If you doubt the impact and scope of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, just look at the impact it has had on superhero films. The MCU made every other studio crave its own multimedia, cross-platform “cinematic universe” series, but it also had a strong influence on the look, feel, and tone of most superhero movies and TV shows. Just take a look at the first trailer for “Secret Headquarters”, Paramount’s upcoming film starring Owen Wilson as a tech-driven superhero.
According to the trailer, his character was empowered as the guardian of the Earth by a Green Lantern-style alien intelligence. But the iconography, from the glowing blue object in the center of his supersuit’s chest plate to the glowing interface that surrounds him in the suit as he flies, is pure MCU Iron Man imagery. Even bringing in Michael Peña as a comedic character is a previous move by the MCU.
It’s not that “Secret Headquarters” is much like a MCU movie in terms of target audience or central plot. It’s actually more like Robert Rodriguez’s 2001 Spy Kids, where the children of a pair of high-tech international super spies learn their parents’ secret and then become involved in an international standoff.
Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Shulman directed and co-wrote the film, which stars Wilson as a superhero whose son Charlie accidentally gains access to his secret underground lair full of high-tech alien equipment. He and his friends are surprised to learn that his father is a hero. Paramount’s summary of what’s next: “When the villains attack, they must unite to defend the headquarters and save the world.”
Secret Headquarters will debut on August 12 via Paramount Plus.
