In 2012, 'The Avengers' proved that the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' (MCU) was a viable blockbuster strategy. It was the culmination of four years of individual films (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Hulk) that shared a single continuity. Directed by Joss Whedon, the film successfully balanced an ensemble cast of high-profile superheroes. It grossed over $1.5 billion, making it the first Marvel film to cross the billion-dollar mark. This success changed how other studios approached blockbusters, leading to a decade where every major studio attempted to create 'shared universes' to replicate Marvel’s long-term storytelling and financial consistency.