The Ultimate Strategy for MCU's Rebirth: Unveiling Post-Avengers Secret Wars Plan
Discover how Marvel's iconic Secret Wars storyline could pave the way for an epic reboot of the MCU, offering fresh possibilities and a unified roster of beloved superheroes Bye-bye catch-up, hello thrilling new era!
When Kevin Feige made an appearance at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, he unveiled the future plans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the major announcements was the upcoming Multiverse Saga, which was set to culminate in an Avengers: Secret Wars film. As soon as this news broke, the internet was abuzz with speculation about the details leading up to this epic event and the potential characters that could appear in the multiversal crossover. However, amidst all this excitement, a bigger question emerged: what lies beyond Avengers: Secret Wars?
The upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars film draws its title from various Marvel Comics events with the same name, leaving room for different storytelling possibilities. The original 1984 event, for instance, revolved around a powerful entity called The Beyonder who transported Marvel heroes and villains to Battleworld, where they battled each other. However, with the introduction of incursions in the MCU through 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it's more likely that the film will draw inspiration from the 2015 Secret Wars event.
Given the impact this event had on the Marvel Comics world, it is becoming increasingly likely that the MCU will undergo its own reboot. The potential for a reboot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the release of Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027 is higher than ever.
What Is Secret Wars?
During the Secret Wars event in 2015, the Marvel Comics multiverse experienced a collapse due to a series of incursions. Eventually, all that remained was a single Battleworld comprising fractured fragments of Earths from various realities. As the conflict reached its conclusion, the multiverse was reconstructed, resulting in a soft reboot for the Marvel Comics brand. This allowed Marvel Comics to attract new readers by providing a fresh starting point on a newly-recreated Earth.
If the MCU were to adapt this key aspect of the storyline, it would present an intriguing chance for a creative overhaul. With a fresh universe to explore, Marvel Studios could make changes to elements of their narratives and characters that have not resonated with audiences, while preserving the successful aspects. Apart from the general opportunity for a creative rejuvenation, there are specific reasons why Marvel may find this reboot beneficial.
A Unified Marvel Roster
In the real-world history of Marvel's iconic characters, it is well-known that the rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four have now returned to Marvel Studios through Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox. With the introduction of the Fantastic Four to the MCU in 2025, Marvel has also utilized this opportunity to gradually introduce mutants into their universe and even bring back familiar faces from Fox's X-Men films through multiversal adventures.
In the world of comics, the X-Men and Fantastic Four hold integral roles in the Marvel Universe, being part of the brand since its earliest days. However, their arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, after almost two decades, is considerably delayed and they may have missed out on potential opportunities, such as seeing Tony Stark and Reed Richards on screen together.
In a fresh approach, Marvel Studios could finally realize a vision that was previously unattainable during the initial launch of the MCU in 2008. By assembling all of its heroes right from the beginning, this would allow for greater creative liberty in showcasing character collaborations on screen and pave the way for a multitude of storylines to be explored in the future.
Too Much Catch-Up
Along with the freedom of storytelling, there is another practical and business-oriented reason why a reboot could be advantageous. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been active for a significant period of time now, with nearly 50 movies released since the debut of Iron Man in 2008. In contrast, during the release of Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, there were less than half that number. Yet, even then, many individuals found it overwhelming to keep up with the extensive length of the MCU and its numerous releases.
A more defined break in storytelling after Secret Wars would make it easier for newcomers to the franchise, particularly younger moviegoers, to become invested in the world and its characters. If Avengers: Secret Wars fails to seize this unique opportunity to start a new era for the MCU, it could spell doom for a franchise that some believe has already overstayed its welcome.
