The End(Game) Of An Era

*Note: This piece will talk Star Wars and Marvel films, with some spoilers. And if anyone is expecting some kind of hate filled piece, then go elsewhere. This is not that*

On April 25th, or 24th in some countries, Marvel will unleash Avengers: Endgame onto the world. It's the film that will bring down the end of Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It's also a film that one could argue could close the MCU in various ways too. Several of the actors in the MCU end their contract with this film, the likes of Chris Evans (Captain America) for one. Of course, things like that do have the audience wondering how many of the characters may die during the film, as the Avengers strive to defeat Thanos and undo the effects of the snap from Infinity War.

And in some ways, this film, this final act of Phase 3, may also be my final act with the MCU too. While I've enjoyed most of the films Marvel have made since the release of Iron-Man, I've always been a DC fan more. I preferred their comics and characters (Batman will always be my favourite). But I can't deny what Marvel have pulled off has been quite remarkable. Endgame will, most likely be the end of the story. I would imagine after this film, Phase 4 will move away from the core central trio of Iron-Man, Captain America and Thor. Certainly with the likes of Black Panther and Captain Marvel, Marvel have begun the Phase 4 building, to, I presume some kind of Infinity War/Endgame even a few years down the line.

However, I'm not sure I will take that journey. As I said, I've watched all the Marvel films since the MCU began and I have this feeling that with Endgame that journey will end. Don't get me wrong, this is not the fault of Marvel or anything like that. I just think that my own interest in the MCU is beginning to wane. Perhaps with all the films (22 in total) it's fatigue or something. I'm sure that in the future there will be some MCU films that might interest me, but right now, I have the feeling that after Endgame, whatever investment I had with the films will cease.

In many ways, this is similar to how I also feel about Star Wars. Before The Force Awakens came out, I wrote a Blog piece (here) about my concerns for the new film. Sadly, after seeing The Force Awakens and then The Last Jedi my concerns were still there.

And this goes back in some ways to Return Of The Jedi, which for me is where Marvel are now with Endgame. After George Lucas finished his prequel trilogy with Revenge Of The Sith, put together with the original trilogy, the six films tell the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker. Of course the prequel trilogy came much later, but at the end of Jedi, the Empire had been defeated (for good we thought), the galaxy had been saved and Vader had been redeemed in some ways. The saga felt complete.

I've always thought we didn't need another trilogy after Return Of The Jedi and personally, after seeing The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, I still feel that way. I know that these films have huge audiences and have generated new fans, ready to embrace the Star Wars universe. I have no ill will to those who love these new films. I have no time for these haters who have blasted Disney, Lucasfilm and all those who made the films. To those haters, I say get a life.

I know, despite what I've said above I will go see the new one due out later this year, The Rise Of Skywalker. Like the others, the teaser trailer hasn't grabbed me, but I will no doubt be there opening weekend, to see it and see how Lucasfilm/Disney bring the saga to an end, even though as previously said, I still think Return of The Jedi was a good way to end the saga. It's perhaps interesting that of the new Star Wars films, the only two I've really enjoyed were Rogue One and Solo, the two films that don't continue the story after Jedi, instead are more 'fill in story' type of films.

It could be my attitude to the new Star Wars trilogy, has influenced my thoughts on Marvel and the upcoming Endgame. I also know I'm likely in the minority on this. The Marvel films will continue after Endgame and although it's been suggested after Episode IX there will be a hiatus on new Star Wars films, I doubt we won't get more of them.

But for me and perhaps others, in some ways 2019 could be the year when we end the journey that Marvel and Lucasfilm are on.

And for those continuing the journey, happy travels.