Apart from some exceptions, it appears like CBMs have hit the wall creatively, at least in the case of MCU and the now-defunct DCEU. While DCEU is no longer a thing, thanks to the change in regime, post-Endgame, the MCU has struggled to deliver constant hits, and these issues can be traced to the cinematic giant’s writing front.
Weighing on it, Tom Hanks shared his stance on the apparent fatigue surrounding CBMs and why mediocre storylines no longer cut it with the growing options at viewers’ disposal.
Mediocrity in Stories Will No Longer Cut It per Tom Hanks
Back when Christopher Reeve’s Superman hit theatres, it revolutionized the genre, thanks to its cutting-edge technology, which made viewers believe a man could indeed fly. While the technology has improved drastically ever since, and it no longer stands as a barrier between putting comic book stories on the big screen, with decades of exceptional visuals onscreen, the tech alone no longer sells it.
Speaking with Howard Horowitz, Tom Hanks shared that fans are currently “enjoying the luxury of riches”, adding “You can make anything happen on screen”. But considering the constant overflow of CBMs in the last decade, the Oscar winner stressed that “we’re in an evolutionary place”, in which the viewers’ preference simmers down to the theme and the story.
I think we’ve been down that road. We’ve had probably like 20 years, 15 years in order to explore that kind of thing, and now I think we’re in an evolutionary place… And the story is What? And the theme is what? right, and the point of this movie is what?
However, Hanks acknowledged that it’s a good challenge, which will push filmmakers to tackle new grounds in the superhero genre. But the actor said that the execs at the top will not be very happy about it, as they no longer can bank on a proven template.
The Comic Book Industry Is Eyeing To Adapt to the Shifting Climate
On the bright side, both Disney and DC have recognized the importance of quality of quantity, as during the announcement of DCU’s slate, James Gunn expressed that storytelling was going to be the main focus heading forward.
Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger also highlighted the importance of quality over quantity, sharing that they’re going to cut down on MCU’s volume and shift their focus to deliver quality releases.
We’re slowly going to decrease volume and go to probably about two TV series a year instead of what had become four and reduce our film output from maybe four a year to two, or a maximum of three. And we’re working hard on what that path is.
While time will tell what the future holds for the MCU and James Gunn‘s DCU, which is set to take off next month, it doesn’t seem we’ll see Hanks anytime soon in the realm of CBMS, given his busy schedule.
