Part 2/10:
The recent commentary vividly criticizes Hollywood's approach to popular franchises, particularly Disney's handling of Marvel and Star Wars. Since the early days, industry insiders warned about the dangers of forcing change on beloved stories and communities. While change is natural, the problem lies in forced transformations—particularly when they prioritize message over storytelling. Disney's decision to rebrand these franchises into primarily female and gender-neutral themes, in an effort to appeal to broader audiences, has arguably been one of the costliest miscalculations in film history. The industry media finally acknowledges this late realization, with outlets like Variety discussing the studio's struggle to reconnect with its core male demographic—especially Gen Z men who have been alienated and demonized in the process.