Marvel Cinematic Universe Executive Says Franchise Will Never Go Dark

04/13/2017 05:35 pm EDT

In just over a year, the superhero section of Hollywood has been crowded with a new kind of theatricality. 20th Century Fox proved that gritty, R-rated blockbusters had a home with comic book fans thanks to the likes of Deadpool and Logan. Over at DC Entertainment, the studio's launch of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice nodded back to previous films like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight franchise. Dark is the name of the game when it comes to superheroes these days, but it looks like one major franchise isn't willing to bend under pressure.

If you have wondered if the Marvel Cinematic Universe would ever go dark, then you don't have to guess any longer. In the past, Kevin Feige has made it clear that the films will not embrace such a tonal shift, and fans are finding comfort in the executive's promise.

Even before Logan or Batman v Superman made their debuts, Feige stressed the MCU was secure in its own style of storytelling. Netizens clung to words which the producer shared at fan-attended screenings of Avengers: Age of Ultron, and those reports have resurfaced under growing concern for the MCU.

At one screening of the Avengers sequel, fans reported that Feige promised "there is no dark turn in the MCU."

"He 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."

While the MCU may not plan to go dark, that is not to say its films don't have their gritty moments. In Captain America: Civil War, fans were left bereft as Iron Man and Captain America let loose on one another in an unstoppable grudge match. Doctor Strange dipped into the dark side thanks to Kaecilius' zealous behavior, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 may go dark when Star-Lord's father is introduced. However, just as Feige said, each of these movies balance out their darker moments with slapstick humor and witty quips.

There's no telling if the MCU may alter its stance on going dark side, but Feige still seems confident about the franchise's direction thus far. With so many blockbusters under its belt, it is clear that the MCU is doing something right with its films. If it's not broken, then Marvel Studios has no business fixing it.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2017.

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