Why an Avengers Reboot would Spell Disaster

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The possibility of an Avengers reboot has incited passionate responses from fans who argue that it would be a low-cost solution for Marvel's waning status and would diminish the significance of Iron Man and Black Widow's deaths in Endgame.

The original cast members, such as Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson, have shown hesitance in reprising their roles for an Avengers reboot, indicating that the original Avengers films have fulfilled their narrative.

Moreover, the MCU's emphasis on the multiverse has already introduced complexities that have proven challenging for certain fans. Introducing parallel universes in an Avengers reboot would further convolute the storyline, ultimately leaving fans with an abundance of unanswered questions.

There has been growing speculation surrounding a potential reboot of the 'Avengers' franchise by Marvel. This reboot would involve bringing back the original members of the team for a future movie. However, the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow in 'Avengers: Endgame' had a profound impact on fans and marked a dramatic conclusion to the original Avengers franchise. Additionally, Captain America's departure in the same film further compounded the sense of finality. 'Endgame' was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, even becoming the highest-grossing movie in history.

As a result, many fans consider 'Endgame' to be the symbolic conclusion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While Marvel has continued to release content in recent years, some fans argue that the quality has noticeably declined. Although there have been exceptions like 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3', the reception for projects like 'Secret Invasion' has been lukewarm with only a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes compared to 'Endgame's' impressive 94%. This apparent decline has led to an onslaught of criticism and suggests a loss of commitment from Marvel's fan-base.

Amidst these challenges, speculation about a potential Avengers reboot has emerged. However, there are concerns that this endeavor could end in disaster.

What Is Known About the Avengers Reboot?

According to Variety, speculation regarding an Avengers reboot is on the rise. Tatiana Siegel, the author of the article, revealed that discussions have taken place to reunite the original gang for a new 'Avengers' movie. This would involve bringing back Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, despite their deaths in 'Endgame'. (This shouldn't pose a problem since in comic books, cherished characters are frequently killed off and later revived through phenomena like the multiverse.)

However, according to the article, the studio has not yet fully committed to the idea and cites financial challenges for Marvel in bringing back the original Avengers cast. Nevertheless, Variety emphasizes that there is a strong potential for the Avengers to make a comeback, primarily due to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's exploration of the multiverse in its fifth phase.

In an alternate reality, both Iron Man and Black Widow may still be alive, thanks to the concept of overlapping alternative universes in Marvel's fifth phase. This presents a clear opportunity for their return in the MCU. Additionally, Captain America could exist in a different reality where he did not reunite with Peggy, opening the door for the hero's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Why Are Fans Unhappy About A Potential Avengers Reboot?

An Avengers reboot is only a possibility, according to Variety, and it has generated strong reactions from fans who are hopeful for an original Avengers reunion. Social media has been flooded with fans sharing their thoughts on the potential reboot. While some argue that bringing back the original members could revive the declining state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), others strongly believe it would lead to disaster. Ultimately, there are numerous reasons why an Avengers reboot would not be successful for Marvel.

There were a total of four Avengers movies featuring the original cast. Endgame offered a definitive conclusion for many characters. Although the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow were undoubtedly heartbreaking, their stories were at least brought to an end. The timing of the Avengers films was perfect, as the MCU fandom had tripled in size since the release of the first Avengers movie by the time Endgame came out. The anticipation for this supposedly 'final' chapter of the Avengers was inevitable. Endgame set the stage for the next phase of the MCU, introducing a new overarching storyline and a plethora of new characters.

Replicating the electrifying excitement that came with Endgame seems highly improbable for Marvel. Consequently, numerous enthusiasts concur that an Avengers reboot would only serve as a superficial solution to the multitude of challenges Marvel faces.

Although an Avengers reboot appears to be plausible, numerous original cast members have refuted their reentry into the MCU. During a fan convention this year, Chris Evans asserted that there are additional Steve Rogers narratives to be told, but ultimately, the character's comeback "doesn't feel appropriate." Despite the MCU cast's reputation for concealing secrets, Evans' thoughts on returning to the MCU appear resolute. The actor who portrayed Captain America went on to acknowledge that he was involved in something so extraordinary for a specific period of time, and it truly resonated profoundly.

Evans seems to acknowledge that the original Avengers films have reached their limit. Although the four movies were released at an opportune moment, duplicating their success will be difficult, especially considering the current decline of the MCU.

Recently, another actor from the MCU shared her thoughts on the potential return of her character. During a conversation with her MCU colleague, Gwyneth Paltrow, on The goop Podcast, Scarlett Johansson dismissed speculation about Black Widow making a comeback. In the podcast, Johansson explained to Paltrow:

My task is complete. The chapter has come to an end. I have fulfilled all of my responsibilities.

In the 2021 prequel film, Black Widow, Black Widow reappeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, Scarlett Johansson described this comeback as a "unique experience". Although there is potential for a reboot of the Avengers, it appears that the cast is not interested. Nevertheless, there hasn't been a definite decision regarding Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU, leaving the possibility of an Avengers reboot uncertain. Nonetheless, many fans believe that Iron Man's return will bring about complications.

An Avengers Reboot Would Take Away Value From The Characters’ Deaths

In 2019, the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow in the MCU had a profound impact. By eliminating two significant characters, the stakes for the future of the MCU were raised. Devoted fans were devastated by the loss of these characters, especially considering their longstanding presence in the MCU. Black Widow made her debut in the MCU in 2010, while Iron Man's first film premiered in 2008, serving as the starting point for the MCU. Consequently, the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow effectively delivered a jolting shock to audiences, contributing to the widely praised reception of Endgame.

Following the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow, fans exhibited an even greater level of engagement with these characters. After Endgame was released, social media platforms became flooded with expressions of shock from viewers who mourned the loss of these central MCU figures. This heightened interest led to the film's successful reception among fans and ignited a significant amount of discussion surrounding the events of Endgame. Eager to avoid spoilers, fans eagerly flocked to theaters, resulting in a record-breaking opening weekend for the movie.

The Avengers movies and all other MCU titles are available to stream on Disney Plus.

However, the impact of the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow would be rendered meaningless if they were to return for an Avengers reboot. This raises a fundamental question among fans: 'What would be the purpose of their deaths if they were to come back after a few years?'. Originally, the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow held tremendous significance. Nevertheless, an Avengers reboot would not only undermine the seriousness of their demise but also diminish the entire plotline of Infinity War and Endgame.

Marvel faced criticism from fans in the summer for the same issue as Secret Invasion. The show revealed that James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes, portrayed by Don Cheadle, is being impersonated by a Skrull, a shape-shifting alien. However, the Disney Plus series failed to disclose the duration of Rhodey's transformation, which undermines the impact of some of his notable moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

An Avengers reboot, if it resurrects Iron Man and Black Widow, would diminish the significant contributions these characters made in Endgame. This would ultimately invite the same critique that was directed towards Secret Invasion's handling of Rhodey.

The MCU Is Already Too Complicated

Critics argue that the MCU has become overly complex, particularly with the focus on the multiverse in the fourth and fifth phases known as 'The Multiverse Saga'. This is due to the inclusion of Kang the Conqueror, who can travel between different universes. However, the negative reception of recent releases like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness suggests that the MCU may have taken on too much.

Many fans believe that Marvel's content began to decline with the introduction of the multiverse. It has become increasingly difficult to keep up with and follow, resembling more of a challenging task than enjoyable entertainment. The complexity of the multiverse has led to criticism, as it requires extensive knowledge to fully comprehend. Consequently, the introduction of the original Avengers in parallel universes would only add to the confusion and leave fans with numerous unanswered questions, such as the validity of the events in Endgame.

Reviving Iron Man, Black Widow, and Captain America due to the existence of the multiverse would only perpetuate the criticisms aimed at the MCU. While certain fans may be thrilled to witness the return of their beloved characters, it is imperative to regard the original Avengers movies as a concluded chapter. Marvel has already outlined its future plans for the sixth and seventh phases, encompassing Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Nevertheless, taking fan reactions into account, it is clear that the MCU would benefit from distancing itself from the original Avengers.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an expansive franchise of movies and television shows that intertwines the stories of various superheroes, such as Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many others. The franchise began with the release of Iron Man in 2008 and has since garnered both critical acclaim and tremendous financial success, raking in billions of dollars at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the possibility of an Avengers reboot. On the one hand, I understand the desire to see the original team back together again. The Avengers movies were a huge part of my childhood, and I would love to see them continue. On the other hand, I worry that a reboot would diminish the significance of the sacrifices that the characters made in Endgame.

The deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow were powerful moments that had a profound impact on fans. Bringing them back would cheapen those moments and make it seem like they didn't really matter. Additionally, I think it would be difficult to recapture the magic of the original Avengers movies. Those movies were a product of their time, and I'm not sure they would work as well today. The MCU has changed a lot since then, and I think it's time for Marvel to move on to new stories.