@chickenwing Interestingly, one of the things I respect the execs behind the MCU for (Feige I suppose, although even those behind some of the very early decisions before the rise of Feige) is that they have a history of hiring relatively "indie" directors.

Starting with Jon Favreau, then Joss Whedon, the Russos, James Gunn, Peyton Reed, Taika Waititi, Ryan Coogler, Cate Shortland, Destin Daniel Cretton and Chloé Zhao and others I'm probably forgetting. These are not the sort of names you would have expected to head $100M-$250M popcorn movies with their prior experience mostly being in smaller budget movies and/or TV work. It would have been an understandable decision to hire directors with a more proven big budget epic track record, a "safe pair of hands" (ala Ron Howard who replaced Lord & Miller on Solo because they were seen to be too quirky for Lucasfilm).

Yes you could argue that Marvel homogenises their styles with a "house" look & feel wrt to cinematography, soundtrack, action scenes etc, but nevertheless, the sensibility these directors is generally infused into even their big budget MCU films. And, I'd argue, that accounts for some of their commercial success.

the studios panic and start doing weird experimental stuff with young directors.

I wonder if this is possible given the changes in distribution channel over the years. One of the reasons why theatrical releases are dominated by big-budget four-quadrant movies is because smaller, weirder stuff by younger film makers gets released on streaming. Going to the movies is starting to become expensive. Where I live (not in the US) a movie typically costs $20-$30, and premium formats (eg imax or luxurious seating, table service for food & drink etc) can run up to $50 just for the movie ticket. I'm more likely to see a movie that benefits from an enormous screen and enormous sound (ie "theme park rides") at the movies, because I know I can get 90% of the experience of a smaller film at home at a fraction of the cost, and a fraction of the annoyance (given the inconsiderate behaviour of many people who go to see a movie these days).

I’d look at South Korean films there has been a ton of great films come out of there in the last 20 years or so.

True. Although, based on the ones I've seen (basically the well known Korean films and TV shows), they're generally pretty full-on wrt violence, language and general tone. Not a bad thing by itself (I like dark and gritty), but this sensibility could limit the mainstream success of a movement inspired by South Korean films.

Speaking of foreign films and superhero franchises - I'd love to see the team behind RRR tackle a Marvel or DC movie.