In a world filled with CGI spectacles and superheroes flying at every turn, Tom Hanks—legendary actor and beloved storyteller—has stepped forward with a poignant critique that Marvel and the rest of Hollywood may need to hear. Hanks isn’t one to mince words, and in a candid reflection on superhero films, he challenges the very heart of the genre: “And the story is what? And the theme is what? And the point of this movie is what?”
These aren’t idle questions. For an actor who’s navigated iconic roles in Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, and Apollo 13, story is everything. And as the MCU enters Phase 5, it faces an undeniable fatigue with audiences increasingly tired of predictable plots and hollow CGI. Hanks points out that, while technology has made nearly anything possible on screen, visuals alone no longer captivate audiences like they did in Christopher Reeve’s Superman days. Back then, the wonder lay in the sheer magic of seeing a man fly. Today, in a market oversaturated with CGI perfection, that wonder is gone unless it’s anchored in something more meaningful—something audiences can feel.
The MCU’s post-Endgame releases have struggled to match the heights of their predecessors, with movies like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania failing to reach the critical acclaim of earlier Marvel giants. Hanks suggests that with endless blockbuster content and streaming choices at our fingertips, studios can no longer rely on formulas. A superhero film must go beyond flashy costumes and special effects—it must resonate emotionally. “We’re in an evolutionary place,” he says, where the story and theme matter more than ever.
This isn’t just Hanks’ take, either. Hollywood’s top execs, like Disney CEO Bob Iger, seem to be waking up to this reality. Earlier this year, Iger announced plans to cut back on the sheer volume of Marvel content, reducing the number of TV series from four to two per year and cutting film releases by half. This shift, echoing Hanks’ views, acknowledges a need for quality over quantity, an opportunity to focus on narrative depth rather than visual overload. The MCU, having taken viewers on a massive journey over the last 15 years, now faces the challenge of delivering stories that strike a chord as Iron Man and The Avengers once did.
DC Studios has similarly embraced this shift, with new co-CEO James Gunn emphasizing storytelling in his ambitious vision for the DC Universe. His upcoming Creature Commandos series reflects a desire to break new ground, seeking depth and originality to attract a more discerning audience. It’s a gamble but also a necessary evolution.
Hanks acknowledges the challenge this shift represents, hinting that top executives won’t be thrilled to abandon a proven template. But it’s a challenge worth taking on. While Hanks himself may not be suiting up for a superhero role anytime soon, his blunt words offer a powerful call to action for Hollywood: bring back the soul in storytelling. As the superhero genre reaches a crossroads, perhaps Tom Hanks’ rallying cry is exactly what Marvel and DC need to hear to keep audiences invested for the next generation.
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