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The Marvel Movie Glut of 2018 – Black Panther, Avengers, Ant-Man and the Wasp, New Mutants, Deadpool 2, Dark Phoenix and Venom

Published Tue, 09 Jan 2018 08:15:40 -0600

by Rich Johnston

Last updated Tue, 09 Jan 2018 09:19:56 -0600

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2018 will see seven live-action movies based on Marvel comic books. That we know of. This is more than ever before.

2011, 2014, 2016 and 2017 had four. 2013 and 2015 had three. 2012 had two.

For Marvel movies, there has never been a year like 2018. Let's count them down.

From Marvel Studios (owned by Disney) we have Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp

From Fox (now owned by Disney) we have The New Mutants, Deadpool 2 and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

And from Sony/Columbia, we have Venom. There's also an animated Spider-Man movie featuring Miles Morales from Sony too.

In comparison, DC Comics has Aquaman. And a few animated movies.

At this point, there must be fear of Marvel movies cannibalising each other. Most people don't go to the cinema seven times a year, let alone go to see a superhero movie seven times a year. Big Marvel fans may now go to all seven or eight movies – and not go and see anything else. Just as the Marvel Zombie of comics bought all Marvel titles regardless before even thinking of buying anything else, this approach may create the Marvel Movie zombie who doesn't see any other film in the cinema. Okay, maybe Star Wars, but that's it.

Will 2019 be any better? Well, we know about Silver & Black and Spider-Man: Homecoming 2 from Sony, Gambit, two untitled movies from Fox, and Captain Marvel and whatever Avengers 5 will be from Marvel Studios. Will they announce more?

Recently, Jodie Foster talked about the dangers of the superhero movie, the spectacle movie, drowning out all others and changing audience expectations. Is there a greater danger posed by the sheer volume? Will Disney's purchase of Fox see those numbers cut back in an attempt to ensure that Marvel doesn't compete with itself over the same dollar?

Also, after seeing seven Marvel movies in 2018, will Aquaman be a breath of fresh air? Or at that point will no one care?

I feel sorry for Hellboy…

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