Coming off of the incredible one-two box office punch of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy last year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe can essentially do no wrong in the eyes of moviegoers. After all, if Marvel Studios can sell a walking tree and a gun-toting raccoon, Spider-Man shouldn't be much of a stretch.
In a matter of a few short years, Marvel has managed to build an interconnected web of films that continually develop and enrich the world in which these characters live. It's long been discussed how this long-form planning creates an atmosphere that closely matches what Marvel Comics has been doing for decades and the game-changing effects it has caused throughout the entertainment industry.
Now MTV News recently caught up with Samuel L. Jackson - who, of course, plays now-former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury in the MCU - about his thoughts on Marvel Studios' success. Here's what he had to say:
"The Marvel Universe is huge. There's thousands of characters that they can access and use and do stuff with. I'm not surprised by that. It's been that way since we started reading comic books. Most of us that understand the comic book world know you can crossbreed and do all kinds of stuff. ... I think marvel has figured out a way to make those movies accessible to the public that DC hasn't. I don't know what that is. I don't why you can't get Batman and Superman together and have people as juiced up to be a part of that."
Jackson's comment regarding the anticipation about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice may be somewhat inaccurate, considering how much excitement is still circling that project and the possibilities it brings along with it.
However, his point about how Marvel has truly taken advantage of their seemingly endless library of characters couldn't be more spot-on. Granted, DC is only one film into establishing its own interconnected universe, but Marvel films have managed to strike a balanced tone even with darker installments like last year's Captain America sequel, as Jackson points out.
" 'Winter Soldier' is some pretty dark stuff. They actually did a great job bringing a guy like [Robert] Redford in there, which turned up the legitimacy factor in a very interesting way and made it a serious movie along with the popcorn and bubblegum stuff we do in it."
That being said, Jackson was quick to acknowledge that he's happy to continue appearing in the Marvel films "as long as they keep writing him in these films," likening his character's mysterious disappearance at the end of Winter Soldier to the earth-wandering journey of the character he played in Pulp Fiction.
Still, while a Jules Winnfield/Nick Fury teamup film isn't likely to pop up in the Marvel slate anytime soon, there is the growing possibility that upcoming films like Captain America: Civil War, Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War will end up clearing some long-time characters off the board to make way for newcomers like Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel and (yes) Spider-Man.
With just two films left on his contract, Jackson's character may be one of the unlucky few. Only time will tell.
In the meantime, do you think Jackson has a point regarding Marvel's advantage over DC, and what will it take for DC to match the level of success the MCU is currently enjoying? Sound off in the comments section below with your thoughts.
Avengers: Age of Ultron hits theaters on May 1, 2015
Source: MTV News