There is no doubt that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a huge entertainment engine, but there are a couple of missteps along the way that could have been so much better with a little tweaking. Since 2008, the MCU has been defying all expectations and creating an enormous shared story that continues to earn billions at the box office. However, that doesn't make it infallible.
While the MCU has delivered some home run stories like Avengers: Endgame, the wider MCU has occasionally set its sights on projects that were unattainable. Or, on occasion, a story from the comics with a lot of potential was adapted in a disappointing way. Whatever the case, the fact is that the MCU has had its fair share of sour moments.
10 Secret Invasion's Story Has Some Huge Missed Potential
The Comic Book Series Is So Much Better
One of the most disappointing outings in the Multiverse Saga was something with so much potential. Secret Invasion is one of the most spectacular comic book stories ever made, spanning dozens of comics and years of time. In the story, there are numerous heroes who are unmasked to be Skrull's hiding on Earth, and the showdown to end the invasion is epic.
10 Worst MCU Hero Debuts In The Franchise’s History, Ranked
Over the 17-year history of the MCU, some of Marvel Studios' heroes unfortunately haven't had the chance to get a strong live-action debut.
However, in the MCU's version, the story was scaled way back in order to work in a TV format, with a smaller budget, and less crossover with the headline movies and characters. And ultimately, this made a story that should have been epic and sprawling, seem small, and unimportant. This would have been so much better as a Saga, rather than a limited series.
9 Hulk's Son Skaar Appeared With No Backstory
In A Post-Credits Scene Of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
So, Hulk was able to roam freely on Sakaar without the intervention of Bruce Banner. However, upon returning to Earth, and Bruce Banner gaining control of their shared body, it's revealed that Hulk has a son named Skaar. But this moment comes so suddenly, and with no explanation or expansion, because it's simply dropped in as a post-credit tease in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Marvel has a lot to explain with this one, including if Bruce has any actual connection to his new "son," since Hulk was in the driving seat.
Marvel has a lot to explain with this one, including if Bruce has any actual connection to his new "son," since Hulk was in the driving seat. And does Skaar like Bruce, or feel cheated that his father, Hulk, is now just a body occupied by Banner's brain? It's so complex, and so bizarre, but the MCU did nothing to further explain or ensure the origin would eventually be revealed.
8 Not Giving Scorpion An Actual Villain Story After Spider-Man: Homecoming
He Is One Of The Most Terrifying Rivals In The Animated Shows And Comics
When Michael Mando showed up in the Spider-Man: No Way Home post-credits scene playing Mac Gargan, it was a revelatory moment. The character has never appeared in live-action before, and Mando is the perfect casting for the role. But then, Far From Home came out and Mac was nowhere to be seen. A few years later, No Way Home arrives, and again, Mac is AWOL.
Scorpion is one of the most terrifying rivals in the animated shows and comics, and Mando is a phenomenal bad guy as seen in his other works. Not capitalizing on this casting is an affront, and the fact that it's almost been a decade with no update since Homecoming is disappointing. Potentially it can still happen in the future, but Marvel needs to get on top of this character ASAP.
7 Donald Glover Was Ready To Introduce Prowler & Miles Morales Years Ago
It's Not Too Late To Bring Him Back As The Prowler
Speaking of unrealized potential from Spider-Man: Homecoming, another incredibly exciting moment that plays out early in the movie is when Donald Glover shows up as a weapons dealer by the name of Aaron. He reveals that he has a nephew, and quickly, fans put two and two together that this was none other than Prowler, and his nephew was Miles Morales, aka, the next Spider-Man.
Glover is an outstanding actor, and someone who has long had a ion for the character of Miles Morales, and while he may be a little too old to play that character in the MCU, it's not too late to bring him back as the Prowler, as he was set up to be in 2017. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day coming out in 2026, there is a chance this could come full circle, but it needs to happen now.
6 Starfox Is The Brother Of Thanos In The Comics
And Their Relationship Is A Pivotal Part Of Their Stories
It's exciting enough that global pop star Harry Styles was cast in a role in the MCU, but having him play Starfox and appear in the post-credits was a mind-blowing reveal. In fact, since the movie ended up being so poorly received, it's possible that this scene alone was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, especially because of the character that Styles is playing.
I Still Can’t Believe The MCU Introduced A Perfect Way To Explore Thanos’ Story More After His Death & Have Totally Ignored It For 4 Years
The MCU set up a perfect way to make Thanos' story relevant to the franchise in a new way following his death - but this hasn't been followed up on.
Styles plays Starfox, aka the brother of the Mad Titan, Thanos. In the comics, this relationship is a pivotal part of their stories, and it's one that could have been incredible to see adapted on the big screen. However, with the fate of the Eternals not looking good, Starfox may be retired before he ever gets a chance to tell his side of the story. But hopefully the character and his origin can be revisited down the road.
5 Bill Foster's Giant-Man Never Came Back After His First Appearance
We Only Saw Him In Ant-Man And The Wasp (2018)
In Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scott Land meets an old friend of Hank Pym, Bill Foster, who used to team up with Hank on missions. Foster is played by Laurence Fishburne, a legend in his own right, who added gravity and intensity to his complex role. And while this was a clear set-up for Bill Foster's Giant-Man to make an appearance down the line, it never materialized.
Considering his connection with Ava Starr, there were some plans to have him return for Thunderbolts* alongside his adopted daughter (via The Wrap), but that also didn't happen. Now, the character appears to have disappeared into the background, with dwindling hopes that he will ever return again.
4 Agents of SHIELD Was Sidelined Despite Efforts To Connect To The MCU
The Show Ran For 7 Seasons
After the MCU was a proven concept, with Phase One establishing a successful foundation for the sprawling universe, and The Avengers proving a big hit, Marvel wanted to branch out in other mediums. As a result, Marvel established Agents of SHIELD as a spin-off TV show for the MCU, which would still be connected to the events of the movies. Phil Coulson returned from the dead, and his role as a secret spy helped to explain the disconnect from the heroes.
Are the Agents of SHIELD Getting Back Together? Marvel Just Opened the Door
The ABC Agents of SHIELD show may be long over, but prominent of Coulson's famous team are slowly cropping up again in Marvel's comics.
However, the show did feature cameos from Nick Fury and Maria Hill, as well as a handful of other characters who were involved in SHIELD or HYDRA. Despite the best efforts of the show to keep up and remain connected to the MCU, eventually, they were left behind, and forced to fend for themselves. The show continued for seven seasons, and continued to get more adventurous with the storytelling, but the disconnect was disappointing.
3 Peter Quill Could Have Explored His Celestial Powers A Little More Before They Disappeared
His Superpowers Were Really Cool
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter Quill meets his father. However, Quill learns that Ego, the Living Planet, is not a good guy. Despite an initial connection and a desire to reconnect, Peter saw how his father was evil, and the harm he caused wherever he went, so he and the other Guardians worked together to destroy Ego.
However, this also severed Quill's connection with his father, who possessed Celestial power that his son also shared. Quill could materialize things with his mind thanks to these Celestial powers. But, Marvel likely needed to nerf his powers, and ensure he stayed the lovable goofball he always was, so rather than limited powers, Peter became completely mortal once his father died.
2 Gorr The God Butcher Barely Fought Any Gods In Thor: Love & Thunder
He's Much More Impressive In The Comics
Christian Bale is one of the most incredible actors of his generation. He can transform for his roles, and become whatever the project calls for, whether that's a hero, a monster, or something somewhere in between. So, when he was tagged to play Gorr the God Butcher, it was an incredibly exciting premise for this terrifying character to arrive on the big screen.
However, while Gorr in the comics manages to tear through countless gods, the version that appears in the MCU is considerably less impressive. Yes, he stands up to gods, and he can be intimidating, but the full impact is not felt when this character amounts to something far less powerful. Seeing even a handful of other battles between Gorr and the gods could have significantly enhanced how terrifying he is as a villain.
1 The MCU Barely Showed The Avengers Interacting In Between Battles
The Heroes Barely Had Time To Bond
The Thunderbolts* really put into perspective how much of a family The New Avengers became. In the same way, the Guardians of the Galaxy were given time and space to build their connection with each new release. But, when it comes to the original Avengers, the team was actually largely a group of strangers and solo acts.
If the heroes were given a little more time to bond, rather than a post-credits clip of them sharing shawarma silently, it might have made their dynamic even better.
With solo movies, the characters got time to explore their stories, but the team-up movies were a fast-paced race to the end. If the heroes were given a little more time to bond, rather than a post-credits clip of them sharing shawarma silently, it might have made their dynamic even better. They did form some friendships in the group, but there was a lot more potential to explore this than was ended up appearing on-screen in the MCU.
