10 Missed Opportunities: MCU Show Moments That Deserved the Big Screen

Article Overview

Marvel Studios' Disney+ shows have delivered many powerful moments, but some of these moments would have had a bigger impact in theatrical releases.

The introductions of He Who Remains in Loki Season 1, Valentina in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Skaar in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law posed risks on Disney+, potentially causing confusion for casual viewers. Meanwhile, Secret Invasion, Moon Knight, and other shows missed opportunities to make certain moments more impactful by showcasing them on the big screen, thus reaching a wider audience and effectively capturing the grandeur of the scenes.

Marvel Studios' TV shows on Disney+ have delivered incredibly impactful moments for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, these scenes could have had an even greater impact if they had been featured in MCU feature films. Prior to the inception of Disney+ and the Multiverse Saga, Marvel Studios diversified into long-form media and developed separate TV series from previous Marvel Television shows. Unlike previous projects like Agents of SHIELD, Cloak and Dagger, and Netflix's Defenders Saga, Marvel Studios' Disney+ shows are explicitly set within the MCU and contribute to the expanding franchise. They have already delivered some of the MCU's most powerful, pivotal, and unexpected moments.

As of November 2023, Marvel Studios has released ten shows on Disney+. These shows have allowed secondary and supporting characters from the MCU's feature films to shine and have provided the opportunity to introduce smaller-scale heroes like Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, and Moon Knight to the franchise. While the long-form series have benefited many aspects of these characters' stories, despite some behind-the-scenes issues with the MCU's TV lineup, there have been pivotal moments on Disney+ that may have been better suited for a theatrical release.

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10. He Who Remains' Introduction In Loki Season 1

He Who Remains Was The MCU's First Variant Of Kang The Conqueror

The first season of Loki continued the narrative of the Loki variant who managed to escape during the Time Heist in Avengers: Endgame. This particular version of Loki was thrown into the Time Variance Authority, where he encountered his own variants and struggled to unravel the truth behind the enigmatic organization. This led up to the finale of Loki season 1, where Jonathan Majors made his debut as He Who Remains, the man overseeing the TVA and a variant of Kang the Conqueror. Kang was established as the main antagonist of the Multiverse Saga in the MCU, so introducing him in a Disney+ series carried some risk, potentially causing confusion for more casual viewers in the future.

So far, Jonathan Majors has depicted three primary variations of Kang the Conqueror, namely He Who Remains, Kang the Conqueror, and Victor Timely. Additionally, he has made appearances as members of the Council of Kangs in the movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

9. Secret Invasion's "Million Skrull" Reveal

Secret Invasion's Story Was Too Big For Disney+

Following its release as the inaugural series in Phase 5 of the MCU, Secret Invasion garnered poor reception, despite featuring significant plot twists. Given that the Marvel Comics storyline is a monumental crossover event, much of Secret Invasion would have had a greater impact as a feature film. A pivotal moment in Secret Invasion was the revelation that a million shapeshifting Skrulls had been residing on Earth, a vast number compared to the previously known few. This revelation could have been magnified on the grandiose big screen, packing a more substantial punch for Nick Fury.

8. Valentina's Debut & Thunderbolts Tease

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Portrays Contessa Valentina Allegre De Fontaine In The MCU

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showcased the collaboration of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they joined forces to confront the Flag Smashers. Simultaneously, a replacement Captain America named John Walker was enlisted following Steve Rogers' retirement after Avengers: Endgame. However, after augmenting himself with a super-soldier serum, Walker committed a brutal murder of a Flag Smasher, resulting in his removal from the Captain America role. Despite this, Walker was approached by Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the CIA Director, to join the MCU's Thunderbolts team as US Agent. With Thunderbolts being the first crossover project since Endgame, this transformation could have significant implications on the silver screen.

The inaugural Thunderbolts lineup in the MCU will feature Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, John Walker as US Agent, Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes as Winter Soldier, Alexei Shostakov as Red Guardian, Ava Starr as Ghost, and Antonia Dreykov as Taskmaster.

7. Moon Knight's Battle Of The Gods

Khonshu Fought Ammit In Moon Knight's Series Finale

The introduction of the Ancient Egyptian gods into the MCU occurred in Moon Knight (2022), starring Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector, the embodiment of the moon god Khonshu. In the series finale of Moon Knight, Marc joined forces with his alter ego, Steven Grant, to confront Arthur Harrow as both Moon Knight and Mr. Knight. Meanwhile, Khonshu engaged in a battle with Ammit, the goddess of judgment, whom Harrow had aligned with. These grandiose scenes possessed immense magnitude, yet the limited scale of the series failed to fully capture this spectacle. It would have been significantly more impactful to witness the clash of Egyptian deities on the big screen.

6. Nick Fury's Wife Being Introduced To The MCU

Nick Fury's Wife Was Revealed To Be A Skrull

The majority of Secret Invasion could have benefited from a larger scale theatrical release, especially when it came to one of the show's most surprising reveals. Despite Nick Fury's presence in the MCU since 2008's Iron Man, it was not until 2023's Secret Invasion that Marvel Studios unveiled his wife, Priscilla, also known as the Skrull Varra. While it was great to finally see an exploration of Nick Fury's personal life after all these years, the revelation of his marriage to an extraterrestrial needed more attention. Perhaps this relationship will be further developed in Samuel L. Jackson's future appearances in MCU movies. Samuel L. Jackson's most recent MCU appearance as Nick Fury was in 2023's The Marvels, the sequel to 2019's Captain Marvel.

5. Ms. Marvel's Time Travel & History Lesson

Kamala Khan Traveled To 1947 In Ms. Marvel

Iman Vellani made her debut as Kamala Khan in Phase 4's Ms. Marvel. Kamala, a teenager from Jersey City, possesses a mysterious bangle that unlocks her latent mutant ability. As the series progresses, she discovers numerous new powers, such as creating solid structures made of hard-light, enlarging her limbs and body, and even time travel. During a fierce confrontation with the Clandestine Najma, Kamala is unexpectedly transported back to the year 1947. In this pivotal moment, she aids her grandmother, thereby providing both Kamala and the audience with a significant glimpse into the history of the Partition. Although this historical storyline was briefly touched upon in Ms. Marvel, a theatrical release could have given it the attention and time it truly deserved.

4. Sam Wilson Wearing His Captain America Suit For The First Time

Sam Wilson Became Captain America In The Falcon & The Winter Soldier

After being stripped of his title as Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, John Walker was replaced by Sam Wilson. Sam embraced the role bestowed upon him by Steve Rogers in Avengers: Endgame. The finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier marked the first time Anthony Mackie wore the Captain America costume. However, such a significant event, where a legacy hero takes on the mantle of an original Avenger, should have unfolded in a feature film. Although Sam Wilson will reprise his role as Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World in 2024, the fact that his transformation occurred on Disney+ potentially diminishes his new origin story.

3. Hulk Introduces His Son, Skaar

Skaar's Debut Teases Major Future MCU Storylines

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's premiere episode saw Bruce Banner, aka the Smart Hulk, training his cousin to become a Hulk. Although he spent most of the series in space, Banner made a comeback in the series finale to introduce his family and unveil his son, Skaar. While this reveal was surprising, it would have had a much greater impact on the big screen, especially considering that Skaar's introduction to the MCU hints at a potential World War Hulk project. Unfortunately, Skaar's debut in the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law series failed to live up to expectations, as the visual effects and overall presentation fell short.

Marvel Comics' Skaar made his first canon appearance in 2008's World War Hulk #5, so his MCU debut teases this much-anticipated project in live-action.

2. The Watcher Gathers The Guardians Of The Multiverse

What If...? Explored Alternate MCU Realities

Marvel Studios' What If...? is a perfect fit for a Disney+ series, with each episode delving into a new alternate reality within the expansive multiverse. However, in season 1 of What If...?, the enigmatic Watcher assembled a team of multiversal superheroes known as the Guardians of the Multiverse. This intriguing team-up would have been truly remarkable to witness in a feature film. The impact made by Hayley Atwell's Captain Carter in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness further demonstrates the potential for an incredible live-action Guardians of the Multiverse. Although it was exciting to see the team unite to defeat Infinity Ultron in What If...?, they truly deserved a more grandiose introduction.

The Guardians of the Multiverse in What If...? consisted of Peggy Carter (Captain Carter), Stephen Strange (Strange Supreme), Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), T'Challa (Star-Lord), Killmonger (Black Panther), Party Thor, and a version of Gamora who triumphed over Thanos.

1. Wanda Maximoff Becomes The Scarlet Witch

WandaVision Kicked Off The MCU's Phase 4 & Multiverse Saga

The most remarkable moment on Disney+ occurred in WandaVision, the first TV series in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the finale, Wanda Maximoff battles Agatha Harkness after discovering her true identity as the Scarlet Witch. Initially hesitant, Wanda eventually embraces her role and defeats Harkness in a cinematic and awe-inspiring scene, which could have been even more impactful on the big screen. The Scarlet Witch reappears as a villain in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and although she sacrifices herself in the end, there is speculation about her potential return for future adventures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the article "10 Missed Opportunities: MCU Show Moments That Deserved the Big Screen". On the one hand, I understand the argument that some of the moments from Marvel Studios' Disney+ shows would have been more impactful on the big screen. For example, the introduction of He Who Remains in Loki Season 1 was a major reveal that would have been even more exciting if it had been shown in a theater.

On the other hand, I also appreciate the fact that Marvel Studios is taking risks with its Disney+ shows and telling stories that might not be possible in a feature film. For example, the Secret Invasion series is a much more intimate story than a typical MCU movie, and it would have lost something if it had been released in theaters.

Overall, I think Marvel Studios is doing a great job with its Disney+ shows, and I'm excited to see what they do next. I believe that the small screen can be just as powerful as the big screen, and I'm glad that Marvel Studios is taking advantage of the unique opportunities that streaming platforms offer.