‘Marvel One-Shots’ Could Go To YouTube — Ancillary And Anticipatory Content To Feed The Masses

Marvel has been pretty good keeping the masses enthralled with entertaining content coming to the big screen. If anyone recalls the “Marvel One-Shots,” they were short films attached to the special features of Marvel’s Blu-ray and DVD releases that used to entertain viewers by keeping them connected the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Although the studios do have a plan to come out with three movies each year, there comes those in-between times to keep fans entertained regarding the comic book movies.

"@MarvelAUNZ: #MarvelOneShot All Hail the King – with #Thor The #Dark World on Blu-ray March 5 pic.twitter.com/XMKkSx5QJN" @TROISEY

— Dan (@alongiie) February 9, 2014

The Russo brothers said, in an interview with Forbes, they had other means by which to distribute this short form of entertainment since DVD/Blu-rays are dropping in sales due to online streaming and video on demand.

Though “Marvel One-Shots” weren’t mentioned by name, the Russo brothers were asked about the issue of distributing their DVD/Blu-ray extras when the physical media is starting to be phased out. This is where the mention of YouTube came to play. Anthony Russo said he couldn’t provide further details on this, but did talk about the involvement regarding their future two-part Avengers sequel.

“We can’t go into too many details about this but we are thinking, very specifically, about to do new ways of what you are talking about with Avengers: Infinity War. We’re just in the beginning phases of figuring them out. Yes, DVDs are gone but there is this wonderful internet platform out there called YouTube.”

An example of this is the already existing Walking Dead webisodes showing others experiencing the zombie apocalypse in other areas of the country, as well as Fear the Walking Dead Flight 462 shorts that played during commercial breaks on this season of The Walking Dead and also on YouTube. The Russo brothers were asked if their ideas likened with the aforementioned zombie example.

Joe Russo said it could be done, but in addition he talked about “ancillary content” to entertain Marvel fans via social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This could all eliminate the hassle of buying Blu-rays and DVDs, and just having the content available at the click of a remote control.

“We’re also talking to Facebook and Twitter and Instagram about ways to feed ancillary content to them and to viewers because it’ll go viral there and you can reach millions of people.”

“Marvel One-Shot” short videos tend to be continuations or even introductions to new characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For instance, one of the One-Shots was of Agent Phil Coulson, played by Clark Gregg, that continues from the post-credits scene of Iron Man 2 and introducing Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, serving as a connection to the Thor film.

Then there’s the One-Shot of Peggy Carter, played by Hayley Atwell, that introduces her as an independently capable woman able to handle a deadly mission on her own. This was enough to impress Howard Stark — and ABC, which gave her a series based off the character.

https://twitter.com/Director_007/status/553699885573484545

So as you can see, some of these short clips were enough to make an impact in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Then there was the funny Marvel One-Shot: “All Hail The King,” starring Ben Kingsley, that showed his aftermath following Iron Man 3.

Keep in mind, there are DVD/Blu-ray packages out there that advertise the behind-the-scenes content, extras, and of course the “Marvel One-Shots” as well. Some even come with fancy prop art like a S.H.I.E.L.D. attache’ case and then there’s the Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired orb set. Those may be worth getting in order to have them dress up your shelf.

On the other hand, with YouTube comes more possibilities, and, according to Cinema Blend, can allow for “multiple One Shot films” over a certain time frame.

Perhaps Avengers: Infinity War and other Marvel movies could wind up being one of the projects subject to these Marvel One-Shots? Between now and 2019 there are probably a lot of ideas to be had when keeping fans entertained between big movie blockbusters.

[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney]