Film franchises and cinematic sagas through history

The history of cinematic sagas and franchises spans long before the modern era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Notable long-running series include the James Bond franchise, which has spanned over 50 years with 26 films, and the Planet of the Apes series, which began in 1968.

Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, discussions regarding character introduction timing suggest that certain heroes, such as Black Panther, could have had a more significant impact had they been introduced earlier in the franchise's timeline. The popularity of the character, portrayed by Chadwick Boseman, remains a significant part of the MCU's legacy.