NO SUCH THING Why we're sick of franchise movies
Jul 30, 2025
Franchise fatigue is taking over Hollywood, especially with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The discussion dives into the roots of franchise storytelling, critiquing the decline of originality as profit-driven decisions dominate. Nostalgia for earlier cinema clashes with the current trend of convoluted narratives alienating casual viewers. Key insights into how creativity is stifled and the industry's need for fresh narratives emerge. A look at the challenges facing filmmakers highlights the struggle between audience expectations and innovative storytelling in a saturated market.
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From Hidden Comics Reader to MCU Saturation
- Manny grew up reading Marvel comics but didn't openly share it due to their lack of mainstream coolness.
- Marvel movies later normalized this content, making superhero films ubiquitous and inescapable.
Franchise Storytelling Is Ancient
- Franchise storytelling is one of the oldest narrative forms, dating back to ancient epics like the Iliad and Odyssey.
- People naturally prefer stories with familiar characters and recognizable plotlines, making franchises inherently popular.
Studios Fear Losing Money Most
- Studios prioritize avoiding financial loss over maximizing profit, shifting filmmaking toward safer bets.
- Publicly traded studios prefer reliable return franchises over riskier, original films due to shareholder pressures.
