The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always looking ahead, and right now, the future feels more uncertain than ever. While Phases 1 through 3 had some shifts – projects were sometimes cancelled (like the Inhumans movie becoming a TV series), and new characters appeared unexpectedly (such as Marvel’s deal to include Spider-Man) – there was a consistent overall plan, driven by Thanos and the Infinity Stones. That clear direction hasn’t been present in Phases 4-6. The Multiverse Saga feels more confusing, and it’s even harder to predict what comes after that.
We’ve just begun Phase 6, but Avengers: Secret Wars – a massive, universe-spanning story – is only two years away, and it’s expected to significantly impact the MCU’s direction as we move into Phase 7. The big question is, how much will things change? For a long time, people have been discussing the possibility of the MCU being reset after Secret Wars, with some even suggesting a complete reboot that would allow Marvel to begin anew.
Lately, a rumor has surfaced suggesting the MCU’s reboot will preserve roughly 80% of the existing universe, only removing elements that aren’t working well. The reaction to this has been somewhat disappointing, which I actually find surprising, as it seems like the most sensible way to proceed.
Resetting The MCU Would Be An Insult To Its Past
Completely restarting or rebooting the MCU would be challenging for numerous reasons, but mainly because it would disrespect the history and everything that’s been built up so far. Yes, there have been some missteps, and a few movies or shows that perhaps shouldn’t have happened. However, the successes far overshadow the failures, and it’s those strong stories and beloved characters that have made the MCU what it is today.
It’s true that comic book movie characters have been reimagined before, but usually it’s done in a separate, distinct universe. What’s different here is that while we, the audience, would still remember the existing movies and storylines, the idea of erasing them from the story’s internal logic feels disrespectful-especially considering how important those stories are.
What’s the value in seeing an MCU timeline where the first Avengers team never came together, where the iconic snap from Thanos and Iron Man didn’t happen, Hulk didn’t have his big moments, and we never got to wonder “Why is Gamora?”? The MCU definitely needs to grow and change, but not by erasing what came before. The history is what makes the universe feel real and unique, and it would be a shame to lose that.
A Reboot Ignores One Of The MCU’s Selling Points
Alongside that, a reset would disregard something that has consistently been a strength of the MCU: consistent storytelling. This will likely always be a point of discussion, as Marvel has sometimes been flexible with established details or even rewritten past events, and that’s not necessarily a negative. However, continuity has always been a defining characteristic of the MCU, and what truly distinguished it from other superhero films: this wasn’t a universe where heroes could simply be replaced or restarted, but one where they experienced continuous, interwoven stories within a shared world.
Marvel had the option of creating self-contained series, like an Iron Man trilogy, and then restarting with new actors years later, similar to what happened with Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman. However, they decided to build a larger, interconnected universe with a growing roster of heroes, creating a dynamic and evolving world. This strategy was incredibly successful, establishing a model for shared cinematic universes that many have attempted to replicate, but none have surpassed. While there’s still value in independent stories – The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a strong example, aside from its after-credits scene – and a new reboot would likely establish its own continuity, I struggle to understand why they would erase the existing universe to make room for it.
Similar to the previous point, this feels like arguing that history isn’t important, but then claiming the new history does matter. It’s like saying both timelines are the same universe, with one simply replacing the other – unlike the difference between the DCEU and DCU, which resulted from a shift in creative direction and leadership, something that wouldn’t apply in this situation.
The MCU Does Need Replacement Heroes (But Doesn’t Need To Reboot Them)
A major point of contention surrounding the MCU’s current direction is the restriction it places on developing its most popular characters. We likely won’t see another film starring Iron Man, or a continuation of Steve Rogers’ story as Captain America. Even Thor’s future seems dependent on how many times ComicBook’s Executive Editor, Simon Gallagher, and I recently discussed this, and I have to disagree with his perspective, as I usually do.
It would be great to see another Iron Man, but that shouldn’t involve erasing Robert Downey Jr.’s version of the character. Marvel has struggled with replacing the original Avengers in a few ways: both with direct replacements, like introducing Sam Wilson as Captain America, and with new heroes like Shang-Chi or the Eternals. However, the issue isn’t simply that these aren’t the original Avengers. While some people may always prefer Chris Evans as Captain America, Anthony Mackie is doing a fantastic job in the role. The real problem lies with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Captain America: Brave New World, which were both poorly executed due to extensive rewrites and reshoots.
Shang-Chi is a truly great hero, and Simu Liu is fantastic in the role. The issue is that Marvel introduced him in 2021 and hasn’t followed up since. The same can be said for Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), who steps in as the new Hawkeye; she’s a delight to watch and deserved a bigger role. Yelena Belova is essentially the new Black Widow and one of Marvel’s strongest new characters, with the potential to become a leading figure in the MCU. Avengers: Doomsday should aim to further establish her importance. The film could also introduce a new Iron Man, but only if it’s done naturally and prioritizes quality, and it should honor the legacy of the previous heroes (something Ironheart could have achieved if Marvel hadn’t released the series on Disney+ three years after Riri Williams’ impressive first appearance).
Honestly, as a huge MCU fan, I’ve always felt that character recognition isn’t everything. Think about Iron Man – he wasn’t a household name when he first appeared! And let’s not forget the Guardians of the Galaxy – that studio turned a bunch of relative unknowns into heroes who powered a trilogy that earned $2.5 billion worldwide! They did it because those movies were just *good* – they were a blast, genuinely funny, and they made you really connect with the characters. That’s what Marvel needs to prioritize moving forward into Phase 6 and beyond, not just constantly rebooting things. It’s about creating compelling stories and characters that audiences care about.
The upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for release in theaters on July 31st, 2026. Following that will be Avengers: Doomsday on December 18th, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17th, 2027.
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2025-10-01 20:42