So far the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 movies and shows have been met with many different reactions from fans. Kevin Feige recently explained that Phase 4 is bound to feel “unique” and “different”, and this is certainly the case!
But there is a general theme for Phase 4 and the Marvel Producer Richie Palmer recently discussed the topic while he was a guest on Empire’s Spoiler Special podcast. During the interview, he was asked if the main theme of Phase 4 was “guilt and consequences”, Palmer confirmed that it is, and went on to say it’s “all a reaction” of the characters to the events of. Avengers: End of the game. He said:
“100%. Because Phase 4 is all a reaction – and I don’t mean on our part as directors, I mean the characters – it’s a reaction to the trauma of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. We’re still feeling those effects in these films years later.” “
Palmer went on to say that this is something he talked about with Elizabeth Olsen regarding Wanda’s journey, saying:
“It’s also something we’ve talked about with Elizabeth Olsen every step of the way, which for her, Wanda’s entire journey is leading to a moment of responsibility. And we think she got there.”
The producer added that Phase 4 explores many of the characters’ reactions to “what happens when you lose everything?” Use Peter Parker as an example, saying:
“I also saw a meme the other day, it was comparing her to Peter Parker. ‘What happens when you lose everything?’ You know, some people handle it differently than others. Peter Parker dived into the Spider-Man character at the end of No Way Home, completely let the Spider-Man character take over in response to his loss and his trauma. Peter, of course, being Spider-Man means going and being the greatest hero of all time. “
Palmer went on to explain that Wanda’s story arc went in the opposite direction with her transformation completely into Scarlet Witch, the “worst villain of all time”:
“Wanda’s version tended solely to be Scarlet Witch, which we discovered from Agatha and Darkhold, through Wanda’s self-discovery, which is the opposite: [she becomes] the worst villain of all time, the destroyer of worlds. Now he is aware: ‘Oh, I should be this god. I’ve always known this guy, under the surface, but now I’ve been told. Now, my way of dealing with my loss and trauma is simply to be who I am, which is Scarlet, so I will be. ‘ Of course, in our film, she says, ‘I don’t want to be, I want to be with my kids. So leave me alone, but I’m just letting you know I’m Scarlet Witch, so don’t mess with me. ‘ “
As for the unifying theme of Phase 4, Palmer shares that it is “our heroes taking their place” and “understanding their place in the world” after all they have lost in previous films:
“But it’s interesting, whether it’s Spider-Man or Scarlet Witch or Black Widow after Civil War, this phase seems like our heroes realize themselves, everyone tries to understand their place in the world, and a lot of they are alone now because of the losses they suffered during those Avengers movies. “
One of the other aspects of Phase 4 that we’ve seen are legacy characters going into mentoring roles like Clint Barton helping Kate Bishop, Stephen Strange helping America Chavez, and Bruce Banner helping Jennifer Walters in the next. She-Hulk series.
Phase 4 of Marvel was a fun and interesting ride. It definitely has a different feel to it than the first three stages of Marvel. I’m curious to see how it continues to work, but right now Marvel seems to be playing fast and loose. Personally I think they need to start souring things up a bit because the quality of the storytelling isn’t what it used to be.
What do you think?
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
