The Marvel Cinematic Universe at present is nearly unrecognizable from what it was ten years in the past. Again in 2014, the franchise was barreling full-speed forward to an epic Thanos-centric conclusion. Today, it has been trotting alongside in seemingly no actual route. In 2014, it felt groundbreaking when “Guardians of the Galaxy” allowed the MCU to go full space-fantasy journey; these days, these films go to house prefer it’s nothing. In 2014, Robert Downey Jr. was enjoying Tony Stark, a.ok.a. Iron Man; now he is enjoying… Physician Doom? Issues are getting bizarre.
At this yr’s San Diego Comedian-Con, the massive RDJ information overshadowed a smaller, funnier revelation, which is {that a} joke from a decade in the past has now come full circle. In 2014, Marvel president Kevin Feige introduced Section 3 of the MCU and pranked followers by asserting that Captain America 3 can be titled “Captain America: Serpent Society.” In response to one reporter overlaying the occasion, this announcement was met with disappointment and confusion from the viewers: “Nearly instantly all of the grunts and groans in regards to the title might collectively be heard throughout the globe. One among my associates requested me, ‘What the f*** is Serpent Society?’ Legitimate query.”
Then Feige revealed this was a joke, and that the precise title can be “Captain America: Civil Warfare,” which followers had a a lot simpler time getting hyped for. The Civil Warfare arc was an enormous one within the Marvel comics: a climactic occasion that almost all followers have been already at the least considerably aware of. In hindsight, this prank was the proper solution to get followers much more excited in regards to the upcoming movie. By setting expectations low a couple of minutes earlier, the actual information had a a lot stronger impression.
What’s the Serpent Society, anyway?
On the San Diego Comedian-Con 2024, actor Giancarlo Esposito got here on stage and revealed that he’ll be enjoying Sidewinder, the King of the Serpent Society. The subsequent “Captain America” film will not have “Serpent Society” in its title, however the mysterious group will nonetheless be enjoying a task within the story.
So, what precisely is the Serpent Society? Within the comics they are a group of sneaky villains who’re clearly as much as no good, confirming the age-old adage, “By no means belief a gaggle with snake-like phrases of their identify.” Some of the well-known members from their group is Madame Hydra, which can certain sound acquainted to followers of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” That film launched Hydra as an evil Nazi-adjacent group that was attempting (and principally succeeding) to destroy SHIELD from the within.
Some could say that the Serpent Society is just a little too bizarre and off-putting for mainstream audiences. But when there’s something that is modified for the higher since 2014, it is that Marvel (and Marvel’s informal viewers) are much more on board with bizarre stuff within the films. Comedian e book followers have virtually absolutely gained the tradition wars by this level, which implies that even when Marvel did throw “Serpent Society” into the brand new film’s title, it in all probability would not elicit the identical confusion and groans from the viewers. Ten years later, this form of storyline should still appear just a little goofy, but it surely’s removed from the weirdest factor we have seen within the MCU.
“Captain America: Courageous New World” will slither into theaters on February 14, 2025.