Marvel Claims New Disney Plus Shows Are "Really Scary" - But I Don't Believe It

Marvel Claims New Disney Plus Shows Are "Really Scary" - But I Don't Believe It

It's no secret that Marvel tends to follow the family-oriented mold when creating new projects, which is not necessarily a bad thing given the franchise's appeal to younger audiences. But following the same template over and over again sucks the goodness out of all superhero shows and movies, ultimately causing "Marvel fatigue" in most of the world (we just want to feel the magic again).

But according to Brad Winderbaum, Marvel's head of TV and streaming, one of the upcoming spin-offs seems to be heading in a different direction by incorporating more horror elements. "Agatha All Along," which follows the escape of Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn, from her captivity in Westview, will be "really scary" and "dangerous."

Winderbaum said on the official Marvel podcast: "Agatha is really fun, but she's also really scary and quite dramatic. She's a great anti-hero, and this show is a fun Halloween treat, and before you know it, you're crying. It's Marvel-branded scary. It's a Halloween show. There are deadly stakes in this series. It's a fun but dangerous ride."

This claim sounds interesting and somewhat exciting for Marvel, but I find it hard to believe--even though I want to. We have seen dark projects like "Doctor Strange: The Madness Multiverse," "Wander Vision," and "Avengers: Infinity War" succeed, yet despite the success of darker projects like "Infinity War" and "Avengers. They still seem to be holding back their films, perhaps to appeal to a broader audience. That's understandable, but I'm left wanting more. And personally, I am still disappointed that they cut many of Wanda's (Elizabeth Olsen) absolutely brutal scenes from "Doctor Strange."

So I'm not comfortable calling "Agatha All Along" pure scary horror. Sure, a sinister tone may peek through, but Agatha's character mainly shows a goofy, mischievous side with a sharp wit and humor (unless she seriously intends to change that). If anything in the Marvel universe is to be classified as "scary," this franchise would need to create a separate horror department for more mature viewing.

Marvel has always thrilled me with its thrilling superhero adventures and witty banter. But after more than a decade of similar storylines, I am now beginning to feel what I call Marvel fatigue. I think it's time for Marvel to step it up a notch by exploring darker, more mature stories in order to once again evoke excitement and keep audiences engaged.

Introducing darker themes could provide the tonal shift we have been craving. Complex, morally ambiguous characters and stories with higher stakes could make the MCU new and unpredictable again. As I've gotten older, my tastes have evolved, and I'm sure many other fans feel the same way. I just want to feel the magic that the old ones once offered.

By taking a darker route, Marvel could breathe new life into its universe and offer fresh and engaging movies and shows. I don't think "Agatha All Along" is the best place to start. But it's worth a shot at this series, which will be available on Disney Plus on September 18.

For now, you can stream "Wander Vision" on Disney Plus for review.

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