Mind-Blowing MCU Timeline Revelations in Phase 5: Marvel Fans Won't Believe Their Eyes!

Summary

Marvel's Phase 5 introduced the worst timeline botch since Iron Man kicked the franchise off.

The release order of the Marvel cinematic universe should have been revised, with Secret Invasion as the initial post-Endgame installment. This would have helped in better understanding Nick Fury's character development and establishing a connection with Endgame's storyline. Marvel ought to consider retconning Phase 4, merging Spider-Man: Far From Home and Secret Invasion, and then reorganizing the subsequent post-Endgame projects accordingly.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has faced timeline issues, but the introduction of Marvel's Phase 5 marked the most significant timeline error since Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man set off Kevin Feige's expansive franchise. Some of these problems are expected given the extensive continuity involved with 40 releases. However, factors like Avengers: Endgame's five-year time jump, non-linear order of post-credits scenes, and Marvel's recent efforts to avoid specifying the timing of events within releases have further complicated matters.

Creating a massive shared universe that includes all characters and incorporates the complex concept of the multiverse presents a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, Marvel Studios should be applauded for successfully managing the so-called Sacred Timeline. The audience generally accepts Marvel's occasional retconning of stories like Endgame to connect with emerging narratives. As we have moved away from the inception of the MCU, the intricate details only matter to the most dedicated fans. Most people simply want the story to be coherent, making Secret Invasion's timeline mistake the worst blunder by Marvel in years.

Why Secret Invasion Was Disney+'s Perfect Post-Endgame Opener

Secret Invasion was released by Marvel at an inopportune time. It is clear that the content of Secret Invasion directly connects it to the aftermath of Endgame, even going so far as to include the missing post-credits scene featuring the revelation of the Avengers DNA Harvest. The Disney+ miniseries extensively explores Nick Fury's character in relation to his experience during the Blip, implying that he has changed significantly after missing five years due to Thanos' actions in Infinity War. Additionally, with the introduction of the Avengers DNA storyline, Secret Invasion undeniably links itself to the events of Endgame, leaving no explanation as to why it was released four years later.

Not only does Secret Invasion delve into the Avengers from a philosophical standpoint, but it also challenges the notion of over-reliance on superheroes, as Nick Fury questions the role of the Avengers in a confusing deconstruction. These themes are more effectively conveyed if one has just watched Endgame, as Fury has recently witnessed the sacrifice of his friend Tony Stark, exposing the true cost of being a superhero and leading Fury to question the morality of depending too heavily on them. In this context, Fury's challenge seems less like a critique of the Avengers as defenders of Earth and more like a reflection on his own responsibility in burdening them with the weight of the world. Considering Secret Invasion reveals that Fury had done the same with the Skrulls, this reinterpretation provides a more elegant solution to what initially appears to be a logical flaw in Fury's statement.

When Secret Invasion Should Have Been Released

Secret Invasion should have been the first release after Avengers: Endgame, as defined by Marvel's own categorizations. Phases 4, 5, and 6 are officially known as the Multiverse Saga, while the initial 3 chapters fall under the Infinity Saga title. Marvel intended to separate the pre- and post-Thanos eras, while also leaving room for potential multiple Sagas in the future. However, the execution fell short in distinguishing these chapters. The compelling nature of Thanos and Avengers: Endgame continues to captivate the audience, making it difficult to properly distinguish the new storyline. Secret Invasion, like other post-Endgame stories such as Falcon & The Winter Soldier, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Hawkeye, WandaVision, and Black Widow, explores the aftermath of the Blip and the restoration of billions of lives. It delves into both personal narratives and wider global issues, much like other projects in this post-Endgame phase.

Marvel Should Retcon Phase 4 Into A New Phase Entirely

should drop out of Phase 3 and become the starting point of the True Phase 4.

Secret Invasion

The Falcon & The Winter Soldier

Black Widow

Thor: Love & Thunder

Hawkeye

What If...?

WandaVision

Loki

There are two exceptional cases to consider, both with solid reasoning. "What If...?" may seem like a Multiverse tale, but it is essentially an Elseworlds retelling of the Infinity Saga, featuring Ultron's acquisition of the Infinity Stones. In Phase 4, it could have prepared Marvel's audience for the idea of the Multiverse, preceding the post-credits scene in WandaVision and the more concrete introduction in Loki. The first season of Loki would have served as a perfect bridge between Loki's post-Endgame narrative and the establishment of the MCU's Multiverse, given its direct continuation from Tom Hiddleston's appearance in the latter film. The only release that raises questions is She-Hulk, as it contributes to the Smart Hulk storyline but cannot precede "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" due to the post-credits scene featuring Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner. Therefore, She-Hulk must remain in Phase 5.

This would result in Phase 5 resembling the following, with additional alterations to connect the actual Multiverse stories, leading up to "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," the ultimate crossover that should serve as the culmination of the Multiverse Saga:

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Eternals

Moon Knight

Ms. Marvel

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Loki Season 2

The Marvels

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

Deadpool 3

Avengers: Kang Dynasty, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Moon Knight, and Eternals can be placed at any point in the MCU timeline due to their standalone nature, with Eternals explaining why the MCU superteam was absent during Infinity War. By shifting all other Phase 5 projects to Phase 6, the storytelling becomes more cohesive and allows for a stronger narrative thread from Quantumania's Kang storyline to Kang Dynasty. Brief detours will be taken to address the storylines of Ms Marvel, Secret Invasion, and WandaVision in The Marvels and Agatha: Coven Of Chaos. While this viewing order may not be feasible in reality due to production logistics, it provides a corrected sequence for future releases. Moreover, any timeline mistakes in Secret Invasion will be resolved by then.