At long last, we have arrived at the final part of my journey into the shared cinematic universe. Beforehand, I stuck to the superhero universes, since this model is a staple of comic books and Marvel was the originator. But as we all know, Hollywood fixates on trends, and the shared universe model is king right now. I've written several other blogs about how the MCU's popularity would breed imitators, and not just other superheroes. My previous blogs have even discussed how to apply the model to other franchises.
But now that the MCU is definitely the "It" franchise, we know for sure that other series are planning to emulate it. I'm not going to stretch this series any further by writing a blog about each franchise. Therefore, this last entry is meant to dissect whether the shared universe model can work for these other series. I'll also take a look at some franchises that aren't adopting the formula now, but potentially could. Let's take a look, shall we?
In-Development
The Story So Far- We all know the story of the Skywalker clan in that galaxy far, far away, complete with Jedis, lightsabers, the Force, bounty hunters, smugglers, droids, and Wookies. Since Disney bought Lucasfilm and wiped away the Expanded Universe of tie-in stories, the official canon now consists of Episodes I-VI and the Clone Wars
and Rebels cartoons. Any films and EU material from here on out is considered official canon.What We're Getting- Episode VII: The Force Awakens is coming to our galaxy this December. Beyond that, Rian Jonson (Looper) is confirmed to direct Episode VIII and at least write Episode IX. The shared universe model will take effect in 2016, when the first of at least three spinoff films is released. Aside from the director being Gareth Edwards (Godzilla), we know nothing of the film. It's rumored to involve a team of bounty hunters stealing the plans for the first Death Star, but nothing's official as of yet. The second spinoff has Josh Trank (Chronicle) as its director. Disney hopes to release a core Episode every two years, with the spinoffs released in between. By utilizing solo (ha ha) movies in addition to the main Episodes, Star Wars
plans to adopt the same formula as its sister franchise Marvel.Can It Work?- If any current franchise can adopt the shared universe model, it's Star Wars. The EU may currently be non-canon, but it was proof that the Star Wars sandbox can house hundreds of unique stories and characters. The Skywalkers and Solos don't have to be the focus of everything. It's a big galaxy, and there's room for everybody. The only hindrance would be if the traditionally episodic franchise can pull off quality spinoffs. Edwards and Trank are ideal choices to bring these stories to life, so at least there's talent involved. But it's still risky whether a Star Wars film that doesn't revolve around the Skywalkers can succeed. Another factor is overexposure. The first six movies were event films, and the seventh looks to be the same. Will audiences still be in love with Star Wars if they get a film every year? Several factors can work against this, but given the wealth of stories and characters, I'd say the Force is strong here.
Universal Monsters
The Story So Far- This is technically the original shared universe, since the whole idea of film crossovers came from these monsters back in the '30s. Universal simply wants to revive that grand plan, with last year's Dracula Untold acting as ground zero.
What We're Getting- Universal is planning reboots for Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Wolf-Man, the Invisible Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Reportedly, a Van Helsing reboot is also coming. Presumably this means the creatures will unite against Van Helsing once this flick hits theaters.
Can It Work?- In theory, yes. With Universal's current mindset, no. I didn't see Dracula Untold, but I heard it was a mess. Universal apparently wants these reboots to be adventure films, completely removing the horror aspect. What they fail to understand is that the horror themes were what made those old films so great. If Universal wanted to revive their classic monsters universe by updating the tone of the '30s films, it could be a huge hit. But if Dracula Untold is the template, this is destined for failure. Also, while the 2004 Van Helsing is one of my guilty pleasures, I doubt a reboot acting as an Avengers-style monster team-up will gain any praise. Universal might be better off rebooting Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstien, or better yet, Monster Squad.
Lego
The Story So Far- The Lego Movie may have been recently snubbed at the Oscars, but its resounding critical and commercial succes has made a return to its unique world all but inevitable.
What We're Getting- Phil Lord and Chris Miller are returning to write the sequel, but unfortunately not to direct. Their current plan is to explore the kid from the first film in his teenage years, where his outlook on Legos is entirely different. This obviously effects Emmet in the Lego-verse, who's struggling with the revelation that there's another world out there. It sounds like a great concept, so let's hope for the best. The shared universe model comes in through two spin-offs, Lego Ninjago and Lego Batman. We know nothing of the former, but the latter will apparently pay homage to every cinematic version of the Dark Knight, and deal with whether Bats can be truly happy. Sounds like fun.
Can It Work?- The Lego Movie 2 will at least be a financial success, but it's hard to tell how it'll fair critically with Lord and Miller not directing. Ninjago is a popular brand, but I don't know how well it'll do given it's catered to a specific fanbase. Batman on the other hand could do wonders, given the character's break out status in the first film. Given this is a kid's franchise, and the original film already set up a massive world, the shared universe concept will probably work really well for this. It's hard to tell how connected they'll all be aside from sharing a world, but this Lego-Verse seems to have all its bricks in order.
Ghostbusters
The Story So Far- There's been talk of expanding the Ghostbusters franchise beyond the original two films since...well, since the second film dropped. A third film with the original cast is now, sadly, impossible. Harold Ramis is dead, Bill Murray isn't interested, and Dan Akroyd's gone insane. Ghostbusters 3 is no longer happening....
What We're Getting- ....which is why a total reboot with an all female cast is coming. Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) is set to direct, with Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone, and Jennifer Lawrence all in the running to star. But here's the kicker. Sony is throwing around the idea of a giant Ghostbusters universe, with multiple teams fighting those ghastly gouls. Another Ghostbusters film could enter production alongside the female one, with Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt starring.
Can It Work?- Not likely. Fans may be pissed at the very idea of a reboot, and while an all-female team may be a huge success, I don't see a shared universe emerging from it. It'd be better to just make a sequel introducing Tatum and Pratt as new members. Why make a completely separate film? How would they be different other than the inverted genders? The return of Gozer would be better than this.
Robin Hood
The Story So Far- The Prince of Thieves has been brought to film countless times, and it looks like he's set to come again.
What We're Getting- Sony is considering a pitch for a shared Robin Hood universe, that would see Robin and each of his Merry Men get their own films before coming together as a sort of medieval superhero team.
Can It Work?- No. Just, no. A standalone franchise about Robin and his men? Possibly. A shared universe? No way in hell. The day a film about Friar Tuck, Little John, or Will Scarlett is made is the day I give up on Hollywood.
Other Possibilities
Godzilla/King Kong- Here's the facts. We know these two iconic monsters have crossed over before. We know the film rights to both of them are owned by Legendary Pictures. We know last year's Godzilla film is getting a 2018 sequel. We know King Kong is coming back in 2016 with a prequel/reboot called Kong: Skull Island. It's only natural to suspect that Legendary wants to bring these two creatures together. And here's more food for thought: Legendary also owns Pacific Rim. Imagine the Kong/Godzilla universe breaching the Pacific Rim universe through those deep sea portals, and the Jeagers have to fight them. I wouldn't expect major world building from this, just good old fashioned monster fights. Make it happen, Hollywood.
Harry Potter/Wizarding World- J.K. Rowling's amazing universe is ripe for further spin-off franchises. We're already getting one with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but given it's set 70 years before Harry, it seems more like a prequel franchise than an attempt to set up crossovers. I've already devoted a blog to explaining how a Wizarding Universe could work. Imagine Snape, Dumbledore, Voldemort, the Hogwarts Founders, the Marauders, and the Three Brothers getting their own films, plus more Beasts movies and a possible Quidditch franchise. I could see WB doing it. The only caveat is, like Star Wars, if people want to follow other characters in this world beside Harry. The lore and characters are there, but unless Rowling is overseeing them, this could turn into another gimmick.
Middle-Earth- Just like Harry, I've devoted a blog to explaining why this could work. It mostly depends on if Warner Brothers gets the rights to adapt the Silmarillion, given it's basically hundreds of smaller tales coexisting in the world of Middle-Earth. There wouldn't be accusations of stretching the material like The Hobbit, given this is a multitude of stories instead of just one. If The Hobbit proved anything, it's that audiences are in love with the world just as much as the characters in it. Frodo and Bilbo were huge hits, so who's to say Feanor, Beren and Luthien, Turin, and Earendil wouldn't be as well? Again, the only real risk is oversaturation, as people may tire of Middle Earth after constant exposure.
Star Trek- The TV shows did it, so why not the films? With a rebooted universe, you could restart Next Gen, DS9, and Voyager and have their crews cross over, and even re-do the Generations movie by bringing back the Nexus, allowing Kirk and crew to visit. But there's the tiny little problem of how this has already been done, and it indirectly doomed the previous series. Into Darkness already drew the fans' ire by remaking Wrath of Khan, so basically re-doing the entire formula of the old franchise would be a step backwards. It could still be done in theory, but it doesn't seem very likely right now.
Transformers/GI Joe- I consider both of these franchises beyond saving unless a major creative shake-up happens. But as long as both series are what they are, why not cross them over? The cartoons and comics have done it, and they're both owned by the same company. Bay should direct, as his Transformers films proved he already has a hard-on for the military. Why not just do an average Transformers film, and replace the dull military characters with the Joes? Either incorporate the continuity from the previous Joe films or just use the opportunity to reboot the property (it's not like either continuity is consistent, anyway). The thought of seeing Optimus Prime fighting side by side with Snake Eyes, or Cobra Commander with Megatron, may actually get me back into the theater. Then again it may not, but it's certainly possible.
Final Thoughts
I've now explored the shared universe concept extensively, with all its numerous possibilities. It's hard to really go in-depth about how a shared film universe can work, when Marvel is really the only franchise currently doing it. I can theorize and predict all I want, but I can't come to some great conclusion about this model the way I can with trilogies, reboots, or part fours. All the way back in my trilogy series, I talked of how the shared universe model can completely change the way Hollywood approaches serialized storytelling. That stance hasn't changed, given a shared universe still involves multiple, interlocking installments in one world. What makes the shared universe concept so unique from the sequel, though, is the characters.
Look at how Marvel built its world. Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Thor all got their own films leading into the Avengers team. Phase One may have been riddled with problems trying to sell the universe, but one thing was certain: to make the universe work, each character had to work too. And if multiple characters had films coexisting with each other, these films had to feel similar enough to sell the world but different enough to justify each film. Iron Man can't be Captain America, just as Cap can't be Thor.
With Phase Two, Marvel realized each film could mix in elements from different genres. This would emphasize the differences between the films, and allow the creators to keep challenging themselves. Iron Man 3 was an '80s sci-fi action thriller. The Dark World pure fantasy. Winter Soldier was a conspiracy thriller, while Guardians was a full-blown space opera. Each film brought a new genre to the universe, while expanding the world through individual, character-driven stories. The key to making an effective universe lies in this approach. By all means, interlock your films. Creating an expanding narrative and weaving characters and plot threads in and out is great, and it emphasizes how everything's connected. But don't let the world building outshine the characters. Marvel learned this with Iron Man 2, and Sony learned it the hard way with Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Rushing a shared universe never works, especially when you try forcing all your world building into one film. Allow the world to grow naturally, by putting your characters before everything. If the audience doesn't care about the characters, they won't care about the world. This is why the DCCU is on thin ice if Batman v. Superman falters. Why the template of Dracula Untold doesn't bode well for Universal. Why Fantastic Four might not get to play with the X-Men. Marvel has been in the game long enough to know what makes a good shared universe, and what doesn't. Their formula is by no means the only way to do it. People seem to think that a giant crossover has to have solo films preceding it. DC may be on to a formula where solo films come after the team-up, with the crossover itself the proof of concept. Only time will tell if this will work, but it certainly has the potential to.
Ultimately, the key to making a great shared universe is just make good movies. If all the movies are good, and potential for a crossover is there, audiences will get excited because they want to see all the characters together. That's what gave The Avengers its massive success. That's why fans want Batman v. Superman to succeed, and why they're pissed Sony won't give Spider-Man back to Marvel. Shared universes are born from the basic desire to see awesome characters team up. But they all have to be awesome. What good is a sandbox to play in if you don't have all the cool action figures? If Hollywood gets this, then Marvel may not be king of the shared universe for long. Competition is healthy, and if it leads to multiple awesome shared universes unfolding on our screens, millions of fans will be eternally grateful. There are dozens of fictional universes out there, waiting to be mined for future movies. It's time Hollywood knew about them.
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