The Fantastic Four: First Steps has the potential to be a pivotal moment for Marvel Studios, revitalizing its relationship with critics, fans, and the all-important box office performance. This comes at a crucial time following a series of recent disappointments, notably Captain America: Brave New World. In a conversation with Deadline, Marvel president Kevin Feige provided insight into the film’s shortcomings, attributing part of its struggles to its status as “the first without Chris Evans.” His remarks highlight the idea that some iconic characters are challenging to replace, suggesting the intrinsic value of Captain America in the franchise.
While I’m not convinced that the absence of the original Captain America was the sole reason for the film’s underwhelming reception, it undoubtedly may have contributed to the overall perception of the movie.
The production of Brave New World was notorious for its difficulties, facing a series of challenges that led to extensive reshoots. A number of characters were completely cut from the final version, including Rosa Salazar’s Diamondback and Seth Rollins’ King Cobra. Additionally, Tim Blake Nelson’s character, Leader, underwent a significant redesign during these reshoots. Initially, he sported a look that was faithful to the comics, complete with a goatee, but the alterations resulted in a much more grotesque appearance that deviated from his original depiction.
Moreover, for audiences who haven’t been following every Marvel project, there may be a lack of understanding regarding Sam Wilson’s (played by Anthony Mackie) transformation into Captain America, especially if they missed The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Our own Chris Bumbray expressed a tempered view on Brave New World, noting that while he didn’t completely dislike the film, he found it lacking in several respects. “My biggest complaint is that despite the numerous comparisons to The Winter Soldier, the action sequences are underwhelming, with most of the scenes feeling no more impressive than what you’d expect from a Disney Plus show.” Bumbray elaborated, “While it’s not a total failure, Brave New World tends to feel more laborious to watch than it ought to. If you adjust your expectations, you might find some enjoyment in the showdown between Ford and Mackie, but Marvel movies should never come across as tedious.” To read the full review, click here.
Do you believe the failure of Brave New World can be attributed to the absence of Chris Evans, or do you think the film suffered from more significant issues?
