The return of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans to the MCU is a betrayal of everything “Endgame” accomplished

Robert Downey Jr. And Chris Evans, the two pillars of the original Avenger, are ready to return to the MCU– and it will be a huge mistake. As the expansive film universe ventures into uncharted territory, the instinct to rely on familiar faces for stability makes sense, but it lacks the spirit that the characters or the franchise as a whole have always represented. The extensive list of actors in the MCU includes Downey and Evans were the two figureheads of the film series. Both actors had the most outstanding roles in the entire film universe; As Iron Man and Captain America, they not only starred in completed standalone trilogies, but also came together to lead the Avengers whenever they met for their films together. Among a crowd full of stars, they were the two brightest. However, Returning to Evans and Downey so soon after their scheduled finale is an example of the current lack of trust between fans and the MCUwhich represents a lack of confidence in the new actors, characters and storylines in favor of maximizing nostalgia and familiarity.

Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. represented the underdog spirit of the MCU

Underpinning Downey and Evans’ importance to the MCU is how the actors’ career paths ideologically represented what the studio wanted to achieve. The MCU was a crazy experiment – such a large and interconnected film series had never existed before – and so it needed actors capable of fulfilling these lofty ambitions. Downey, now considered the godfather of the MCU, was in the process of returning to Hollywood stardom after years of personal issues prevented him from reaching his true potential. Downey was looking for a second chance – just like Tony Stark. While it’s important to separate the art from the artist, it’s difficult to completely separate RDJ from Stark when the narrative parallels are so obvious and the results so effective. When the audience saw it for the first time Iron Manthey didn’t see a controversial actor or a B-list comic hero; They saw Downey at his most captivating, embodying Tony Stark with such charm and vitality that no other actor could dare invade the character. Downey’s performance was so charismatic that it launched an entire cinematic universe.

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While Chris Evans had his own unique path to becoming Captain America, he too seemed to represent a similar story to his fictional character. Evans was no newcomer to Hollywood, nor was he new to the role of a superhero, but the actor had yet to truly establish himself as a leading man. Better known for more classic athlete roles like the Human Torch or Lucas Lee Scott Pilgrim vs. the WorldEvans clearly showed the potential to be great, but did he have the heart to be a leader? The answer was a resounding yes, as Evans’ performance as Steve Rogers proved to be exactly what the MCU needed. A perfect complement to Tony Stark’s sass and mockery, Evans highlighted Captain America’s resilience and loyalty, the very qualities that made him the necessary leader of the superhero team. Both Evan and Downey had feel-good stories that reflected the underdog nature of the MCU and its characters. This makes the entire experience exciting for the audience on multiple fronts. Not only did we watch characters overcome odds, we also saw artists and performers defy expectations. However, her return to the MCU, especially under these circumstances, ruins everything.

“Avengers: Endgame” ended her narrative journey

A common criticism of comic book storytelling is the lack of sufficient stakes. Between fake deaths, resurrections, and other narrative distractions, comic book characters often get stuck in spiraling journeys with little real progress. Just think about how many Spider-Man Stories still see the web-slinger stuck in high school with no money? However, this problem is directly what Avengers: Endgame successfully overcome. Endgame was a love letter to the original Avengers cast; It was a farewell tour that gave its characters coherent narrative closures that thematically fit their storylines, which spanned multiple films.

In this chapter, the MCU gave these comic book characters a bittersweet touch earned Ends of their stories. Tony Stark, once a selfish and cavalier weapons manufacturer, proved that his humanity and selflessness were vital to the world’s survival. His intended path to becoming Iron Man was not just to save his own life, but that of the entire universe. In complementary juxtaposition, Steve Rogers, the man who couldn’t help but flaunt his own life at every opportunity, ultimately decides to make himself a priority after Years of fighting. To get to this point in their journey, both characters went completely nuts trilogies and four avenger Movies, each with character development and growth to get to that point. Unlike comics, the MCU built up each installment and ensured that each addition had a lasting impact and consequence. It is the accumulation of the audience’s time and commitment, spanning an entire decade, that produced the whole thing Endgame Such a unique film, complete with one of the most satisfying endings in cinema.

The New Avengers roster deserves the spotlight

It’s no secret that the MCU has been going through a rough patch in recent years, as the response to Phase Four paled in comparison to the near-universal positive hype surrounding the franchise during the previous two Avengers films. The return of Downey and Evans seems to be a response to this waning interest, but it also feels like waving the white flag. Kevin FigMCU’s ingenious marketing strategy of outlining the different phases of the MCU was one of the main reasons why fans kept coming back to the franchise, as each year brought new films and new excitement. But it was this daring and experimentation that made this cycle seem innovative rather than repetitive. In 2019 Endgame was intended to serve as a concluding chapter for the first three phases, but rather than ending the MCU as a whole, it was also intended to be the symbolic passing of the torch from one Avengers cast to the next. Steve Rogers passed his shield on to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Tony Stark’s sacrifice ensured that future generations of heroes would live on.

Subsequent films even introduced new characters ready to take the spotlight, such as Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), but the MCU has failed to maximize these fresh faces. In reality, Shang-Chi hasn’t been seen in years and is said to be one of the main members of the new Avengers squad. The MCU has achieved something no other film franchise could have achieved, but its own fear is now leading to its self-imposed implosion. After years of anticipation and narrative development, the return of Evans and Downey is emblematic of how the MCU may have lost the bold spirit that made it so popular in the first place.

Avengers: Endgame is streaming on Disney+ in the US

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Avengers: Endgame

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe lies in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan Thanos. With the help of their remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once again to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what the consequences.

Pour

Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Evangeline Lilly, Sebastian Stan, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Brie Larson, Paul Bettany, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman

Duration

182 minutes

studio

Marvel Studios

franchise

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Sales partner

Disney, Marvel

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