The Future of Franchises: Disney’s Decision to Reduce Marvel and Star Wars Productions

In recent years, no franchise has been more economically successful than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its productions have consistently surpassed their development costs at the box office, sparking weeks-long social media conversations and a flurry of associated product sales. However, according to Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, this era is coming to an end.

Disney has acknowledged a catastrophic error that Marvel has committed over the past few years: increasing the number of movies and series has diluted audience interest. The Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars have millions of followers who are usually attentive to their new releases. These contents usually perform well when offered in cinemas or through streaming video. But this trend is changing.

In an interview with CNBC, Bob Iger admitted that they will make cuts in the investment for content from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars. The reason for this is to reduce costs and try to refocus the mentioned franchises. In Iger’s words, “You pull back not just to focus, but also as part of our cost containment initiative.”

What does this mean? According to Iger, “Spending less on what we make, and making less.” Since 2021, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been expanding through the television format. This, which in theory should work as another medium to continue telling a story, has not worked out in the best way, and the public’s attention has been lost, according to the executive.

In relation to this franchise, Iger explained, “Marvel is a great example of that [the loss of attention from the audience]. It had not been in the television business at any significant level, and not only did they increase their movie output, but they ended up making a number of TV series. Frankly, it diluted focus and attention.”

These statements come in a context where Disney, as part of its measures to adjust costs, has laid off thousands of employees. To this, we now have to add the writers’ strike that began in early May 2023 and, of course, the recent actors’ strike. Both guilds demand better labor agreements from the studios. It is not yet feasible to dimension how long this crisis could last or its long-term impacts, but it is evident that the entire film sector will be affected. Marvel and Star Wars will not be alien to the situation, and many changes will surely come for both franchises in the near future.

The decision to reduce the volume of Marvel and Star Wars content is a clear indication of Disney’s new direction towards cost containment and refocusing its franchises. This move, while necessary, has sparked a series of discussions about the future of these beloved franchises and the potential impact on their fan base. As Disney navigates this new path, fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see how these changes unfold.