A recent survey from the UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers found that Gen Alpha and Gen Z are hoping to see more portrayals of emotionally open and relatable men in movies and TV shows.
What’s most needed is for more fathers to genuinely enjoy being parents and openly show affection. We also need more men to step into roles as supportive guides and caregivers, rather than trying to be silent, unapproachable figures.
And now look at what Marvel is pushing into the spotlight.
Not just bigger threats, but kids, families, and legacy.
The survey angle: less lone wolf, more real connection
According to a report from UCLA and CSS, young people don’t want to see characters who are distant or emotionally unavailable. They’re looking for something different.
They want men who are emotionally available and caring – people like good fathers, mentors, coaches, and teachers. Essentially, they’re looking for genuine, compassionate individuals.
This doesn’t mean we’ll have fewer superheroes, but the kinds of heroes we see might evolve. While fantastical elements will remain important, the heart of what makes these stories resonate with audiences is shifting.
Franklin Richards is the obvious tell
Marvel introducing Franklin Richards into the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t just a cool nod to comic book history. It strongly suggests that family relationships will become a central theme in future storylines.
Franklin is the son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman from the Fantastic Four. Marvel hinting at Doctor Doom’s interest in Franklin suggests the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will focus not just on preventing disasters, but on what the heroes are fighting for – and the personal consequences of their battles.
Steve Rogers with a baby is not an accident
The quick glimpse of Steve Rogers with a baby in the Avengers: Doomsday trailer was surprisingly impactful because it instantly changed how we see his character.
He’s not meant to be a distant icon or an idealized hero. He’s a protector, someone who cares for others in a real and down-to-earth way, especially now that he’s a father.
That’s exactly the kind of “connected” portrayal the UCLA/CSS snapshot is pushing creators toward.
Thor already crossed the line from hero to guardian
Thor’s been moving toward “dad energy” for a while, but Love and Thunder made it literal.
Ultimately, he becomes a protector of Love. Marvel emphasized this in the Doomsday trailer, where Thor asked Odin to ensure his survival so he could see “my Love” again.
That’s a different kind of strength.
If Doom’s story involves his own kid, Marvel is doubling down
There’s also talk that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom story might involve his character having a son, but that’s currently just speculation.
If this is accurate, it follows a familiar trend: the next stage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe might center its main conflicts on family relationships – specifically, how far people will go when their families are threatened or used against them.
The takeaway: Marvel’s not ditching heroes, it’s rewriting what a hero looks like
Marvel doesn’t have to stop making superhero movies to stay popular. A new report from UCLA suggests they simply need to portray male characters as more relatable and human, with stronger connections to each other and the world around them.
As a huge Marvel fan, I’ve been thinking about where things are headed, and it strikes me that if they really lean into Franklin Richards as a central figure, with Steve Rogers stepping into a fatherly role and Thor becoming a protector, they’d be perfectly aligning with what younger audiences seem to want. It feels like they’d be hitting all the right notes based on what the data’s showing about what kids are responding to right now.
Then come the X-Men, with Professor Xavier as the father figure.
It’s worth remembering that Kevin Feige also produced the animated film Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, which came out in 2008 – the same year Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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2026-02-26 01:32