The topic “Marvel Studios May Reboot the MCU After This Phase 6 Movie” has two versions, the article version below, and the video version below the article.
There is speculation that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may undergo a reboot after the conclusion of Phase 6.
Marvel Studios has been producing super-powered stories for over 15 years, and the franchise’s complex narrative is becoming burdensome.
The upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars marks the next culmination point of the series, following a less impressive Phase 4 and 5, and is expected to introduce Marvel heroes from past films into the multiverse.
Is Avengers 6 the ideal opportunity for the franchise to begin afresh?
Secret Wars: The Perfect Set-Up To Reboot The MCU
In Phase 6, Marvel may consider rebooting their universe by adapting Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars storyline. This version, which came out in 2015 and was loved by fans, features a convergence of different comic universes on a Multiversal planet known as Battleworld. This convergence allows Marvel to choose which elements to incorporate into their mainline continuity and discard those that are no longer relevant. This presents a great opportunity for Marvel to refresh their universe while introducing new and exciting ideas.
The upcoming Avengers movie, Secret Wars, may not follow the comic event exactly, but it could serve as a way for Marvel Studios to bring closure to their current storyline.
If they were considering a reboot, Secret Wars could be the perfect way to end the current continuity. With the potential inclusion of characters from Fox’s X-Men and Sony’s Spider-Man franchises, this movie could be a thrilling finale for fans of the original Marvel Cinematic Universe.
After the movie’s release, Marvel Studios could follow in the footsteps of their comic book counterparts and decide which elements to keep moving forward with, while starting fresh with the rest.
A Smoother X-Men Introduction
After Phase 6 of the MCU, one of the advantages of a partial reboot would be a smoother introduction of the X-Men, Marvel’s iconic mutants.
So far, Marvel Studios has only hinted at mutants in its franchise, with characters like Kamala Kahn and Namor planting the mutant seeds.
However, Marvel also seems ready to bring back the last generation of X-Men to the screen. Hugh Jackman is confirmed to appear in Deadpool 3, and Fox’s X-Men characters are expected to join the Avengers in Secret Wars.
If Phase 7 is indeed the start of the Mutant Saga in the MCU, a pseudo-reboot of the on-screen universe may be the best approach. This way, Kevin Feige and his team can give these legacy heroes a final farewell in the Secret Wars movie, then lock them behind at the end of Phase 6. This will reduce confusion as new actors take on the roles of fan-favorite characters in the MCU.
Fresh Beginnings for Classic Heroes
This proposed reboot presents an opportunity for the MCU to introduce new heroes such as Wolverine and Cyclops while also reintroducing classic heroes already seen in the franchise.
Iconic characters like Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor could be given new life, allowing actors like Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo to move on from the franchise and new actors to take on these roles.
Following the Secret Wars comic playbook, Marvel Studios could choose heroes from Phases 1-6 to move forward and assume leadership roles within the Avengers ranks, such as the Fantastic Four, Ms. Marvel, and Spider-Man.
Over the next decade, gradually bringing back these classic MCU characters as younger, new takes on the characters could be an exciting way to have some of the younger heroes from the reboot take on the role of mentor instead of mentee.
Pointing the MCU in a New Direction
A post-Secret Wars reboot would give the Marvel franchise a much-needed sense of direction after a somewhat uneven track record since Avengers: Endgame. Marvel Studios’ recent efforts have been divisive, to say the least, with the franchise feeling somewhat aimless after years of building up to the Infinity War/Endgame duology over the course of a decade.
With so many threads to pull on within the expansive Marvel universe that has been growing since 2008, the MCU may be starting to buckle under the weight of its own continuity. By pruning some of the branches and cleaning up the Marvel Studios topiary garden, the franchise could potentially move forward with greater flexibility without being beholden to decisions made nearly 20 years ago.
This renewed narrative flexibility could offer the series a clearer direction moving forward, allowing the MCU to explore new avenues and break free from the limitations of past adventures. While some may fear that this creative openness could be paralyzing, it’s better to have too many options than none at all.
Avengers: Secret Wars is set to hit theaters on May 7, 2027.
