How The MCU Might End

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Summary

  • Secret Wars could shake up the MCU‘s structure when it releases in 2027.
  • The multiverse has brought back old villains with Green Goblin and Doc Ock, but it also might bring more with Thanos and Kang the Conqueror.
  • The comic books have already shown how it’s possible for Marvel to “reset” everything in a new timeline.

To put it frankly, I’ve been a dedicated follower of the Marvel Cinematic Universe journey. After the exhilarating climax of Avengers: Endgame, it seemed like Marvel Studios could touch gold with every project they took on. Their subsequent releases such as WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home only reinforced this belief. Regrettably, recent events behind the scenes, some box office flops, and a handful of Disney+ projects that didn’t quite hit the mark have left me, and many others, feeling slightly disheartened.

It appears that Marvel Studios has some promising plans for the coming years. In 2025, we can look forward to exciting projects such as “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, and fans are thrilled about Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”. However, it’s important to note that there might be scenarios where the Marvel Cinematic Universe could reach its conclusion.

10. Secret Wars Could End In Chaos

The Multiverse Saga May Not Wrap Up Neatly

Ever since Marvel Studios announced that Avengers: Secret Wars would mark the end of The Multiverse Saga in 2027, dedicated comic book enthusiasts have been speculating about what this could mean. Notably, the Secret Wars comic series, initially published in the 1980s and revisited in 2015, centers around multiple universes encountering a collision known as an incursion. In the aftermath, heroes from different realms are regrouped on a mosaic planet called “Battleworld.

In previous Marvel productions like Loki and Deadpool & Wolverine, a concept was introduced known as The Void, which hinted at possible changes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Now that Doctor Doom is confirmed to appear in the Avengers movies, it strengthens the possibility that following Secret Wars, the MCU might have even less of a structured narrative. This could mean that character recastings may occur spontaneously and characters who never interacted before could join forces. The emphasis might shift towards more standalone stories rather than a continuous one in the future.

9. The Multiverse Can Bring Back Old Foes

It’s Hard To Capture The Magic Of Thanos Twice

As a passionate fan, I can confidently say that “Spider-Man: No Way Home” has demonstrated a significant appetite for nostalgia, with Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock being standout moments in that film. It remains to be seen if the audience will continue to share this enthusiasm for past adversaries from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, such as Josh Brolin’s Thanos, who has shown his readiness to reprise the role even in “What If?”, indicating his desire to return to the character.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I find myself pondering over the potential implications of Thanos reappearing across the multiverse. Given his terrifying prowess showcased in “Infinity War” and “Endgame,” one can’t help but worry about the havoc he might wreak once more.

Moreover, it’s not beyond reason to speculate that Kang the Conqueror could be recast, owing to the controversial choice of Jonathan Majors for the role. It wouldn’t be surprising if a new actor were brought in to bring this iconic villain to life.

If Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom isn’t the one to finally put an end to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), perhaps it will be someone we, the fans, have already grown invested in who steps up to the challenge.

8. Wanda’s Return Might Be Devastating

Multiverse Of Madness May Have Just Been The Start

One lingering uncertainty in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) revolves around the fate of Elizabeth Olsen’s character, Wanda Maximoff. Her apparent demise at the end of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” might be a strategic decision by Marvel Studios, considering her immense power, but it also opens up the possibility for an epic and definitive storyline based on her comic book history, should she return.

In the “House of M” comic storyline, frequently mentioned in both “WandaVision” and “Multiverse of Madness,” an enraged Wanda employs her abilities to manipulate reality to remove all mutants from existence. Similarly, there’s a possibility that she might return and use her powers again, this time erasing all heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Such an action could lead to an unexpected ending for the franchise, with a beloved character bowing out triumphantly at the peak of their power.

7. The Eternals Hold The Key To Marvel’s Demise

Will Marvel Let These Characters Disappear?

It’s unfortunate that audiences didn’t seem to take well to 2021’s Eternals, considering the potential these characters had for future storylines. Established as divine beings tasked with protecting growing populations in preparation for the arrival of Celestials, the movie portrayed Earth’s Eternal family thwarting planetary destruction and left us hanging at the end, with them facing Arishem for their misdeeds on a cliffhanger note.

Without any indication that the Eternals will reappear, Marvel might decide to end their universe by bringing back the Celestials, powerful beings, to destroy Earth as initially planned. This wouldn’t affect many MCU characters currently off-world, but it would fulfill the promise of seeing the Eternals once more on screen.

6. We Already Have A World-Ending Villain From What If?

A Familiar Enemy Could Make A Great Live-Action Villain

There’s been much debate about the Disney+ series “What If?” and its execution, but most can concur that it reached its peak during the first season episode titled “What If Ultron Won?” This episode reimagines the storyline of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” where Ultron manages to defeat the Avengers. He then seizes the Infinity Stones from Thanos and ultimately breaks through multiple universes.

In case of uncertainty, this particular version of Ultron could make an excellent “ultimate adversary” for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Whether our beloved heroes defeat or fail against this overpowering creation by Tony Stark might not matter if Marvel Studios can craft a captivating and awe-inspiring finale around Ultron. Furthermore, it could be an ideal opportunity to connect the character of Vision, who has been absent since the end of WandaVision.

5. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Has A Perfect Ending

An Ending Doesn’t Have To Mean Everyone Goes Away

It’s not mandatory for every Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) conclusion to involve our beloved characters dying and the world crumbling. Just as James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 demonstrated, it’s possible to leave audiences contented by having all heroes end up happy. The film’s finale depicts Star-Lord going back to Earth to meet his grandpa again, while Rocket takes charge of a fresh group of Guardians.

Instead of continually producing movies with characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Thor, it might be fitting for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to conclude by introducing a fresh Avengers team. This team could include well-known heroes such as Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Black Panther, or lesser-known characters such as Dane Whitman, Shang-Chi, and Moon Knight.

4. Marvel Vs. DC Comes To Life

It’s All Riding On James Gunn’s Superman

Regarding James Gunn, there’s a lot of excitement brewing among comic book enthusiasts about his upcoming revamp of the DC film universe. Kicking off in 2025 with “Superman,” Gunn intends to infuse the same magic he brought to “Guardians of the Galaxy” into DC productions. If Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios play their cards right, they’ll leverage their partnership with Gunn to cook up something thrilling.

Up until now, Marvel and DC movies have never intersected within their individual universes, but it’s not unprecedented for these franchises to collaborate. Back in the 90s, a miniseries pitted DC characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman against Marvel heavyweights like Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Captain America. The idea of seeing these movie franchises come together on screen would be groundbreaking.

3. The MCU Gets An “Ultimate” Reset

The Comics Had Their Own Difficult Period

In the 1990s, comic book sales followed a similar trend as those of the Marvel Cinematic Universe today. To rekindle enthusiasm, Marvel Comics opted for a revamp of their comic book line, reducing emphasis on complex continuity that had been prevalent in comics previously. This led to the introduction of the “Ultimate Marvel” imprint.

In a separate universe known as Earth-1610, the tales unfolded without any connection to the ongoing Marvel Comics timeline, offering fresh perspectives on iconic figures such as Spider-Man, X-Men, and Hulk. This saga reached its climax in the 2015 “Secret Wars” narrative, where Earth-1610 combined with Earth-616. A possible direction for the MCU could be a reboot, catering to a new generation of fans.

2. Perhaps The Franchise Ends With A Bang

A Tribute To Films Past Would Satisfy Many Fans

Initially, photos taken during filming of Deadpool & Wolverine suggested that the movie would make fun of the 20th Century Fox universe of Marvel films, as a massive logo was visible. Yet, it came as a surprise to many when the film turned out to be a sincere homage to the Fox Marvel franchise, complete with a blooper reel and behind-the-scenes footage spanning the entire history of Fox Marvel productions.

To truly wrap up the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) effectively, a single movie might be all that’s needed, one that leaves viewers feeling nostalgic and longing for more. This could be an Avengers film, a Spider-Man adventure, or even an X-Men production. The key is to win back the hearts of audiences by making them yearn for the MCU once again. As demonstrated by Deadpool and Wolverine, it’s possible to achieve this emotional impact while still performing well financially at the box office.

1. Superhero Movies Might Be On Their Way Out

2025 Will Be A Decisive Year For Marvel

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must say that the cinematic universe phenomenon isn’t fading anytime soon. Films like “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” and “Dune: Part Two” have proven that audiences still hold a deep affection for franchises.

However, the year 2025 could be a defining moment for Marvel Studios. In the first half alone, we’ll see the releases of “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts,” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” in theaters, and the debuts of “Daredevil: Born Again” and “Ironheart” as Disney+ series. These high-profile productions could shape the future of Marvel Studios, making 2025 a year to watch closely.

Time alone will determine if these movies and shows can rekindle the public’s enthusiasm for superhero films, especially with James Gunn’s new Superman movie set to release in summer 2025. It’s possible that the Marvel Cinematic Universe might not conclude with a grand finale or emotional farewell, but rather with a gradual decline if audiences begin to lose interest in upcoming films. Fingers crossed that this doesn’t happen, and considering the financial success of Deadpool and Wolverine in 2024, it seems doubtful that Marvel’s profits will dry up anytime soon.

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2025-01-13 07:04