Why So Many MCU TV Shows Have Bad Endings, Explained By Marvel Writer

WandaVision‘s head writer reveals the reason behind multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe series having bad endings. The MCU’s Infinity Saga, which ran from Phases 1-3, was made up solely of movies, and it was the most successful period in Marvel Studios’ history. While the reveal that Marvel Studios’ movies would get the company of new formats — series, animation, and Special Presentations — thanks to Disney+ was exciting, the MCU started becoming divisive after Marvel started to branch out, with the MCU’s Phase 4 becoming the franchise’s most controversial by far.

Several MCU TV shows have grappled with a number of issues, which include pacing, VFX, story, and more. That is why Marvel Studios is now taking a new stance regarding its output on Disney+, with the studio slowing its roll to be able to deliver more high-quality projects that match or exceed the audience’s expectations. One of the biggest problems with the MCU series is that many shows didn’t stick the landing, with their endings either feeling rushed, leaving threads hanging, or more. A new comment from a Marvel writer explains why MCU series’ endings have been hit-or-miss so far.

In the MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios book (via The Direct), WandaVision head writer Jac Schaeffer explains some behind-the-scenes details of Marvel Studios that help understand why multiple MCU series have had lackluster endings. Schaeffer talked about WandaVision‘s series finale — which featured some disappointing conclusions to the mysteries surrounding Evan Peters’ character and White Vision, delved into a classic MCU CGI final fight, and more — saying, “The finale was just this ongoing question… Which is pretty typical for Marvel projects—the climax of a Marvel movie is just iterated and iterated until the very end.”

Schaeffer then explains how the MCU’s fast expansion hurt shows. According to the WandaVision head writer, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige “was occasionally required to show up on set” of shows to “settle ‘creative differences’ spats.” That leads to Schaeffer saying, “As a result, most Marvel shows were sturdier at the beginning than at the end. Writers were hamstrung in their efforts to build up to a satisfying conclusion because they had to leave room to maneuver at the end of every storyline, knowing that the studio might abruptly change its future plans for a given character,” which explains the MCU show ending issue. Check out the full quote below:

“The finale was just this ongoing question… Which is pretty typical for Marvel projects—the climax of a Marvel movie is just iterated and iterated until the very end…And as the Marvel Universe spread ever larger, Feige was juggling more and more active film and TV sets. Feige was largely a hands-off executive, but in this new era, he was occasionally required to show up on set to soothe ruffled feathers and settle “creative differences” spats. As a result, most Marvel shows were sturdier at the beginning than at the end. Writers were hamstrung in their efforts to build up to a satisfying conclusion because they had to leave room to maneuver at the end of every storyline, knowing that the studio might abruptly change its future plans for a given character.“

Why WandaVision’s Success Makes MCU’s Show Ending Issue More Complicated

WandaVision was Marvel Studios’ first series, and its resonating success meant Marvel’s next shows had a high bar to follow. Despite being so successful, WandaVision‘s final episode showed multiple aspects that would become recurring complaints regarding MCU shows’ endings; however, given how the Elizabeth Olsen series ended on a positive note despite some issues, Marvel might have forgotten to take what didn’t work for the show’s ending and avoid it from being repeated in other series. Thankfully, Marvel is now making big changes to its TV output, looking to hire showrunners and more, so MCU TVshow endings should improve in the universe’s future.

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