Summary
- The MCU’s Phase 4 and 5 have set up numerous storylines for future exploration, including the introduction of new characters and expansion of veteran narratives.
- Major unresolved plot points include Tiamut’s emergence from Eternals, Sharon Carter’s Power Broker role, and the return of White Vision and the Maximoff twins.
- Exciting possibilities are hinted at for future films, such as the introduction of Hercules and the potential formation of Wong’s Avengers post-Endgame.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has expanded at an exponential rate in the latest Phases 4 and 5, establishing an unprecedented number of storylines meant for future pay-off. Phase 4 alone saw the exciting introduction of many new MCU characters, along with the expansion of Infinity Saga veteran characters’ narratives. Most notably, this phase introduced the MCU to the small-screen via the Disney+ shows, which in themselves set up a lot for future films to explore.
Although the studio is intentionally slowing down, with only one film release and two Disney+ series in 2024, the explosion of content brought about in Phase 4 continues to have in-universe repercussions that have yet to be addressed. The other consequence of pushing so many projects in a short time frame is that it now feels as though cliffhangers and post-credits set-ups from a mere 2–3 years ago have been left unattended for too long. The MCU has a lot of balls in the air, so to speak, and it has teased a lot that still needs to be delivered.
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10 The Birth Of Tiamut Should Have Massive Consequences
The Eternals Ending Saw The Halted Birth Of A Celestial Affect The Earth’s Landscape
Eternals may have been relatively poorly received, but the movie quite literally broke new ground in the MCU that cannot simply be swept under the rug. The Eternals themselves are characterized by their love of humans despite their non-interference, so their act to save the Earth is significant in and of itself, if easy to ignore until a sequel releases. The partial rising of the Celestial, Tiamut, however, is something that should have very real-world consequences, but has so far only appeared in a brief She-Hulk: Attorney at Law reference.
Of the 4 key storylines established in Eternals, the failed Emergence of this Celestial that was meant to destroy the Earth may be the closest to a pay-off. According to fan theories, Tiamut could serve as the MCU’s first source of adamantium, attracting interest from several shady parties. Given Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s reveal of the U.S. government’s desire to produce its own source of vibranium, upcoming projects like Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World could be perfect projects to tie into Eternals.
9 The Existence Of Toussaint A.K.A. Prince T’Challa
The Young Successor To Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa Has A Bright Future Ahead
The MCU decided to retire Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther, rather than recast him, after the actor’s tragic passing. His legacy, however, was revealed at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to be carried on by the son he had with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o). Thus far, Toussaint (Divine Love Konadu-San) has only appeared in one MCU movie and is still young, with the Black Panther mantle passing to his aunt, Shuri (Letitia Wright), rather than him.
At merely six years old, Toussaint may be too young to join the burgeoning Young Avengers just yet. It is also unlikely that he will become the Black Panther while Shuri still has the title, although the two may eventually both embody the mantle. Whatever the case, this young legacy character is sure to follow in his father’s footsteps as a hero in the MCU.
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8 What Happened To White Vision?
Paul Bettany’s Hero Has Been Missing In Action Since WandaVision
WandaVision introduced two versions of Vision that were not quite the original, prompting the infamous “Ship of Theseus” debate that replaced a battle between the two Visions. Although White Vision received the memories of Wanda’s (Elizabeth Olsen) Vision, the character’s distinct lack of the Mind Stone or emotional connection to his memories mark the character as likely to be very different from the hero audiences have come to know. White Vision’s proclamation that he is, indeed, Vision before he flies off to an unknown location is a cliffhanger that has not been paid off for three years, and may not be paid off for a few more years yet.
Paul Bettany has confirmed that he will, in fact, be returning in the role, making this pay off a mere matter of time. Given that White Vision was constructed by S.W.O.R.D. and subsequently received memories of a life he never lived as the original Vision, the character has a lot to reconcile about his identity. All of this makes his eventual return that much more anticipated!
7 The Introduction Of Hercules… And A Possible God-Squad?
The Thor: Love And Thunder Post-Credits Scene Brings Up Exciting Possibilities
Thor: Love and Thunder, for all its faults, was a highly ambitious project that brought other, non-Asgardian gods to the big screen. The movie features Zeus — from whom Thor stole the god’s iconic lightning bolt —with its first post-credits scene introducing Hercules (Brett Goldstein). Zeus tasks his son with exacting revenge on Thor, a plotline that will need to be followed up in the character’s next solo outing.
What is more intriguing is the possibilities Hercules’ appearance open up. In the comics, the God Squad is a team that features characters like Thor and Hercules, whose mortality, divinity, and power set them apart from other heroes. Between the confirmed existence of Egyptian deities in Moon Knight and the fact that Love and Thunder actually shows Thor attempt to enlist other gods’ help to create such a team, the possibilities brought forth by Hercules’ quest against Thor are electrifying.
6 Will Sharon Carter Ever Make A(nother) Comeback?
After The Character’s Gripe In The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, Ignoring Her Would Be Highly Ironic
Emily VanCamp’s Sharon Carter has been consistently underutilized throughout her time in the franchise, with the worst misuse being her uncomfortable romance with Steve Rogers’ Captain America (Chris Evans). The Falcon and the Winter Soldier seemed to tease a much more interesting, complex character wronged and forgotten by the U.S. government simply because she wasn’t an Avenger. In a twist, the typically heroic character is revealed to be the villainous Power Broker, ruthless leader of a criminal empire.
Since this appearance in a show that is still closely tied to Captain America, Carter has not returned to the screen. Now pardoned by the U.S. government, Carter is positioned to steal U.S. technology and secrets. This deeply betrayed character is not going to simply give up her empire, and deserves to be redeemed by a more consequential role in the MCU moving forward.
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5 Thanos’ Brother Eros A.K.A. Starfox Raises A Lot Of Questions
The Eternals Post-Credits Scene Drops A First Look At Harry Styles’ MCU Debut With No Confirmed Future
The Eternals post-credits bombshell reveal of Thanos’ apparently very different brother, Starfox, is something that should have major implications for the MCU. The character, also known as Eros, appears to the Eternals Thena (Angelina Jolie), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), and Druig (Alex Zahara), informing them that their fellow Eternals, Sersi (Gemma Chan), Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), and Sprite (Lia McHugh) are in danger. Even more mysteriously, the character possesses a sphere that allows him to commuincate with Celestials.
What does this mean for the future of the MCU? Apparently not much — at least for now. Once more, the poor reception of Eternals may put a damper on a huge storyline, especially as the Harry Styles character seems particularly concerned with issues pertaining solely to the Eternals, rather than broader MCU matters.
4 Dr. Strange Is Joined By A Mysterious Character To Stop An Incursion
The Multiverse Of Madness Post-Credits Scene Introduces Charlize Theron As A Character Named Clea
Perhaps the most important loose-end relating to Avengers: Secret Wars is the post-credits scene in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The titular character’s Dark Hold dabbling has dire consequences for the MCU’s future, as he has apparently caused an incursion — a collision between two realities that could destroy one. The post-credits scene introduces Charlize Theron as a mysterious purple-clad woman credited as Clea, who recruits Strange to help her stop the incursion.
In the comics, Clea is the daughter of the ruler of the Dark Dimension and the niece of Dormammu, who Strange battled in his first film. Clea’s ability to open and close portals could be extremely powerful in the battle to come. Of all the Phase 4 loose ends, this is the one that most directly connects to the larger threat that will presumably bring the MCU’s heroes together.
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3 The Futures Of Billy And Tommy Maximoff Have Been Teased But Not Confirmed
The Magically-Created Sons Of Scarlet Witch May Return Despite The Erasure Of Their Existence In WandaVision
WandaVision introduced the new generation of Maximoff twins created through Wanda’s chaos magic. Audiences and Wanda had to say goodbye to Billy (Julian Hilliard) and Tommy (Jett Klyne) as their existence was tied to the Hex she placed on the residents of Westview, and releasing her mind-prisoners meant erasing her children. The twins play an important role in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as Scarlet Witch, corrupted by the Darkhold, attempts to kidnap versions of her children from alternate realities.
The twins are theorized to return at some point, perhaps even joining the Young Avengers as Wiccan and Speed. In WandaVision, the magically created children are revealed to have powers corresponding with those of Wanda herself, and her deceased twin, Pietro a.k.a. Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Although many characters in the Dr. Strange sequel are unlikely to return, it is unlikely that the twins won’t be back sooner or later.
2 The Dane Whitman-Blade Team-Up That Isn’t Happening In Blade (2025)
Yet Another Eternals Post-Credits Scene That Has No Planned Pay-Off For The Foreseeable Future
One of Eternals post-credits scenes features Blade interacting with Dane Whitman’s Black Knight (Kit Harrington), advising him not to use the Ebony Blade. Blade will be getting his own movie in 2025, but neither Harrington’s Black Knight nor the Ebony Blade seem to be featured in any of the various scripts Blade has gone through. According to Harrington, his character was never going to be featured in Blade at all, raising even more confusion over this post-credits scene.
Whitman’s entry to the MCU hinges on his relationship with one of the Eternals, specifically Sersi. The character was going to reveal a family secret (presumably relating to his identity as Black Knight), which was hinted at in the post-credits scene. Like all other Eternals-forward plotlines, it seems that this, too, will be temporarily forgotten.
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1 Wong’s Avengers Still Need To Come Together
In The Absence Of Captain America And Iron Man, It Seems The New Sorcerer Supreme Will Lead The Avengers
Possibly the biggest pay-off from Phase 4 audiences will see is the culmination of Sorcerer Supreme Wong’s (Benedict Wong) networking with heroes to presumably lead the post-Endgame Avengers. Between Wong’s expanded, yet still mysterious, role in the Multiverse Saga and the character’s witty charm, he has become a somewhat fan-favorite. His appearance at the end of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings set him on a path to recruit heroes from across the MCU for his cause.
America Chavez, the formidable potential Young Avenger, is currently learning the mystical arts under Wong’s tutelage, as he liaises with other powerful heroes. His offer of refuge for Emil Blonsky’s Abomination in She-Hulk and welcoming of Shang-Chi and Katy among established heroes like Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers, among other appearances, seem to cement Wong’s importance in the events to come. Perhaps the next iteration of the Avengers truly will be Wong’s Avengers.
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)