The Marvel's Director Shares Valuable Advice from Black Panther Director on Navigating the MCU
Marvel's director reveals the invaluable advice received from Black Panther's director on handling the MCU Harnessing the power of individuality, this article explores how it can revive the recent slump and bring a fresh perspective to the superhero universe
Article Overview
Nia DaCosta received invaluable advice from Ryan Coogler to "be herself" when joining the MCU, which she initially doubted but later found to be true.
The Marvels' success may stem from its uniqueness, as recent MCU projects have faced criticism for their lack of originality and predictable nature. The favorable reception from audiences and continued praise for Loki season 2 indicate that the inclusion of individuality is crucial in revitalizing the recent decline of the MCU.
The Marvels director Nia DaCosta, like her fellow franchise filmmaker Ryan Coogler, received valuable advice from him. DaCosta, who is making her big-budget debut with the Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel, spoke exclusively with our website about The Marvels. When asked about seeking advice from other MCU directors, DaCosta singled out Coogler and acknowledged that she initially had doubts but later realized the truth in his insight. Find out what DaCosta shared below:
How Individuality Can Redeem The MCU's Recent Slump
Ryan Coogler's advice to "be yourself" is something I often repeat. Initially, I didn't fully grasp its meaning and questioned its relevance. However, I soon realized the wisdom behind his words. Embracing my true self, both as an individual and a filmmaker, became essential. Trying to conform or water down my uniqueness was counterproductive. Coogler's guidance proved invaluable in encouraging me to wholeheartedly be true to myself.
The MCU has finally started to feel the strain of its extensive roster and multitude of projects after 15 years in the industry. Recent releases like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Eternals, and Disney+'s Secret Invasion have garnered some of the franchise's worst reviews to date, criticized for their conventional storytelling and being more about content quantity rather than quality. Although The Marvels initially received mixed reviews from critics, starting with a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has gradually climbed to a "Fresh" rating of 61%, and the key to its success lies in its uniqueness.
In their pursuit of creating an interconnected universe, Marvel allowed the early MCU movies to be largely shaped by their respective filmmakers. This approach resulted in Jon Favreau's dynamic and intelligent Iron Man, Kenneth Branagh's stylish Thor, and Joe Johnston's throwback vibes in Captain America: The First Avenger. Even after bringing these characters together, many of the movies still retained the distinct touch of their creators, such as James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy films, the espionage-driven Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Coogler's own Black Panther movies.
While films like Thor: Ragnarok and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings have been praised for their fresh approach, others have faced criticism for being formulaic and lacking originality. However, DaCosta's commitment to her vision for The Marvels and her focus on character development has been well-received by audiences, with an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite initial negative press for the sequel, the positive response and the continued success of Loki season 2 indicate that embracing individuality is key to revitalizing the MCU.
The initial Captain Marvel film faced a backlash on Rotten Tomatoes, receiving only a 45% rating from audiences.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the recent state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). On the one hand, I appreciate the interconnectedness of the franchise and the way it has brought together so many beloved characters and stories. On the other hand, I feel like the MCU has become a bit too formulaic and predictable, with recent films and TV shows feeling like more of the same.
I think the advice that Ryan Coogler gave to Nia DaCosta, to "be herself" when joining the MCU, is spot-on. The MCU needs to embrace more diverse voices and perspectives in order to stay fresh and exciting. I'm hopeful that DaCosta's The Marvels will be a step in the right direction, and that it will inspire other filmmakers to bring their own unique visions to the MCU.
I also think it's important for Marvel to take risks and experiment with different genres and styles. The MCU has been very successful with its superhero films, but I think it could benefit from branching out and exploring other types of stories. I'm excited to see what the future holds for the MCU, and I hope that it will continue to evolve and grow in new and exciting ways.
