As we look ahead to 2025’s notable superhero movies—Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, Superman, and Fantastic Four: First Steps—there’s a fascinating pattern emerging. These films explore unique and sometimes conflicting relationships with time, presenting a blend of character continuations and fresh introductions.
Time has long been a central theme in superhero films. In 1978, Superman served as an origin story, while 1989’s Batman was set early in his saga. Both films provided audiences insight into characters who had already begun to discover their identities, conveniently offering new viewers a peek into their backstories. This trend continued into the early 2000s with films like Daredevil and X-Men, allowing fresh heroes like Spider-Man and Hulk to take center stage with origin tales.
The origin story reclaimed its prominence after the success of Batman Begins in 2005, inspiring other franchises to revisit their characters’ beginnings. While superheroes slowly caught up to this narrative approach, cinematic universes turned origin tales into essential building blocks. Iconic characters like Green Lantern, Iron Man, and Captain America made their mark with compelling origin tales, while team films in the 2010s began to play with this formula. For example, Black Panther never received a traditional origin, yet his character was deftly woven into the larger narrative arcs of Civil War and his standalone film.
Movies featuring new characters had to provide clear origins to attract viewers. But recasting beloved heroes has often led to confusion and disappointment. The Amazing Spider-Man series and the 2015 Fantastic Four relaunch faced criticism for how they reinterpreted these iconic stories. In contrast, Marvel sped up its narrative with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, forgoing an origin in favor of an immediate introduction. This decision, while refreshing, highlighted the absence of essential elements, like Uncle Ben, which some long-time fans felt was a gap worth addressing.
In the current era, the 2020s have marked a shift in storytelling techniques. As television series have increasingly become intertwined with cinematic universes, platforms like Disney+ have taken the lead in serving origin stories. With characters seamlessly transitioning from the small screen to theaters, films like Brave New World and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness allow audiences to understand character arcs as if they are simply continuing their daily lives. The upcoming Fantastic Four will leverage this by showing characters who have already navigated their early struggles and are now established heroes.
On the other hand, DC appears to be returning to traditional storytelling methods, placing their heroes in earlier chapters of their journeys. As seen in The Batman and Superman, we find these characters with a few years of experience but still evolving into the icons that fans adore. While these films avoid conventional origins, they do provide context, allowing characters like Catwoman and the Penguin to shine in their own narratives.
What lies ahead for origin stories in both DC and Marvel? Interest in fresh characters has been rekindled. With cinematic debuts for Shang-Chi in 2021 and Blue Beetle in 2023, it may take time before established heroes receive the same spotlight once again. The journey to reveal a character’s full backstory can be significant; remember, we waited eleven years and multiple appearances in different films to fully grasp Black Widow’s backstory. Ignoring origins entirely isn’t practical, as critiques of Superman and Fantastic Four reveal that new and old audiences alike appreciate a thoughtful introduction to familiar characters. As filmmakers strive to refresh this narrative, audiences hope to avoid yet another retelling of iconic tragic backstories.
Have you ever wondered why some superhero films skip origins while others don’t? The decision often depends on broader audience expectations and the character’s established history. Movies like Brave New World and Fantastic Four aim to innovate, crafting engaging narratives that resonate with both diehard fans and newcomers alike.
What makes a successful superhero origin story today? Successful origins tend to build on existing lore while also inviting new audiences to engage with the character. By intertwining fresh narratives with established histories, films can present a rich tapestry that appeals to various viewers.
If you’re curious about how upcoming superhero films will continue to develop or change storytelling techniques, be sure to stay in the loop. For the latest insights on the ever-evolving landscape of superhero cinema, check out more at Moyens I/O. Exploring these topics can deepen your understanding of what’s next in the superhero genre.