same. This is the movie version of Civil War, taking the basic principles but adapting it to their Universe. Spread over a couple of movies, this could be great.
David Fleming: I think it’s awesome. I think they have plenty of talented writers who can bend the story to work with the characters they have, and the Russo’s did an amazing job on Captain America: The Winter Soldier. We also have the Sony rumors floating around that they’re looking for Marvel to help them sort out their Spider-Man mess, could that tie in here somehow? Also, lets remember, Avengers : Age of Ultron. It’s understood that the film doesn’t take much in the way of story cues from the book of the same name, so they could just be using the title for it’s initial impact.
Villordsutch: It’ll be interesting to see if this will be a wrap up in one film or a hope from Marvel/Disney that people will stick around to watch Civil War play out through a number of future films/TV shows. I wonder in which ending will they use, the actual ending or a happier alternative? We’ve all been made aware of the numerous rumours of Chris Evans possibly no longer being Captain America could this be leading to the swan song? I’m smiling with this rather grown up choice that Marvel/Disney have taken.
Luke Owen: I’d say this is leading towards the death of Captain America.
Ray Willmott: I think it’s a smart way to introduce new characters to the Marvel cinematic Universe and inevitably help the universe expand beyond the core Avengers team they’ve set out. Better opportunity for new main characters to shine but also give existing characters a juicy new, narrative concluding story to sink their teeth into
Tom Jolliffe: They can’t milk some of these characters forever and certainly if this were indeed leading toward the end of Cap, you’d have to say by a third solo film, along with his Avengers appearances, he’s probably come to the end of his shelf life. Stark has a little more longevity, purely because Robert Downey Jr. excelled beyond all expectation when bringing Iron Man to life. Introducing new characters makes sense, the only problem is that they’ve possibly blown their wad early as all the top characters have been done and given solo movies to boot. Are audiences going to care about seeing more characters on Hawkeyes sort of level? Not sure…I’d love to see iceman though, and a good representation of the Silver Surfer. They also need to move heaven and Earth to get Spidey into the Avengers world.
Ben Rayner: I’m fine with the idea of Cap dying off and changing hands. I just don’t like the idea of doing such a big plot line with so many of its major characters barred from being involved. X-Men, Spider-man, Fantastic Four, The Punisher and Ghost Rider are all either owned elsewhere or still in need of a good movie before hand…
Luke Owen: But they’re big characters in Marvel comics, not the MCU. As far as the MCU is concerned, Fantastic Four and X-Men don’t exist.
Chris Cooper: I’m cool with it. It’s bound to be extremely different to the comics due to the way the MCU is shaped so we can’t presume anything about it. There has already been some aggro between Stark and Rogers so it would be a natural progression. I do wonder how they will balance this storyline with the evolving Thanos/Gems story, and how Ultron will tie into it all. Post Avengers: Age of Ultron, I think we’ll have a much clearer idea on how things are going to pan out. But I’m excited by it.
Anthony Donovan Stokes: I think the Civil War comic is extremely overrated but that’s only an issue if this is a direct adaptation, which I doubt it will be.
Tom Roach: I think that the adaptation won’t be identical to the comic storyline but that is great. It gives the filmmakers far more freedom to work this story into the already existing universe. Having the heroes pitted against each other will make a nice change. Sure we saw a bit of that in the first Avengers film but this should take it to the next level.
Chris Cooper: Not a bad way to take on Batman vs Superman is it? I do hope Stark’s inclusion doesn’t overshadow Rogers but I’m sure they won’t do that.
Scott J Davis: I’m torn: I think in principle it’s a great idea and a great way to conclude the three phases of the universe. That said, it will be a monumental task for them to make it work without the likes of Spider-Man etc, but as some have said Disney probably have enough characters to move things around. Who knows, but I’d certainly be more for them trying to arrange for a Jackman/Wolverine appearance than Spider-Man/ And, ahem, Katee Sackhoff as She-Hulk? That would “peak” my interest no end….
But enough smut, I’d be very excited by the prospect. Already a little giddy that Downey Jr is going to be in Captain America 3!
Emanuel F. Camacho: I’m excited!
Kat Kourbeti: I’m with Luke and Gary on this. The MCU has so far had a different take on most well-known comic book storylines, but one that works well in the universe and with what they have (rights-wise and character-wise). I’m immeasurably excited that this is confirmed, as I’ve been hoping they would do the Civil War storyline for Avengers 3 since The Winter Soldier. It was hinted that that was the way they were headed, and I think that given the way they’ve handled the MCU arc so far, we’re in for a good ride. It may not be what we’ve come to know through the comics, but I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it as a bad idea. Bring it on, I say. It’s gonna be great.
—
What do you think of the Civil War news? Are you happy for Marvel to go in this direction?
