Could Marvel’s shared universe be its unraveling?

Could Marvel’s ever-expanding universe pose an issue down the line?

Marvel’s shared universe is one thing that keeps people coming back, especially big-time fans. People towards it for the model that anyone else should approach – rather it be DC or any other property that studios want to cash in on. After seeing the new Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer, I feel this may bite their shared universe in the back.

The biggest problem with the Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer is the spoiler disclaimer in the beginning from Tom Holland. He warns you of spoilers if you have not seen Avengers: Endgame yet. When was the last time you remember anything like this in the history of cinema?

Sure, there will be spoilers in a trailer for a sequel. ‘Wait Groot is a baby now in Guardians 2?’ Yes, if you did not watch the first film. Of course this should come as a no-brainer. Yet, this is a Spider-Man film and the spoilers for this trailer do not live in Spider-Man: Homecoming, but a non-Spider-Man film. A spin-off one can maybe argue? Universal’s Frankenstein certainly does not spoil Universal’s Dracula. Is this the future of cinema? These ginormous franchises we have to invest in, follow to a tee and always be up to date on?

We have to keep in mind that Spider-Man is a well-known, internationally recognized super-hero. On a global level, fans love him and find with him more than say, Superman & Batman. Spider-Man had his own following beginning in 2002, before this whole shared universe concept. Even after 2007 this following for Spider-Man continued. Fair to say it will continue, as we get some form of Spider-Man trilogy within Marvel’s shared universe. Now imagine watching that.

More from Marvel Cinematic Universe

• Loki season 2 finale does set the stage for Kang Dynasty
• Marvel: (Spoiler) exits Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
• Will Loki air a new bonus episode tonight? (November 16, 2023)
• What If…? season 2 gets premiere date (and there’s a major twist)
• Marvel rumors hint Pedro Pascal has been cast in key Fantastic Four role

There is a recap, but one almost requires Captain America: Civil War to set up the full context of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Now one needs to see both Avengers films to understand the full context of Spider-Man: Far From Home. What’s next? Does Guardians of the Galaxy or Black Panther help set up needed material for the following Spider-Man film?

General audiences may begin to find this tiresome and hardly inviting to watch. Going back to how many people find with Spider-Man, does everyone identify with say Ant-Man or Black Widow? Maybe, but not the amount as Spider-Man.

Many general audiences may not have the time to follow this shared universe to a tee. We live in a world today sprawling with content from theaters, endless sequels, spin-offs and add in exclusive content from Netflix, Amazon, Hulu in our already busy lives. Going to the movies is especially not getting cheaper either. They might be willing to forgo seeing the next Thor movie, but not Spider-Man.

However, a new trailer drops saying you need to see the next Thor, otherwise it may spoil the new Spider-Man trailer. This is not audience friendly. Imagine jumping into a show mid-season, you are lost. Same principle here as this MCU becomes more of an old film serial or soap opera. Stay up to date, watching everything or fall behind.

Even some comic book movie fans admit they do miss the self-containment of their heroes of yesterday. Deadpool is technically part of a shared universe, but if you did not watch the earlier films you are fine. Wonder Woman hardly even relies on Batman v. Superman, the film spoils nothing for you. Fans can certainly keep the chugging along somewhat, but in the end, they still require the general audiences’ ticket sales to keep this ship a float.