Peacock Completely Botches Sequel To Beloved Sci-Fi Superhero Comedy
If you’re a fan of the superhero genre, you may already be familiar with the hit 2010 animated outing Megamind. Though Megamind was criminally underrated upon release, the film has gained tons of traction and new fans in the last several years due to its subversive writing, hilarious performances, and unique art direction, making it something of a cult classic. Therefore, it may come as a real surprise to learn that a Megamind sequel (Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate) was released just a few months ago, ultimately went completely under the radar, and received abysmal reviews from critics.
Megamind Vs The Doom Syndicate
The Megamind sequel, which is titled Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate, was released direct-to-streaming on Peacock back in March of 2024. I’m not sure exactly who was responsible for some of the decisions behind this release strategy, but I can tell you with certainty that such a sequel could have been a major hit if it had been handled differently. Clips and memes of Megamind frequently go viral online due to the original film’s forward-thinking writing and ahead-of-its-time character dynamics, meaning this sequel should never have gone unnoticed.
A Missed Marketing Opportunity
I can understand why DreamWorks heads would have reservations about putting another Megamind in theaters after the first one under-performed, but why would the sequel’s direct-to-Peacock premiere come and go with so little fanfare or marketing? If I were in charge of promoting this film, I would have plastered the return of Megamind and company all over billboards, TV spots, and YouTube ads to ensure that people actually knew this film was happening. As it currently stands, I’d be willing to bet that even some Megamind super-fans have no idea this sequel even exists.
None Of The Original Cast Was Featured
In fairness, it’s easy to see why Peacock execs would want to slow-roll the film, as heavy marketing may frustrate viewers expecting to hear big-name stars like Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, and Brad Pitt reprising their roles. The Megamind sequel failed to get any of the major players from the first film to return, likely due to budgetary constraints, though it surely would have been a nice push to have a cameo appearance from any of these performers. The new voice actors who round out the cast of the Megamind sequel do their best with the material they were given, though the writing is a far cry from what you might expect.
Don’t Try To Fix What Isn’t Broken
The writing of Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate makes it clear that the sequel was crafted with a younger audience in mind, in a misguided attempt to appeal to a new base of Peacock home viewers. While I understand why an executive may want to freshen up the IP for new eyes, it just makes no sense to take a project which has found new life with millions of teens and adults online and market it towards kids who weren’t even alive yet when the original 2010 outing was released.
The film was also developed to serve as a launchpad pilot for the animated sequel series Megamind Rules, which actually touts much better reviews than Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate.
I Award You No Points, And May God Have Mercy On Your Soul
GFR SCORE
The whole situation regarding the Megamind sequel is completely baffling, and the result is a critically panned movie that cheapens the legacy of the 2010 cult favorite. Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate currently touts a staggering 9 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 7 percent audience score to match. If your morbid curiosity is getting the best of you, Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate can be streamed on Peacock today.
