The Marvel Cinematic Universe Will Never Turn To The Dark Side

In reality, if someone was actually a superhero, they probably wouldn't have a cheery demeanor. There's nothing funny about killing someone or putting your life on the line for others. Yet in the movies, and specifically the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the superheroes almost always go about their jobs with a sense of humor. From Iron Man to Age of Ultron, the Marvel Movies are generally light and sometimes downright hilarious. That's one of the many ways Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has distinguished his films from decidedly darker superhero films like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy.

And while the MCU has certainly carved out its own unique niche, the cloud of Nolan is always hovering. Will the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever take a turn that puts it on a path of darkness? According to Feige, no. Read his quote and more below.

Feige was doing a Q&A with Reddit (via Comic Book Movie) after a screening of Avengers: Age of Ultron when this was said. There's no video or the exact quote, but here's how the journalist reported his statement:

There is no dark turn in the MCU. [Feige] says every year fans come up to him and ask him if this movie is when the MCU goes "dark" or takes a "dark" turn. He said while the trailers may seem ominous or have a sense of impending doom, the movies do not have that feel, and will not. He said he "Hoped people would catch on by now" – there will be no giant dark turns in the MCU where it then continues to head in that direction. The humor is in the DNA of the movies, there are no plans to change that.

The Reddit reporter later had to clarify Feige's statements. He doesn't mean dark things won't happen in the films. People can die, there can be destruction, tragedy, etc. But the overall tone of the films won't change. There won't be some kind of big shift down a more realistic, serious path.

Some might find this disappointing, but that lack of seriousness is what makes the Marvel movies so unique and special. Take Guardians of the Galaxy for example. That's a hilarious movie that weaves in darker moments – such as the stuff with Star Lord's mom – to great effect. Star Lord sees his dead mother when he's close to dying himself. That's pretty dark but you'd never describe Guardians as a dark film. In fact, the humorous tone makes moments like that even more powerful and rewarding.

The latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Avengers: Age of Ultron, is now in theaters. The next one, Ant-Man, will be out July 17 and Phase Three begins next May with Captain America: Civil War.