(Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios)
Walking out of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” I was basking in a feeling I’ve not experienced for several years: Excitement for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Hello, old friend, it’s been far too long.Clearly I wasn’t the only one who rushed out to see Tom Holland’s fourth solo outing as the world’s most popular superhero. In North America, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” brought in an amazing $360 million in its opening weekend, which marks the biggest domestic debut in box office history. Analysts predict that by the end of its run, the comic book flick could gross more than $2 billion worldwide, with more records to tumble.The film represents the strength of the Spider-Man brand, the popularity of this incarnation of the character, and a much-needed win for the MCU after several years of struggle in the wake of 2020's “Avengers: Endgame.” With the return of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes due on December 18, when “Avengers: Doomsday” arrives, it would be easy to declare the “MCU is back!”Perhaps it is. There’s every possibility the one-two punch of Spider-Man and the Avengers is just the start of a second golden era of box-office-breaking Marvel movies, but there’s also reason for caution. The MCU looks to be on the right track, but the magic isn’t fully restored. The MCU’s toughest tests are still to come, and they’ll be fought without Spidey.(This article includes spoilers for “Spider-Man Brand New Day.” You’ve been warned!)‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ might have cured my Marvel fatigue
