This isn’t about Iron Man. It’s about what happens when the biggest film franchise in the world chooses nostalgia over risk, legacy over originality, and comfort over challenge.

In this raw and personal episode, Tray Epps breaks down what RDJ’s return to the MCU really signals:

• Disney’s ongoing shift away from originality toward safer, proven IP
• The erasure of newer creative voices in favor of familiar icons
• The unspoken moral inconsistencies behind casting decisions
• And why the art of superhero cinema may be quietly dying

We also touch on:

• Jonathan Majors and the uncomfortable optics of replacement
• The moral posturing Disney tries to maintain (and where it fails)
• Why it’s time to give new talent real chances — and real redemption

This isn’t a hot take. It’s a call for accountability, nuance, and better storytelling — on screen and off.

🎤 New episodes coming soon with filmmaker Kate Driver and more.

🎥 Subscribe and stay tuned for deeper dives into film, culture, and the future of media.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Are we watching the MCU reset or collapse?

Should we separate the art from the artist — or hold studios to a higher standard?

Let’s talk: @RequiredWatching on socials or drop a YouTube comment.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

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