10 MCU TV Shows That Would Have Been Better As Movies
Exploring the potential of Marvel's Phase 4 TV series, this article highlights 10 MCU movies that could have benefitted from a TV format, offering a fresh perspective on character development, intricate storylines, and the opportunity to dive deeper into the Marvel universe
Article Overview
Some MCU movies could have been improved as TV shows, allowing for more time to develop characters and storylines.
WandaVision and Loki have demonstrated that with capable teams at the helm, MCU TV shows can flourish. Eternals, Black Widow, Iron Man 2, and Thor: The Dark World could have greatly improved their storytelling and character development had they adopted the format of TV series.
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have generally been successful, some of them could have benefitted from being developed as TV shows. Over the course of the MCU's extensive timeline, there have been 32 movies, soon to be 33 with the release of The Marvels. However, for various reasons, some of these films did not meet their full potential or could have been improved with more time to develop characters and storylines.
After the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, which consisted solely of movies, the franchise began expanding in different ways during Phase 4. This included the addition of TV series to the MCU. While not all of these series have been as successful as anticipated, projects like WandaVision and Loki have demonstrated that MCU TV shows can thrive with the right creative teams. The television medium has allowed Marvel Studios to delve deeper into the lives of both old and new characters, and certain movies could have benefited from this treatment. Here are 10 MCU movies that could have been enhanced as TV series, offering improvements to their stories, characters, settings, and more.
10. Eternals Could Have Been A Prestige Miniseries
Released In 2021
Eternals is an upcoming film set to be released on November 5, 2021. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the movie features a talented cast including Angelina Jolie, Lia McHugh, Haaz Sleiman, Salma Hayek Pinault, Dong-seok Ma, Zain Al Rafeea, Harish Patel, Richard Madden, Brian Tyree Henry, Jashaun St. John, Lauren Ridloff, Kit Harington, Kumail Nanjiani, and Ozer Ercan. The film falls under the genres of fantasy, drama, action, and superhero.
Eternals is one of the most controversial movies from Marvel Studios,
9. Black Widow's Past Was Perfect For A Series
and addressing several of the film's issues could have been achieved if Marvel had opted to develop it as a limited series. By creating eight to ten hour-long episodes, Marvel could have gradually explored the stories of the ten members of the Eternals, allowing each character to have their moment to shine and fostering a stronger connection with the audience. A series format would have been better suited for Eternals' storyline, as it would have provided the MCU with the opportunity to portray the team's extensive history without feeling rushed, showcasing additional events from the past and enriching the overall project.
Released In 2021
Black Widow
Release Date: July 9, 2021
Director: Cate Shortland
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, Olga Kurylenko, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, Rachel Weisz
Genres: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Action, Superhero
If Black Widow was released during Phase 1 or 2, it would have made more sense as a movie. However, since the film came after the Infinity Saga ended and Scarlett Johansson's character had already died, it seemed a bit out of place. Instead of a prequel film, a series could have focused on Nat and Yelena's childhood and showcased the glory days of Red Guardian. Black Widow could have included a time jump to depict some of the character's missions as a member of the Red Room and her early days in SHIELD, ultimately culminating in the present. Similar to the ending of Black Widow, the series could have shown Yelena honoring Natasha's memory.
8. Iron Man 2 Could Have Been More Engaging As A TV Show
Released In 2010
Iron Man 2
Release Date May 7, 2010Director Jon FavreauCast Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, Don Cheadle, Gwyneth PaltrowGenres Adventure, Sci-Fi, Action
Of the three Iron Man movies, Robert Downey Jr.'s second solo outing is undeniably his weakest. While Iron Man 2 did have some visually impressive moments and creative choices, such as the thrilling Monaco Grand Prix fight and the introduction of Black Widow, the overall execution of the film was flawed. One major issue with Iron Man 2 was its lackluster villain. This problem could have easily been remedied if Ivan Vanko's storyline had been concluded earlier in the series, allowing for a gradual development of Justin Hammer as a more formidable adversary to serve as the climactic antagonist in Iron Man 2. This alternative direction would have undoubtedly made the film more engaging and unpredictable.
7. Thor: The Dark World's Characters Needed More Time To Be Fleshed Out
Released In 2013
Thor: The Dark World
Released on November 8, 2013 and directed by Alan Taylor, the film stars Tom Hiddleston, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Zachary Levi, Christopher Eccleston, Rene Russo, Chris Hemsworth, Ray Stevenson, Stellan Skarsgård, Jaimie Alexander, and Kat Dennings. With genres including action, adventure, superhero, sci-fi, and fantasy.
Similar to Iron Man, this second standalone Thor film is considered the weakest in the franchise. Marvel Studios has been working to improve Thor: The Dark World for years, recognizing its lackluster reception. The film could have delved deeper into the motives of its villain, Malekith, transforming him from a dull antagonist to a captivating character. While characters like Odin, Sif, and the Warriors Three were not given significant roles in the movie, a series format would have allowed the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) more opportunities to develop Thor's supporting cast, a missed opportunity in subsequent Thor films as well.
6. Avengers: Age Of Ultron Had Too Many Storylines For A Movie
Released In 2015
Avengers: Age of Ultron, directed by Joss Whedon, was released on May 1, 2015. The film features a star-studded cast including Chris Hemsworth, Clark Gregg, Robert Downey Jr., Cobie Smulders, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jeremy Renner, Thomas Kretschmann, Chris Evans, Don Cheadle, Mark Ruffalo, Elizabeth Olsen, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Bettany, Samuel L. Jackson, and James Spader. It falls under the genres of action, sci-fi, and superhero.
Avengers: Age of Ultron set the stage for significant storylines in the MCU. A series would have been the ideal medium to fully explore the film's vast ideas for the future of the MCU. This could have included hints at events like Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame, as well as being directly responsible for Captain America: Civil War, among others. The movie format, with its limited time, hindered the development of multiple storylines, making it the least favored entry in the Avengers' MCU franchise. In contrast, a series would have allowed these various storylines to thrive, delving deeper into Ultron's path of devastation and offering a more profound exploration of the dynamics within the Avengers team. For instance, an entire episode could have been dedicated to the beloved Avengers Tower party.
5. Ant-Man And The Wasp Could Have Been More Than Just Fun
Released In 2018
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Release Date: July 6, 2018
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Pfeiffer, Evangeline Lilly, David Dastmalchian, Judy Greer, Randall Park, Michael Douglas, Paul Rudd, Hannah John-Kamen, Michael Pena, Bobby Cannavale
Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Superhero
While Ant-Man and the Wasp was an enjoyable addition to the MCU, it missed the opportunity to explore its full potential as a series. The film initially delves into the past, featuring Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne as the original Ant-Man and Wasp on what would become Janet's final mission. A series adaptation could have cleverly intertwined two timelines, with the main plot unfolding in the present while flashbacks gradually reveal the events leading to Janet's disappearance. This storytelling approach would have also allowed for a more prominent role for Laurence Fishburne's character, Bill Foster, showcasing Goliath in action.
4. Kang The Conqueror's Defeat In Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania Needed Proper Build-Up
Released In 2023
Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania is a highly anticipated film set to release on February 17, 2023. Directed by Peyton Reed, the movie boasts an impressive cast including Michael Douglas, Jonathan Majors, Paul Rudd, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Pena, Evangeline Lilly, Kathryn Newton, Randall Park, and Bill Murray. With its blend of action, adventure, and comedy, this film promises to deliver an exciting and entertaining cinematic experience.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania encountered disappointment at the box office, with critiques targeting its VFX, storyline, and more. A major point of criticism surrounding Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was how easily Kang was defeated in the film. He suffered heavy damage from intelligent ants and seemingly perished in his inaugural appearance in the MCU. The downfall of Kang would have been more impactful if it had been built up over the course of a season-long arc, allowing for a more thorough exploration of the villain and the heroes' strategy to thwart him. In addition, a television series could have dedicated more episodes to Earth, reuniting the beloved character Luis.
3. A Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Series Could Have Done The Most With The Multiverse
Released In 2022
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
Release Date: May 6, 2022
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Xochitl Gomez, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Bruce Campbell, John Krasinski, Patrick Stewart, Hayley Atwell, Lashana Lynch, Anson Mount
Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Action, Superhero
The Doctor Strange sequel, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," touched on several universes, but only scratched the surface. If the project had been a series instead, it could have fully utilized the format. Each episode of the limited series could have followed Scarlet Witch as she explored different universes alongside Doctor Strange and America Chavez. This would have introduced new characters and variations of beloved heroes, making the various universes more significant and realistic. The Illuminati, for example, could have had a dedicated episode to delve into their team and history before Wanda's arrival and subsequent hero killings.
2. Thor: Love And Thunder Was Missing Actual God Butchering
Released In 2022
Release Date: July 8, 2022
Director: Taika Waititi
Cast: Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Tessa Thompson, Chris Pratt, Natalie Portman, Karen Gillan, Chris Hemsworth
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Superhero
Thor: Love and Thunder faced a tonal inconsistency, as the dark narratives of Jane Foster and Gorr the God Butcher clashed with the excessive use of humor. Additionally, the film's limited duration hindered the proper development of its major storylines. Regrettably, Christian Bale's portrayal of Gorr was underutilized, with the character's god killings predominantly occurring offscreen. To address these issues, a series format could have been advantageous, allowing Gorr to target a different deity in each episode while effectively balancing the somber themes with Taika Waititi's comedic style. This would have provided ample opportunity for the characters to fully explore their journeys.
1. Black Panther Could Have Been Even Better As A Series
Released In 2018
Black Panther
Release Date: February 16, 2018
Director: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker
Genres: Sci-Fi, Drama, Action, Superhero
Although Black Panther achieved great success as the MCU's first Best Picture Oscar nominee, it could have potentially thrived as a TV series. The wealth of Wakanda provides an expansive backdrop that could have been further explored had Black Panther been adapted for television. With its focus on the political landscape of the Wakandan throne, a Game of Thrones-inspired series could have gradually unveiled the dissent within Wakanda, showcasing the intricate maneuvers that occurred as Killmonger emerged, resulting in the creation of one of the most exceptional Marvel Cinematic Universe series to date.
Editor's P/S
As an MCU fan, I have mixed feelings about the idea of some MCU movies being better suited as TV shows. On the one hand, I understand the argument that a longer format would allow for more character development and intricate storylines. I think this is especially true for movies like Eternals, which had a lot of characters and a complex story that felt rushed in the movie format. On the other hand, I also appreciate the fact that MCU movies are able to tell complete stories in a relatively short amount of time.
I think this is important for keeping the franchise accessible to a wide audience, and it also allows for more variety in the types of stories that can be told. Ultimately, I think it's a good thing that Marvel Studios is experimenting with different formats, and I'm excited to see how they continue to evolve the MCU in the years to come.
