PRESS CLUB C Podcast with Ray Keating – Episode #53: Disney+ Needs Loki to Excel

After “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” fell short, Ray argues that Disney really needs “Loki” to excel. Tune in now!

MCU Needs “Loki” to be Really Good (or a Late Review of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”)

by Ray Keating

Review/Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 11, 2021

 

I probably have mentioned this before, but when movie technology finally caught up to comic book superheroes, I was like a kid again. Here were the heroes I read about since my childhood in the pages of comics brought to life in captivating ways on the big screen. And after an incredible run of movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along came Disney+ announcing that this intertwined story of heroes and villains would be extended to its streaming service as well. Cool.

 

Unfortunately, the first two series – WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – fell short in the end. Now, the MCU and Disney+ need Loki to step it up.

WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier came undone in assorted ways, but in a major way by losing a lifeline that most of the MCU movies had to the best of comic books, that is, delivering a coherent, exciting, action-packed story while communicating a clear sense of right and wrong, and there being consequences for assorted actions.

 

As I explained in a review of WandaVision, here was a show that started with a fascinating premise that had the audience wondering, guessing and wanting more. But then the show not only turned in a more pedestrian and flawed direction in terms of the storytelling, but it failed in an essential way:

 

WandaVision’s creators ultimately chickened out. They set up a story that cried out for wrestling with evil actions taken by a “hero,” but viewers got nothing, other than a lame, passing “I’m sorry” from Wanda. 

 

Unfortunately, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier never really hit the early heights that WandaVision did, but its ultimate fall was somewhat similar.

 

As for the characters, Sebastian Stan could have been interesting as Bucky, with his attempts to deal with the sins that he committed as the Winter Soldier. While the possibility was introduced, nothing very interesting was done with it, or quite frankly, with Bucky in general.

 

Indeed, nothing much compelling was done with either Bucky or Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/The Falcon during the entire 6-episode series. I was left wondering if Mackie and Stan simply don’t have enough in the acting tank, or if they were not given enough by the showrunners. The show turns out to be about two of Captain America’s sidekicks, who aren’t really cutting it as the main heroes. 

 

There are other problems as well, such as John Walker – Wyatt Russell as Captain America – too quickly descending into a dark place.

 

But two big issues loom with the overall series. First, the showrunners desperately wanted to say something relevant about today’s racial issues. And there’s nothing wrong with creators saying something through their work. But it’s done here in uneven, clunky ways, with points crammed in here and there in awkward ways. Indeed, there was no subtlety or having such matters fit smoothly into the story. Instead, it was all rather heavy handed at the expense of the story. For good measure, at the expense of Steve Rogers’ Captain America as well, as the writers apparently really liked having characters derisively referring, more than once, to a “blond hair and blue eyes” Cap. While trying to move on from one of the MCU favorite characters in Steve Rogers’ Cap, why do it in such a way as to seemingly tarnish the original Captain America? Perhaps the showrunners didn’t intend that, but it certainly was how it came across.

 

And then there is The Falcon and the Winter Soldier falling prey to the same key shortcoming that hit WandaVision about confusing right and wrong. The view that Sam Wilson takes toward the key “villain,” who is a murderer and terrorist, is bewildering, to say the least. Sam treats her sympathetically, even bringing her dead body down from the sky with wings spread out like an angel. Really?

 

Along these lines, the reasons for the terrorists’ actions were murky, and when finally revealed – well, sort of revealed – none of the characters really knew what to do, including Sam now as Captain America, who served up a rambling incoherent speech. 

 

Both Disney+ Marvel shows, though, point to a reluctance to say something clear about right and wrong. But again, that has always been at the center of superhero comic books, especially as they offered little moral lessons to children. And that carried well into the MCU movies. But not in these Disney+ shows, which leaves one with a question: Why?

 

Finally, it’s troubling for a series when the most interesting character by far only gets a few minutes of screen time, and largely as a tip of the hat to future MCU projects. Julia-Louise Dreyfuss, as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, steals each of her scenes. She’s having a good time, and the audience wants to enjoy time with her as well. It’s amazing what happens when an interesting character is portrayed by a real talent.

Courtesy of Marvel.com

As was evidenced by the last three Star Wars films, faith can be lost with the public when even a beloved series falls flat. But as The Mandalorian also made clear, quality storytelling can restore faith and win back audiences. Here’s to hoping that Loki starts to re-ignite some MCU magic.

 

Yes, Loki needs to be good, really good.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

“Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and "Heroes and Villains"

With the arrival of Zack Snyder’s Justice League and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+, what’s the ideal read to join these tales of superheroes? Consider Ray Keating’s Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.

Stephen Grant, onetime Navy SEAL, former CIA operative and current Lutheran pastor, finds himself in an entirely unfamiliar setting – a comic book, science fiction and fantasy convention. But he still joins forces with a unique set of heroes in an attempt to foil a villainous plot against one of the all-time great comic book writers and artists. Reviewers love the adventure...

 

“An entertaining, immersive jaunt with a formidable protagonist.”  - Kirkus Reviews

 

“Keating's creativity and storytelling ability remain on point, for a fun and different take on Pastor Grant, and one that's just as satisfying as longer books in the series.”  - Self-Publishing Review

 

“Heroes and Villains … is an enjoyable romp complete with the gritty realism of the Burton Batman films, the camp of the Adam West adventures of the 60's, and the modern humor of LEGO Batman. If you know the adventures of the Avengers from the movies or the pages, dream of the day of decent DC films, or love the experience of Comic-Con, Heroes and Villains is the read for you! … How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!”  - Lutheran Book Review

 

“This is a fantastic novel... If you are a comic book fan who is fed up with the political correctness that's going on, you have got to pick up Heroes and Villains... I highly recommend this book... I'm definitely going to be paying more attention to Ray Keating, and getting more of his novels.”  - Jacob Airey, host of StudioJake

WandaVision Off to a Wonderfully Quirky Start

 by Ray Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

January 16, 2021

 

Finally, there’s a television show that combines my arcane knowledge of classic television sitcoms, and my love for Marvel Comics since childhood. Who would’ve thought such a thing would ever exist? But WandaVision is anything but typical, and it’s off to a wonderfully quirky and intriguing start on Disney+.

 

The first two episodes – without giving anything major away – offered the veneer of two classic sitcoms (clearly, The Dick Van Dyke Show and Bewitched), with clear signals that much more is at work below the surface. After all, this is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and if you saw Avengers: Endgame, then you know there’s a great deal more that will be revealed as to what’s actually occurring.

 

There are probably three main groups taking in WandaVision. The first are those with knowledge of key moments in the actual comic books in terms of the relationship between Wanda (a.k.a. Scarlett Witch) and the Vision. They are left wondering what parts of those comics might wind up on screen in this Disney+ series.

 

The second group knows the movies, understands how things ended for these two characters, and is trying to figure out what’s real and illusion.

 

And finally, there are those who have not watched the movies, don’t know the comics, and have flipped over because they have a Disney+ subscription. For that group, good luck. My advice is go back and watch the movies. If not, at least check out the first two Marvel Studios: Legends episodes on Disney+ focused on Wanda and Vision, and try to enjoy the mysterious ride.

 

WandaVision has a run of nine episodes, running through March 5. I’m certainly looking forward to the next seven Friday nights, expecting twists, turns, mysteries, revelations, action, and hopefully, more tips of the hat to classic sitcoms.

 

What happens after that? Well, two weeks later, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series premieres on Disney+.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating’s new book Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Disney Investor Day Update 4: Marvel on Disney+ and in Theaters

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

December 10, 2020

 

During the December 10 Walt Disney Company’s Investor Day 2020 online event, the Marvel slate for Disney+ and movies was updated.

 

We already knew that WandaVision will debut on Disney+ on January 15. But we also got dates (well, months) for when some other already-announced series would premiere. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – described by Kevin Feige as a movie played out over six episodes – will arrive in March 2021. Loki, being classified as a crime thriller, comes in May 2021. The animated What If…? series arrives in the summer of 2021.

Late in 2021, both Ms. Marvel and Hawkeye will land on Disney+.

 

After noting that She Hulk and Moon Knight are still happening, Feige announced other series – Secret Invasion starring Sam Jackson as Nick Fury; Ironheart; Armor Wars with Don Cheadle; and coming in late 2023, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

 

In terms of new information on the MCU movies front, Feige noted that the role of Black Panther will not be recast, and work on Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four, has begun, and it will be directed by Jon Watts.

 

Also, Peyton Reed will direct the third Ant-Man film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and it will include Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror.

 

Finally, it was interesting to hear Bob Iger declare that Disney+ will be producing 100+ new titles each year.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. Pre-order the latest thriller/mystery in the series – Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel – for the Kindle or signed books. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

Also, get the paperback or Kindle edition of Ray Keating’s new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York.

Disneynomics: Disney’s Near-Infinite Opportunities with Marvel

 by Ray Keating

Disneynomics Column

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 27, 2020

 

When The Walt Disney Company purchased Marvel for $4 billion in 2009, then-Disney CEO Bob Iger said, “This is perfect from a strategic perspective. This treasure trove of over 5,000 characters offers Disney the ability to do what we do best.” But I doubt that Iger at the time fully grasped the vast opportunities that would open up.

Looking at what’s happened at the box office for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with 23 movies raking in almost $23 billion, the success of this deal should be obvious to all. Toss in all of the related revenues, and simply based on the movies so far, Disney’s purchase of Marvel turns out to be one of the greatest deals in Hollywood history. Ah, but there is and will be so much more.

 

Indeed, as time passes, the Disney-Marvel deal should prove to be far more lucrative and impressive, as long as storytellers continue telling quality stories, of course. The gains promise not only to come via movie theaters (post-COVID-19), but thanks to the Disney+ streaming service.

 

Consider a couple of recent news items regarding Marvel and Disney+. 

 

Variety reported that, according to sources, Samuel L. Jackson will be back as Nick Fury in a Disney+ series. It was noted, “The exact plot details of the show are being kept under wraps, but multiple sources say Jackson is attached to star with Kyle Bradstreet attached to write and executive produce.” Jackson’s Fury has played a key role in the MCU on the big screen.

And then there’s the release of an extensive trailer for the forthcoming Disney+ series WandaVision, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. the Scarlett Witch, and Paul Bettany as Vision. WandaVision looks fascinating and reportedly will arrive on Disney+ in December.

 

Also coming to Disney+ is The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki – some time in 2021. What If…? will be an animated series also coming in 2021. What else? Reports point to Disney+ Marvel shows titled Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, and She-Hulk. 

 

What makes the Disney-Marvel deal increasingly fascinating, even though it was signed and sealed eleven years ago, is that with 5,000+ characters, Disney now has  multiple times 5,000 stories to tap. For one of the great storytelling companies in history, this equates to a near-infinite amount of resources. Tales from the pages of decades of Marvel comic books have been waiting to come alive via the silver screen and now via online streaming. That time is now.

 

It’s already is well under way, of course, with some classic comic stories feeding into the movies, and now, apparently, into WandaVision. Yes, the stories of the Scarlett Witch and Vision, together and apart, offer a wealth of potential material, from the madness of Wanda to Vision trying to synthesize a normal life – with dire consequences in each case. (What? Hey, read the comics, man!) Consider these backgrounds, and check out how Disney describes WandaVision: “The series is a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.”

 

And Nick Fury? Well, in the comics, his stories range from the battlefields of World War II to espionage and running SHIELD to saving the world from afar.

So, consider everything you’ve already seen at the movies with the MCU – along with what Fox and Sony have offered, such as the X-Men and Spider-Man – the ABC television shows Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Marvel shows that appeared on Netflix (i.e., Daredevil, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Defenders). Add in what we know is coming from Marvel for Disney+. 

 

Oh, yeah, and note the forthcoming Marvel movies – Black Widow on May 7, 2021, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on July 9, 2021, Eternals on November 5, 2021, Thor: Love and Thunder on February 11, 2022; Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on March 25, 2022; Black Panther 2 still scheduled for May 6, 2022, and Captain Marvel 2 on July 8, 2022.

 

“Wow” would not be an unreasonable reaction to all of this. And yet, it barely scratches the surface of what’s available for Disney thanks to Marvel. Sure, Disney’s deal to get Star Wars was impressive, but it likely will pale in comparison to the ongoing results from buying Marvel.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

Also, get the paperback or Kindle edition of Ray Keating’s new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York.

 

Disney Earnings Beat Expectations and More Coming from Marvel and Star Wars for Disney+

by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

February 4, 2020

The Walt Disney Company beat market earnings expectations for its first-quarter fiscal year 2020 (ending on December 28, 2019), as reported today. There were interesting facts reported on a variety of fronts, including regarding Marvel, Star Wars, streaming services, and theme parks.

Consider some key points that emerged from the earnings call, the earnings report, and an interview that Disney CEO Bob Iger did with CNBC:

• Disney+ subscriptions hit 26.5 million at the end of 2019, and registered 28.6 million as of Monday, February 3. That nicely beat market expectations of between 20 and 25 million. In terms of sources, 50 percent of Disney+ subscribers have come from the Disney+ website, 20 percent from Verizon and its one-year-free offer, and the other 30 percent from additional sources/partners.

• ESPN+ subscriptions showed impressive growth as well. As of November 7 of last year, ESPN+ had 3.5 million subscribers. That grew to 6.6 million at the end of 2019, and hit 7.6 million on February 3. That’s more than double where it stood in early November. Clearly, the Disney+/ESPN+/Hulu package has been a hit.

• Hulu subscribers registered 30.4 million at the end of 2019, and came in at 30.7 million on February 3. Consider that Hulu had 22.8 million subscribers at the end of 2018. FX content and production is going to play a big part for Hulu content going forward, and Iger noted that the company plans on making an international push on Hulu in 2021, after the big initial push for Disney+.

• Iger noted that in addition to three Marvel Disney+ shows coming soon – The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (debuting in August), WandaVision (coming in December) and Loki– there are seven more Marvel shows in various stages of production. And yes, they will tie in with the Marvel movie universe and future films.

• As for Star Wars, Iger reiterated that the short-term emphasis is on Disney+ shows – noting the expectation for spinoffs from The Mandalorian (season 2 coming in October). However, future feature films are in development as well.

• On the theme parks front, it was noted that traditionally 18 percent to 22 percent of domestic park attendance comes on the international front, though attendance from Asia is “not significant,” with only Japan breaking into the top five nations in terms of attendance at Disneyland.

• Revenue at Disney’s domestic parks was up 10 percent in the quarter, with income up 6 percent. There was a 2 percent income gain in attendance, 10 percent in per capita spending, and four percent via hotels. As noted in the earnings report: “Growth at our domestic parks and resorts was due to higher guest spending and, to a lesser extent, increased attendance, partially offset by higher costs. Guest spending growth was primarily due to higher average ticket prices and an increase in food, beverage and merchandise spending. Higher costs were due to new guest offerings, driven by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and the impact of wage increases for union employees.”

• Iger highlighted an increase in Disney brand popularity among younger people thanks to the success of Disney+.

• The Walt Disney Company had earnings per share of $1.53 in the first quarter, which beat market expectations that were around $1.44. Total revenues were up by 36 percent compared to the same quarter in the previous year, with operating income up 9 percent.

That was a strong first quarter for Disney. The big questions looming in the short run are tied to how long the Shanghai and Hong Kong theme parks will be closed due to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, streaming promises to get an added boost with Disney+ going live in late March in much of Western Europe and in India.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.