The MCU Is Making This Major Mistake With Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars

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It seems that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is attempting to recreate the powerful one-two punch of 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War and 2019’s Avengers: Endgame with 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. However, these upcoming films may not have the elements that made the Infinity Saga so effective. As the finale of the Multiverse Saga, covering MCU Phases 4, 5, and 6, Doomsday and Secret Wars will feature heroes and villains from multiple realities colliding. Although details about Secret Wars’ plot are scarce, we know that Doomsday’s story revolves around the Avengers, Thunderbolts/New Avengers, and several X-Men members banding together to fight Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). Following the premiere of Thunderbolts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently the only MCU film scheduled for release before Doomsday sets the stage for the franchise’s next major two-part event.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars,” but my excitement has been somewhat tempered by the inconsistent quality of recent Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions. The return of Robert Downey Jr. and the revival of the original X-Men, although expected, feel a bit outdated given the passage of time. If these elements aren’t handled skillfully in “Doomsday,” they could potentially undermine the movie’s success.

However, an even greater concern looms over the horizon. Since the beginning of Phase 4, the interconnectedness that once defined the MCU seems to have faded away. With no grand event tying all the narrative threads together, the buildup to “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” feels lacking. This absence of a clear lead-in presents a significant hurdle for both movies to overcome in order to achieve success.

Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars Lack the Buildup Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame Had

Avengers: Doomsday” revolves around an unassembled team of superheroes, a malevolent force that hasn’t been hinted at in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) until now. While the Thunderbolts and X-Men have their own established identities, the team led by Sam Wilson as Captain America hasn’t made significant strides since Phase 4 began. “Doomsday” anticipates bringing together numerous heroes and introducing a fresh villain. The sheer multitude of characters in this storyline appears to lack proper development compared to the magnitude suggested.

Thanos, a powerful antagonist, was hinted at as a major threat before his main appearance in “Infinity War”. He made subtle, foreboding appearances in the movies “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015). Meanwhile, the Avengers, led by Steve Rogers/Captain America and Tony Stark/Iron Man, established their relationships and team dynamics in earlier films like “The Avengers” (2012), “Age of Ultron”, and “Captain America: Civil War” (2016). These stories served as a build-up to the intense narratives of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame”. This setup allowed Earth’s mightiest heroes to interact and grow together under less pressing circumstances before confronting their most formidable enemy.

As a die-hard movie buff, I’d say it’s understandable for some to question the need for another set of Avengers films that echo “The Avengers” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” After all, the idea of the Avengers isn’t exactly fresh in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, what the franchise lacks leading up to “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” is a cohesively interconnected universe – a critical element that was instrumental in making “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame” as captivating as they were. The MCU is going all-in with nostalgia, the multiverse, and everything in between, aiming to win back fans’ ardor for their superhero franchise, but it seems to be missing that special ingredient that made those two movies stand out.

The MCU’s Failure to Properly Preface Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars Threatens to Derail Both Movies

As a result of Tony Stark (Iron Man), Steve Rogers (Captain America), and Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) departing, along with numerous new characters appearing in Phases 4 and 5, the lineup of Avengers in “Doomsday” will be significantly altered compared to the team that fought Thanos in “Infinity War” and “Endgame.” The Marvel Cinematic Universe could have benefited from gradually introducing the new leadership and heroes within a lower-stakes scenario before tackling another major villain, and failing to establish a smooth transition to the Avengers movies in the Multiverse Saga is a substantial mistake.

To put it simply, changing the antagonist from Kang the Conqueror to Doctor Doom in the last minute isn’t beneficial. Introducing Kang as the main villain in the abandoned “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” could have maximized the impact of his rise as a major threat instead of abandoning that potential. Furthermore, the confusion deepens when we consider that the Avengers are said to be only a small part of the focus in “Doomsday”, making it unclear how they will introduce the updated team while also integrating other hero groups and an entirely new villain. This could lead to the movies “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” becoming overloaded with too many elements, potentially resulting in underdeveloped and disorganized films that might have been improved with a clearer introduction.

In Phases 4 and 5, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has magnificently broadened its universe and cast of characters, however, this growth seems to have pushed the Avengers into a secondary role within the diverse segments and alliances of the franchise. To set the stage for the much-awaited double blow of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, the Multiverse Saga should ideally include at least one Avengers film to reaffirm Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as key players before these exciting events unfold.

The movie titled “Avengers: Doomsday” is set to hit the big screens on May 1, 2026. Meanwhile, we can anticipate the release of “Avengers: Secret Wars” on May 7, 2027.

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2025-05-04 04:40