Hollywood Legend Drew Struzan's Epic Marvel Poster: A Lost Opportunity
The world of cinema has lost one of its greatest artists, and with him, a piece of movie magic. Drew Struzan, the legendary painter of movie posters, never got the chance to create a poster for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). But that doesn't mean his influence on the franchise is over. In 2003, five years before the MCU's inception, Struzan painted a special poster featuring the heroes and villains of the MCU, which was given away at San Diego Comic Con.
Struzan's illustration, created using acrylic paint and colored pencil on gessoed board, showcased Spider-Man surrounded by Marvel heavy-hitters, including Captain America, The Hulk, Wolverine, and Doctor Doom. This work was commissioned as a give-away poster but was also designed to be a four-fold comic book cover. While Marvel never used it for that purpose, the design was later used as box art for the Marvel Origins trading card game booster set and a 2007 Marvel Masterpieces set.
Struzan's 2003 SDCC illustration is a rare glimpse into his take on Marvel characters. The MCU has since produced posters that pay homage to Struzan's work, with the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' posters mimicking the style of the space opera that launched Struzan's Hollywood career. The 'Avengers' movie posters also show clear influences from the late artist, with Marvel opting for a more hand-drawn aesthetic on the 'Avengers: Endgame' poster.
Despite the MCU's success, the fact that Struzan never got to create an official MCU poster seems almost trivial. But the more you think about it, the more it seems like a missed opportunity. Struzan's retirement in 2008, the same year Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark arrived, further highlights the loss. While we may never see what an actual Struzan MCU poster might look like, his legacy lives on through the posters he created and the influence he had on the industry.
The question remains: What would Struzan have done with the MCU? The answer may never be known, but his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, ensuring his legacy in the world of cinema.
