This year, the once-untouchableMarvel Studiosfinally showed some vulnerability.
Every single gamble paid off.
Every story expertly seeded over a decadeblossomed beautifully.
The team behind Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 celebrating what would be the high point of Marvel’s year.Photo: Jesse Grant (Getty Images)
Why did it happen?
Lets relive the story of Marvels shockingly sour 2023.
January 2023: A worthy competitor?
The cast and crew of Quantumania.Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez (Getty Images)
As 2023 began, Marvel was still riding high.
The future was looking promising too.
But even that surefire success had an asterisk.
With Alonso out, Louis D’Esposito and Kevin Feige remained.Photo: Rich Polk (Getty Images)
The films writer and director, James Gunn, had left Marvel Studios to run DC Studios.
One of Marvels own was going to be the leader of the main competitor.
The end creditscene even specifically teased that.
The cast and crew of Secret Invasion.Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez (Getty Images)
Its the jot down of thing that had always worked out for Marvel.
Surely, it wouldnt become an issue this time.
Also in March, one of Marvels most influential and powerful executives left the company: Victoria Alonso.
Loki season two director Dan Deleeuw and executive producer Kevin R. Wright at an event.Photo: Tim P. Whitby (Getty Images)
Her departure fromMarvel Studiosleft a ton of questions behind.
After a rough start to 2023, Marvel Studios looked to get back on track in early May.
It released James Gunns Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
The Marvels promoted on the Sphere in Las VegasPhoto: David Becker (Getty Images)
3, which didntjust score with critics, it had box office success too.
This was the Marvel fans loved.
This was a movie Marvel could be proud of.
But little did everyone know that it was all downhill from here.
Summer: Strikes!
As Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
3 was raking in money at the box office, the Writers Guild of America went on strike.
Films like Blade,which was still being written, were paused.
Filmsset to start filming, like Thunderbolts, had to stop without writers to help punch up the scripts.
Plus, he later suggested that some of Disneys brands (including Marvel) were releasing too much content.
Surely, that couldnt become super duper obvious anytime soon.
It had a big win with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
3, but needed to wipe away the disappointment of everything else.
This was going to win everyone back.
Remember the success of WandaVision?
On paper, this could eclipse them all.
In reality, wed bet one or two of you reading this probably forgot the show existed at all.
Secret Invasion came out this summer and just died.
No one talked about it.
No one cared about it.
Secret Invasion felt like the first Marvel show that was actual work to keep up with.
Along the way, many questionable decisions were made on the show too.
The previous years shows may not have set off a cultural bonanza, but at least they were enjoyable.
August: More labor issues
Why was Secret Invasion so bad?
Why did Quantumania fail?
In August, VFX artists working for Marvel Studiosdecided to unionize.
Long gone were the days of one or two movies a year.
Well, they werent, and now we had a strong inkling why.
October: An unlikely savior?
What it had going against it, though, was Jonathan Majors.
Ultimately, season two of Loki did end up being a success.
So even with a win, it wasnt the triumph it couldve been.
November: Not a Marvel
The first trailer for The Marvelswas released in April.
But as the film got closer to release, something just felt wrong.
And, as one might expect, online trolls hated the movie even before release because it starred women.
A film filled with seemingly everything Marvel was built on just didnt connect.
After a year of highs and lows, The Marvels was the lowest low yet.
It was proof that the formula that had worked so well for so long needed an overhaul.
The future film originally called Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, is currently being referred to as Avengers 5.
The rest: What If?
The future for Marvel Studios is a big What If?
Beyond that, the year thats behind us may have already forced many, many changes at Marvel Studios.
The director of one of the upcoming Avengers movies left the project, anda new writer came on board.
That alone should, in theory, help things out.
Give the company time to reset, reassess, and come back.
Some time away also wont hurt hype and anticipation either.
That even the mighty can fall.
Whether or not itll get back up again is the big question.
Want more io9 news?
News from the future, delivered to your present.
AndorSeason 2 ProvesStar WarsStories Remain Essential and Timely
The Lucasfilm and Disney+ series returns April 22.
