Marvel Comics Adaptations in the World of Fan Films
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a global phenomenon. It is a franchise that has continually produced at the box office, with millions of tickets being sold. The films often received positive critical reviews, too, making them one of the biggest to have ever been produced in Hollywood.
To add further context to the MCU’s success, a third of the top-grossing films in the top 15 are from the franchise (five in total). “Avengers: Endgame” has grossed $2,799,439,100 during its lifetime, ranking it second and sandwiched between the two Avatar films. A list of the top MCU films based on gross revenues looks as follows:
- Avengers: Endgame – $2,799,439,100 – #2 overall
- Avengers: Infinity War – $2,052,415,039 – #6 overall
- Spider-Man: No Way Home – $1,921,847,111 – #7 overall
- The Avengers – $1,520,538,536 – #10 overall
- Avengers: Age of Ultron – $1,405,018,048 – #15 overall
Multiple fan films highlight the passion people have for Marvel
As a result of their popularity, it’s unsurprising that so many fan films have been made featuring the many comic book characters that have become famed through the MCU.
According to an IMDb listicle, 32 movies had already been made by fans of the iconic comic book franchise. There has been a diverse amount of films produced, live-action, short films, and unauthorized versions of all films have all been created.
These movies have been created based on the characters that make up the Marvel Universe, with Spider-Man being the most popular of those listed. Almost half of all of these are those based on the Peter Parker persona of Spider-Man.
Evidently, with all those options and the triumph that the current MCU has had, there is a lot of love and passion for this franchise. This also doesn’t seem to be slowing down, so it is good news for the fans.
New box office hits are continuously being churned out of the MCU with characters who have not previously been given the limelight or newer superheroes are being created to make the franchise more current and to keep up with the times, thereby making it more relatable and engaging with its viewers.
Could you create your own Marvel-inspired fan film?
For huge fans of the franchise or those who fancy themselves as movie directors, the Marvel series can be a great way to have fun and create an unofficial flick that others may enjoy.
Although you’d have to be careful not to rip off the original releases, there are various ways in which the stories can be recreated or the way that certain things may appear. Of course, copyright is a huge thing, and with the ability to use features like free music, templates, and stock footage, it can be possible to create your own version of a comic book hit.
Perhaps it would be best to look to go against the grain and consider making a short film about key characters that do not get the airtime or attention that they may deserve. For instance, you could look to make a film about the life of a secondary character and give them a story that could give an entirely different perspective.
What are the best Marvel comic-adapted fan movies?
If you are considering giving any of these fan-made movies a watch to try and further any passion that you may have for the Marvel universe, then it might be worth thinking about the following titles as all have been ranked 8.0+ on the IMDb database:
- Spider-Man 2: Age of Darkness – released in 2014
- Web of Spider-Man – released in 2014
- Forming the Foundation: Spider-Man and the Future Foundation – released in 2014
- The Punisher: Dirty Laundry – released in 2012
But, if you are searching for a good low-budget fan-made movie that is a bit older and is before when technology makes experiences very immersive, then you should watch the 1992 version of “The Green Goblin’s Last Stand”. Another Spider-Man-themed movie, this one has also done very well with the viewers, as it has 7.1 out of 10 stars on IMBd and has left many agreeing that it focuses on the best story of this Marvel character and is among the best fan films to have ever been created.
Indeed, there are so many options already available to explore and further any passion you may have for the MCU. Who knows, you might find a fan-made one is better in aspects than those that have been released in theatres as they align with the thoughts and ideas you may have had.
