As far as iconic rivalries go, Marvel and DC have faced off against each other right from the comic book world to their cult cinematic universes. The introduction and the subsequent blockbuster success of the MCU beginning with Iron Man in 2008, gave Marvel a big edge for many years over its competitor.
But the franchise’s recent failures coordinated perfectly with James Gunn’s appointment as DC head, which saw a complete reboot of the DCU with many exciting projects lined up for the future. Now, Marvel is making a concerted effort to get back on track with the latest announcement of a podcast that will begin weekly from June 26th, which is said to feature many interesting discussions.
The Official Marvel Podcast Could Be The Much Needed Shot In The Arm For The Franchise
It is safe to say that Phase 5 of the MCU has not been the best ride for the franchise. With Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Secret Invasion, and The Marvels failing to make an impact with fans, Marvel seemed to be looking down the barrel in more ways than one. Alternatively, James Gunn’s newly-minted DC has been gaining a lot of hype for the director’s fresh vision for the future.
With the new Superman project being the highly anticipated film that is creating a lot of buzz among fans, Marvel’s impact at the box office and with viewers looked to be dwindling. But if latest information from the camp is anything to go by, the franchise is looking determined to rise up and regain lost glory once again.
In an official announcement. (via Nexus Point News), Marvel is set to launch a brand new podcast which will begin on June 26th, and will release an episode weekly thereafter. The podcast is said to feature various stars and creators who have lent their services to the franchise, and will take part in interesting discussions on movies, comics, games, and much more. Head honcho Kevin Feige will also be one of the guests.
This move, apart from being a great opportunity to gather and unite fans, could also be a deliberate tactic to gain more recognition and momentum amidst the DC hype after experiencing a lukewarm period in 2023. With Marvel being associated with many high profile celebrities who have given the franchise its recognition, these weekly podcasts could be just the tonic for a resurrection.
Is James Gunn’s Superman Legacy A Threat To The MCU?
Marvel and DC have always competed with each other for supremacy in the cinematic space. While the former had the upper hand for a while, the past few MCU films have left a lot to be desired, thereby resulting in a lean period for the franchise, especially in 2023.
Meanwhile, James Gunn is well on his way to resurrect the DC franchise through a complete rehaul of projects, with Superman: Legacy being one of the most anticipated films from the DCU camp. While Marvel has The Fantastic Four and Blade lined up in 2025, DC’s marquee film of that year will be Superman: Legacy directed by Gunn himself.
It has also been rumored that The Fantastic Four is scheduled to also hit theaters in the same month as Superman: Legacy. Insider Jeff Sneider reported in The InSneider that the MCU may want to avoid this clash by pushing the release date of its film forward. These speculations though, are yet to be confirmed.
This then means that Mahershala Ali’s Blade which seems to have been doomed from the start owing to numerous production delays and script changes (via The Hollywood Reporter), may become collateral damage again. At present, the film is set to release in November 2025 after two unsuccessful premier dates. It now remains to be seen how these decisions pan out for the Marvel franchise.
