Deadpool & Wolverine and Hollywood nostalgia
Deadpool & Wolverine and Hollywood nostalgia
I like this movie, but it highlights a much bigger problem in Hollywood. The Hollywood business model is broken, with declining revenue across the board. Box office returns are no longer as good, linear TV like cable is declining, and streaming lacks the same profit. Physical media sales have declined, creating a perfect storm. Production has become more costly, leading to less risk-taking. We are in an age of sequels, reboots, and nostalgia. “Deadpool & Wolverine” reflects that much wider and bigger trend. It is a love letter to what came before, from Fox’s X-Men to Marvel’s productions.
The financial pressures and changing consumption habits are significantly influencing the types of movies being produced. With the decline in box office returns and the rise of streaming services, studios are increasingly relying on established franchises and familiar characters to draw audiences. This trend is evident in the surge of sequels, reboots, and adaptations of popular books and comics. While these films often guarantee a certain level of success, they also limit the opportunities for original storytelling and innovative filmmaking. The focus on profitability over creativity has led to a more homogenized film landscape, where risk-taking is minimized, and originality is often sacrificed.
Other recent movies also illustrate this trend of relying on established franchises and familiar characters. For example, the “Star Wars” sequels and spin-offs, such as “The Mandalorian,” continue to draw on the rich legacy of the original trilogy. Similarly, the “Jurassic World” series revives the nostalgia of the original “Jurassic Park” films while introducing new characters and storylines. The “Fast & Furious” franchise, now spanning over 11 films, exemplifies how studios capitalize on familiar characters and high-octane action to ensure box office success. Even Disney’s live-action remakes of animated classics like “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” are part of this trend, banking on the audience’s love for the original films. These examples highlight how Hollywood’s focus on profitability often leads to a reliance on tried-and-true formulas, sometimes at the expense of fresh and innovative storytelling.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” needed to be a success after a string of misses. The result is a movie that follows the Marvel formula, keeping Deadpool’s character with plenty of fourth-wall-breaking, which even acknowledges and pokes fun at Disney. At times, the jokes feel forced but not overdone. The good news is the writer’s strike did not do too much damage. There is a limit on creativity which shows itself. Not pitched as a sequel, it does not feel like one. A bigger budget means it has lost the low-budget vibe.
Therefore, it feels like a reset movie, bringing together everything that came before it. A Kevin Feige love letter to X-Men that started his movie production career. Now Feige, as head of Marvel Studios, comes full circle after 25 years. So, with all the nostalgia-based cameos, we get quite a good movie. Two rather good villains, characters that you can understand. What worries me is Marvel leaning into nostalgia for its upcoming projects. What has been bugging me is the lack of good characters and stories from Marvel in recent years. The two best characters we had were Ms. Marvel and Deadpool, both of whom speak to the audience. I enjoyed this movie, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong in Hollywood. It is another sign of how unhealthy Marvel Studios has become.
Pumping out productions over good stories that lead to something bigger. They need to go back to basics and bring in much bigger stories later on. In conclusion, “Deadpool & Wolverine” serves as both an entertaining film and a reflection of the broader issues plaguing Hollywood today. The industry’s reliance on established franchises and familiar characters, driven by financial pressures and changing consumption habits, has led to a more homogenized and risk-averse film landscape. While movies like “Deadpool & Wolverine” can still deliver enjoyable experiences, they also highlight the need for Hollywood to balance profitability with creativity. To truly thrive, the industry must find ways to support original storytelling and innovative filmmaking, ensuring that future generations of moviegoers can enjoy a diverse and vibrant cinematic landscape.