Would the superhero genre be as popular as it is now if the MCU was never created?
Nope. The MCU changed capeshit and Hollywood in general.
Before it was just about making sequels and building franchises but now it's about making cinematic universes(which ironically enough, only Marvel, WB, and Legendary Pictures have achieved so far).
Obviously not to the extent it is now but the Dark Knight Trilogy and Iron Man as a standalone movie would keep it popular enough
>>93848247
Nope