For Millennials. By Millennials.
The year 2019 was a year of ending for some of the famous TV entertainment shows. We saw an end to X-Men, Game of Thrones and other franchises that completed their runs. We also saw Avengers completing its chapter of the Infinity Arc, culminating with Avengers: Endgame. Later, Star Wars closed its story on the Skywalker Saga with The Rise of Skywalker or Episode IX. While the Star Wars universe took more than 40 years to deliver its story in nine movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe took 11 years to present its story via 22 movies. Does this mean that MCU has taken over?
Star Wars Universe Or MCU?
While we did see an end to one of the most popular sagas in entertainment history, this is not the finishing line. In fact, both of the Disney franchises are just getting started. We already know Marvel coming up with new movies and TV shows, and Star Wars is not lagging behind either.
One may think that the finals three movies of Star Wars were not up-to-the-mark. That means that three out of nine (or ten if you consider Solo as well) movies turned out sour for the moviegoers. For the MCU fans, we can easily point three movies as well (Iron Man 2, Thor: TDW, and The Incredible Hulk), but we also get so many more movies to watch. Comicbook readers never thought that their favorite heroes would be brought to life so remarkably.
Who Had A Bigger Impact?
It was thanks to Star Wars that we realized what a tremendous world was present in the world of the sci-fi genre. Before Star Wars, we could have never pushed the green screen and visual effects on the grounds that we have today. Star Wars merchandise is one of the hugest in the world, probably even bigger than Marvel and Disney. We can very much call George Lucas a visionary and a genius in terms of filmmaking.
In the case of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kevin Feige showed the world of entertainment how things are done. How to intertwine characters’ stories into epic crossovers and storylines. How to fully utilize modern filmmaking technology and think beyond.
So, who wins this race of ultimate franchise? We can say that Marvel uses its huge list of a starry, flashy lineup to create an impact. But characters like Mark Hamill, the late Carrie Fisher, the new John Boyega and Daisy Ridley are not far behind either. Perhaps it is more about which bias you are looking from. I personally would like to hold Star Wars’ Force more closely than Marvel’s Infinity Stones.