Exclusive Reveals: Marvel Insider Justifies Bold Superhero Makeovers Amidst Backlash
Marvel Movie Insider Explains Fan Backlash and Frequent Superhero Design Changes: Delve into the reasons behind the uproar and constant alterations in superhero movie designs
Summary
Studios have legal rights and political considerations that influence character designs in superhero movies, such as Venom, which may differ from the comics.
The public frequently fails to comprehend the rationale behind the ultimate appearance of a superhero film, often disregarding the complex decision-making process solely based on the exterior design.
The designs of superhero movies undergo alterations for a multitude of reasons, such as the requirement for practicality in live-action costumes, differentiation from the source comics, and the promotion of merchandise. Consequently, this results in numerous costume variations for each individual hero.
A Marvel movie insider, who contributed to Venom, sheds light on the reasons behind alterations to character designs in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and other superhero films. In defense of these changes, the insider addresses fan backlash and acknowledges that while some modifications have been received positively, there are instances, such as the redesigns in Tom Hardy's Venom movies, that have not been embraced by fans. Taking to Twitter, 3D artist Henning Sanden, who was involved in the creation of Venom, offers support for the changes made to the character's design in response to the fan criticism.
Why Superhero Movie Designs Go Through So Many Changes
: Sanden posted a comparison of Hardy's Venom and a fan-made version that closely resembled the comics. According to Sanden, the appearance of characters in movies is influenced by the complex politics surrounding the rights to the source material. This could potentially affect all MCU movies, SSU movies, and others, leaving the public unaware of the reasons behind a character's final look.
Several factors contribute to the deviation of superhero movie designs from their source material. In certain cases, comic book costumes are simply unsuitable for live-action, necessitating modifications. Consequently, there are instances where a hero's famed comic book suit only makes a fleeting appearance in live-action, serving as an Easter Egg. Additionally, alterations are deliberately implemented to distinguish a movie from its comic book counterpart.
Superheroes undergo costume changes for each movie, resulting in various designs for a single hero throughout their live-action career. This is driven by the studios' requirement to promote merchandise with each new movie or TV show, necessitating fresh looks for the heroes to keep the momentum going. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is particularly known for this practice, as every hero has sported multiple costumes over time.
At times, modifications to superhero movie designs are connected to different franchises centered around the same hero. For example, Tobey Maguire's costume with raised webbing differs from Andrew Garfield's distinct design in The Amazing Spider-Man, as well as the comic book-accurate suit in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. On the other hand, Tom Holland's Peter Parker has showcased several costumes with a wide range of colors and designs. According to Sanden's explanation, factors such as studio politics, the need to sell merchandise, and the process of perfecting a superhero suit for live-action all contribute to the changes in superhero designs, as observed in movies like Venom.
Source: Henning Sanden/Twitter
