Can a New Cinematic Universe Match the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Success?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) stands as an unparalleled marvel in the world of superhero cinema. Yet, the question lingers: can any other franchise replicate its success and fan following? In this article, we explore the potential of other cinematic universes and highlight some that might have the promise to shine brightly like the MCU has.

Potential Candidates for a Successful New Cinematic Universe

The quest for a franchise that could rival the MCU's phenomenal success is ongoing. Several entities, including Warner Bros., DC Comics, and Hasbro, are exploring the idea of creating their own cinematic universes. Let's dive into the potential of some existing franchises:

DC Comics: A Rival to the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The DC Entertainment has already built a rich history of successful superhero movies, making them a strong contender to create a cinematic universe similar to the MCU. DC's properties, such as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), could potentially match the MCU's success if properly developed and marketed.

Harry Potter Franchise

The Harry Potter franchise has an enormous fanbase and a meticulously crafted immersive world, making it a promising candidate for developing a cinematic universe. However, the success of stand-alone properties, such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts, has yet to reach the heights of the main series, indicating that more could be done to realize its potential.

Warner Bros and Hasbro’s Shared Cinematic Universe

Warner Bros, in collaboration with Hasbro, is developing a shared cinematic universe that could include franchises such as Transformers, G.I. Joe, Dungeons Dragons, and Micronauts. This could potentially create a massive multiverse, similar to the MCU, by combining iconic properties and brands into one cohesive universe.

Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: A Legacy to Build Upon

Arguably, Star Wars is the only franchise that has already achieved a cinematic universe similar to the MCU. The Star Wars franchise has a deep lore and a well-established fanbase, making it a goldmine for storytelling. Lucasfilm’s success with creating a universe that transcends multiple films and series is a testament to its potential.

Developing Potential Trilogies Within the Star Wars Universe

While the Skywalker saga is iconic, there are numerous untapped stories within the Star Wars universe that could be developed into successful trilogies. Some suggestions include:

Knights of the Old Republic Trilogies: A young, naive Revan leading a group of rebel Jedi to fight the Mandalorians in the first movie, his descent into darkness in the second, and his redemption in the third.

The Je’daii Split: Two trilogies, one for the Je’daii studying the light side and another for those studying the dark side. This would explore the schism between these sides and their ultimate battle.

The Thrawn Trilogy: Although some alterations may be necessary due to certain events in the Force Awakens trilogy, the Thrawn trilogies would work well with minor tweaks.

Conclusion

While no existing franchise can match the MCU's success, the potential for other cinematic universes to achieve similar heights is promising. DC Comics, Hasbro's shared universe, and Lucasfilm's Star Wars are all strong contenders with the right development and execution. The future of cinematic universes looks bright, and only time will tell which franchise will emerge as the next blockbuster success.