The MCU Will Break a Major 14-Year Trend Next Year

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In my perspective as a devoted fan, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is experiencing some changes post-“Avengers: Endgame.” The future of even highly anticipated projects featuring stars like Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek remains uncertain, reflecting a somewhat lower approval rating for the MCU. As we gear up for “Avengers: Doomsday,” Marvel Studios seems to be returning to familiar grounds, with the Russo brothers back as directors and Robert Downey Jr., who once embodied the franchise, set to rejoin in a new role – this time portraying the legendary Marvel villain Doctor Doom. However, it’s not just about the return of familiar faces; the upcoming “Avengers” film is promised to bring something fresh too.

Ever since the debut of The Avengers in 2012, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have consistently pursued a common objective, although there have been moments when they were unclear about their purpose. However, with this objective now behind them, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) faces the challenge of replacing it with another goal that’s equally significant. Finding such a replacement won’t be simple, considering it must follow a storyline that started approximately 14 years ago and revolutionized cinema as we know it.

The Infinity Stones Are No Longer the Greatest Power in the MCU

As a dedicated Marvel fan, I can’t help but reflect on my favorite organization, S.H.I.E.L.D., and its significant role in the early phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). During this time, the enigmatic Nick Fury was busy assembling Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, while simultaneously keeping a watchful eye on potential threats with his impressive arsenal of resources.

In my interactions with key figures like Captain America and Iron Man, I noticed that Fury wasn’t always forthcoming about the full extent of what he knew or had at his disposal. For instance, the fact that he was utilizing the enigmatic Tesseract, a cosmic artifact, to develop deadly weapons remained hidden from them.

The story took an exciting turn when Loki entered the picture in The Avengers, seeking the Tesseract to create a portal for the Chitauri army to invade Earth. However, it was later revealed that Loki’s true master, Thanos, had a deeper understanding of the object’s power.

The truth behind the Tesseract and its connection to the Infinity Stones finally came to light in Guardians of the Galaxy, shedding new light on the mysterious cosmic entities that have been shaping the destiny of the universe.

In a universe filled with six powerful gems dispersed across the cosmos, the formidable villain Thanos covets them all, seeking their unbounded energy. Gradually, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) unveils each of these Infinity Stones and their locations. By the time we reach the climactic battle in Avengers: Infinity War, every Stone is located except for one – the elusive Soul Stone. The MCU saves its most intriguing reveal for last, as acquiring the Soul Stone requires a heart-wrenching sacrifice of someone deeply cherished. This challenge culminates in two profoundly impactful deaths within the MCU: first, Thanos sacrifices Gamora; second, Black Widow lays down her life to protect Hawkeye.

During the story, other Infinity Stones try to tug at heartstrings too, as Wanda Maximoff destroys the Mind Stone within Vision’s mind to halt Thanos. However, Thanos uses the Time Stone to reverse Vision’s death and continues his destructive mission. As Thanos mentions in “Endgame”, he seems unstoppable. It may be challenging for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to reach the same greatness as the Infinity Stones brought about, but it does have a new threat that endangers everything and everyone.

Incursions Could Take the Infinity Stones’ Place in Avengers: Doomsday

In the upcoming movie “Doomsday,” it’s not expected that Doctor Doom will be using the Infinity Stones to achieve his goals. However, this doesn’t mean the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) won’t have a threat to face in the future. In fact, the MCU has been hinting at what the Avengers will battle against in 2026 as early as “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” This movie revolves around Doctor Strange’s quest to stop Wanda from killing a character named America Chavez, who can traverse multiple realities. During his journey, Strange discovers his counterpart from Earth-838, who destroyed another universe by launching an incursion after meddling with dreams. In the MCU, messing around with reality carries heavy repercussions, and it appears that the last couple of phases have featured heroes disregarding the rules left and right.

It’s highly probable that Doom recognizes the potency of invasions and intends to leverage them for his personal advantage. Similar to Thanos, he may aspire to refashion reality according to his vision, which would necessitate pruning the superfluous elements. Invasions might not be as vibrant or captivating as the Infinity Stones, but they’re significantly more lethal. This lethality could potentially overshadow the stones and spark a trend that endures for over a decade.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

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2025-09-06 20:18