I’m Over It
Look, I love a good explosion as much as the next guy. But honestly, I’m kinda done with superhero movies. I mean, I’ve been a lifelong movie buff, started back in ’98 when I was a film student in Seattle, and I’ve seen it all. Or at least I thought I had.
But lately, it’s just… yeah. It’s too much. Every summer, it’s the same thing. A new superhero, a new villain, a new city getting destroyed. It’s getting old. I remember seeing Dark Knight in 2008 with my friend Marcus (let’s call him that, he’d hate the publicity). We were blown away. That was real cinema. But now? It’s just comics on a big screen.
And don’t even get me started on the sequels. Avengers: Endgame was great, don’t get me wrong. But then we got Avengers: Infinity War and then Avengers: Age of Ultron and… I can’t keep up. It’s like they’re just churning them out now. Quality over quantity, people!
But What About the Money?
I get it, money talks. Superhero movies make bank. Avengers: Endgame made over $2.796 billion worldwide. That’s insane. But is that really what we want from our cinema? I mean, I love money as much as the next guy, but come on. There’s more to life than greenbacks.
I was talking to my colleague Dave about this the other day. He’s a numbers guy, always crunching them. He told me that in 2019, superhero movies made up 27% of the total box office gross. That’s a lot. But is it too much? I think so. I mean, where’s the room for original stories? The indie films? The art house cinema?
And it’s not just the theaters. Streaming services are getting in on the action too. Disney+ has a ton of Marvel content, and they’re not shy about it. But is that really what we want from our streaming services? More of the same? I mean, I love a good Marvel movie as much as the next guy, but I also want to see something new. Something different.
What About the Actors?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Robert Downey Jr. as much as the next guy. But is that really all we want from our actors? To see them play the same character over and over again? I mean, I get it, it’s a paycheck. But is it really worth it? To see the same actor play the same character for 10 years? I don’t think so.
I remember seeing RDJ at a conference in Austin a few years back. He was talking about his career and how he loved playing Tony Stark. But he also talked about how he wanted to do other things. To explore other roles. To grow as an actor. And I get that. I really do. But is Hollywood giving him that opportunity? Or are they just seeing dollar signs?
And it’s not just RDJ. It’s all the actors. Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth. They’re all stuck in these roles. And I get it, it’s a paycheck. But is it really worth it? To see the same actor play the same character for 10 years? I don’t think so.
But What About the Fans?
I know, I know. The fans love it. They eat it up. They can’t get enough. But is that really what we want? To cater to the lowest common denominator? I mean, I love the fans as much as the next guy. But is this really what they want? More of the same? I don’t think so.
I was talking to my friend Sarah about this the other day. She’s a huge Marvel fan. She’s seen every movie, read every comic. She knows her stuff. But even she admitted that it’s getting old. That it’s getting repetitive. That she wants something new. Something different.
And it’s not just Sarah. It’s all the fans. They’re getting tired of it too. They want something new. Something different. Something that challenges them. Something that makes them think. And I get that. I really do. But is Hollywood listening? Or are they just seeing dollar signs?
What’s the Solution?
I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t have all the answers. But I do know one thing. We need to demand more from our cinema. We need to demand more from our actors. We need to demand more from our studios. We need to demand more from ourselves.
And maybe, just maybe, we need to take a break from superhero movies. To explore other genres. Other stories. Other worlds. To give ourselves a break. To give Hollywood a break. To give our wallets a break. Because honestly, I’m kinda done with superhero movies. For now.
But hey, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong. But I don’t think I am. And I’m not alone. There are a lot of people out there who feel the same way. Who are tired of the same old thing. Who want something new. Something different. Something that challenges them. Something that makes them think.
So here’s to the future. To the unknown. To the unexpected. To the market news financial update that tells us it’s time for a change. Here’s to the movies that make us feel. That make us think. That make us want to be better. Here’s to the movies that make us human.
Because honestly, I’m kinda done with superhero movies. For now.
About the Author: I’m Jane Doe, a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I’ve written for major publications and have a strong opinion on just about everything. I live in New York with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and I’m always on the lookout for a good story. Or a good cup of coffee. Whichever comes first.
