Unbelievable Coincidence: Marvel & DC’s Last 3 Major Live-Action Superhero Franchises Conclude in the Same Unusual Manner

In recent years, it’s rather astonishing how the last three superhero film franchises that emerged from both Marvel and DC, distinct from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Universe (DCU), ended up concluding on a similarly disappointing note. There have been numerous efforts over the decades to translate epic narratives and characters from Marvel and DC Comics into expansive live-action film series. While I am among those who appreciate the MCU’s ongoing evolution, the newly established DCU is showing great potential under the direction of James Gunn and Peter Safran. However, I must note that not all superhero movie franchises have enjoyed the same fortune.

Beyond the MCU and the freshly rebooted DCU, 20th Century Fox’s X-Men Universe, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) have all ventured to present their takes on iconic stories from Marvel and DC Comics. Each of these franchises has ultimately reached an end, with the most recent closure occurring with the SSU, as the upcoming 2024 film, Kraven the Hunter, will serve as its finale. Although it’s somewhat disheartening, I’m not shocked to see these franchises wrap up, yet it is indeed surprising to witness their conclusions unfurl in rather similar fashions.

The New Mutants: A Underwhelming Finish to the Fox X-Men Franchise

The New Mutants: The Closing Chapter of Fox’s X-Men Universe on August 28, 2020

In 2020, The New Mutants marked a disappointing closure for the 20th Century Fox X-Men franchise, a series that initially established a vibrant universe of mutant heroes and adversaries long before other superhero franchises found their footing. Fox produced a total of 13 films in this franchise, starting with X-Men in 2000 and culminating shortly after Disney completed its acquisition of Fox in 2019. Regrettably, The New Mutants does not provide a memorable farewell, instead epitomizing the issues that plagued the franchise.

The box office performance of The New Mutants is a clear reflection of the franchise’s unfortunate decline, significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I genuinely appreciated numerous films in Fox’s compilation, such as X2, First Class, Days of Future Past, Logan, and the Deadpool series. However, the inadequate attention given to both Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants—in the wake of Disney’s acquisition—resulted in an unsatisfactory ending. Yet, Marvel Studios has acknowledged the previous franchise in significant ways.

The upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film slated for 2024 will honor the legacy of Fox’s X-Men franchise, officially classifying it as Earth-10005 in the MCU’s multiverse framework. It brings back fan-favorite characters, reaffirming the importance of the original X-Men series in setting the stage for today’s more successful superhero films, particularly within the MCU. Nevertheless, The New Mutants has set a precedent for how superhero franchises may conclude, highlighting the need for thoughtful endings.

Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom: A Bizarre Conclusion for the DCEU

Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom: Closing the DCEU on December 22, 2023

In a similar vein to The New Mutants, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom signaled the endpoint of the DCEU after the inevitable cancelation of the franchise was announced. Following the appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs of the newly minted DC Studios in late 2022, plans to reboot the DCEU were disclosed in January 2023. This announcement profoundly affected the remaining cinematic offerings from the DCEU, including Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

As a sequel to DC’s highest-grossing film, Aquaman (2018), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom naturally amassed the most substantial earnings among the DCEU’s 2023 releases. However, it still faced criticism, symbolizing the unfortunate end of the DCEU, marred by a series of lackluster films, internal disputes, and a clear absence of direction. Initially, Zack Snyder provided a vision for the DCEU that many fans embraced, but his exit during the Justice League production led to a significant loss of confidence in the series.

With The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker receiving favorable reviews in the DCEU’s later years, James Gunn was appointed to take the reins and reimagine the franchise. The new DCU commenced its journey with Creature Commandos in December and is set to expand with a new Superman film in July 2025, which has generated a great deal of excitement. I sincerely hope that Gunn and Safran’s DCU can help erase the memories of the DCU’s dismal conclusion, a fate most fans wish to forget.

Kraven The Hunter: The Final Chapter for the SSU

Kraven The Hunter Premiered on December 13, 2024

The emergence of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) exhibited signs of future troubles almost from the outset. Reportedly, Kraven the Hunter will be the concluding installment of the SSU, as Sony shifts focus towards producing the MCU’s Spider-Man 4, the animated sequel Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, and a live-action series centered on Spider-Noir. With just six films defining the entire SSU, it stands apart from the more expansive Fox X-Men franchise and the DCEU. The conclusion of both the X-Men and DC franchises was influenced by studio upheavals, whereas Sony had the freedom to let the SSU continue.

Sony’s Spider-Man villain spin-off universe is dead. ‘KRAVEN THE HUNTER’ will be the final film in the SUMC universe for now. (Source: https://t.co/PUBJHfHNc8) pic.twitter.com/fqLifvzb8Y — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 10, 2024

Despite featuring renowned talents such as Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Dakota Johnson, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, it was only the Venom trilogy that found any significant commercial success. While I’ve viewed the Venom films as flawed, it’s safe to say I generally feel relieved that the SSU is coming to an end. Fortunately, the trajectories for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe appear promising, and I remain hopeful that these revitalized franchises don’t suffer from the same unfortunate wrap-ups faced by their predecessors.

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