Tom Hanks Believes the Marvel Cinematic Universe Will Be the Savior of Movie Theaters
Movie studios, movie theaters, and moviegoers alike have all had a devastating hit this year with movies being delayed, theaters closing for periods of time, and the future of the industry feeling so uncertain. Those of us who have been looking forward to many of the films that are still awaiting theatrical releases still have slivers of hope, as many movies are finished and just waiting for a time that people can gather to watch them again. But it is yet to be seen how long it will take for things to truly return to normal, or if they will at all.
But if any franchise will be the one to revive the cinema, Tom Hanks believes it is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many fans would agree that the box-office-busting films of the MCU would be the most likely candidates to welcome fans back to the movies, but it may be surprising to hear that from one of the world’s biggest stars who has never been in a superhero flick.
In a recent interview with Collider (via CBR), Hanks was asked if he believed that movie theaters were going to survive, and if they would just be "event pictures" if they did. He responded:
"A sea change was due, anyway... It was coming. Will movie theaters still exist? Absolutely, they will. In some ways, I think the exhibitors — once they're up and open — are going to have the freedom of choice of what movies they’re going to play... Big event motion pictures are going to rule the day at the cinemas... News of the World might be the last adult movie about people saying interesting things that's going to play on a big screen somewhere, because after this, in order to guarantee that people show up again, we’re going to have the Marvel Universe and all sorts of franchises."
Hanks went on to say that people want to see franchise films "writ large, because watching them at home on your couch actually might diminish them somehow in their visual punch." He added:
"But the sea change that has been brought by COVID-19 has been a slow train coming. I think there will be an awful lot of movies that will only be streamed, and I think it will be fine to see them that way because they will actually be built and made and constructed for somebody’s pretty good widescreen TV at their home."
I hope that all types of films will still play in theaters. I used to love going to see every type of film on the big screen. That included dramas, comedies, and all the award-season nominees. I’ll continue to watch at home, and will return to the theaters for all the big blockbusters for sure, but I hope for there to be a market for the “smaller” films as well.