The Live-Action X-Men VS Avengers Trailer You Didn’t Know You Need
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has hit a slump with low ratings and dismal box office earnings for its most recent releases like The Marvels. One potential way to revitalize the franchise is to use the Multiverse Saga as a pivot, making the X-Men the villains and adopting a storytelling style and tone of the popular animated series Invincible.
Borrowing from Invincible, known for its unique, often dichotomous tone that combines sincerity and darkness with edgy humor, would be the easy part. All Marvel would need is a team of writers capable of crafting a story that showcases the dark consequences of superpowers in a way that is not often seen in their existing projects. The heroes would not turn into villains but instead find a balance between the good and evil.
Making the X-Men, the villains is a creative concept that would require careful execution to align with the existing Marvel lore and fan expectations. One solution lies in the ever-changing morality of the X-Men. The comic book history reveals that even the most iconic mutants have succumbed to darkness, posing a threat to the world they strive to protect.
The X-Men’s narrative has often delved into the inner demons of its characters, leading to moments where the heroes become villains. The original roster – Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Iceman, and Beast – each experienced a period of villainy, reflecting the potential darkness within them. For instance, the Fall of X storyline shatters everything the X-Men have built, putting their legacy on the brink of ruin.
Throughout their storied history, the X-Men have defied the odds, persevering through various trials, even when their original leaders and mentors have become adversaries. Jean Grey’s transformation into the Phoenix in X-Men #101 made her susceptible to manipulation by Mastermind, triggering the events leading to the Dark Phoenix Saga. Dark Phoenix caused immense devastation, claiming the lives of billions before deciding to end her own existence to prevent further tragedy.
The blame for these actions was later placed on the Phoenix Force, which was revealed to have assumed a human guise in X-Men #101 while hiding Jean Grey in the Hudson Bay. The Fantastic Four eventually rescued Jean, but the repercussions of the deeds committed in her name continued to torment her. Even the Celestial-empowered Progenitor harshly judged her for the Dark Phoenix’s actions in A.X.E.: Judgment Day.
Cyclops, once a mutant revolutionary, also fell victim to the corrupting influence of the Phoenix Force, leading to tragic consequences. Iceman and Beast faced their own dark periods, emphasizing the ongoing battle between heroism and darkness within the X-Men. An Avengers vs. X-Men movie could use these stories to create a more adult-themed movie experience.
However, the MCU should tread carefully when embracing a darker tone, as it has the potential to alienate younger fans. In a world already saturated with darkness, do we truly need our heroes to be morally ambiguous? James Gunn‘s approach in the upcoming Superman: Legacy suggests otherwise, emphasizing the inherent goodness of heroes.
Ultimately, the MCU stands at a crossroads. It’s not about forsaking the inherent goodness of heroes but instead exploring the shades of gray within while resonating with a multigenerational audience.
