Summary
Once upon a time, theMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) had the world in a well-deserved chokehold that spanned years; and all because it was a well-oiled machine of interesting, interconnected stories. Now, it’s nothing more than a tangled timeline with underwhelming villains. After the massive success ofAvengers: Endgame, theMCUfranchise attempted to go bigger, introducing the multiverse as its next big saga. But instead of keeping fans entertained, the multiverse has created more problems than it has solved.
The MCU’s timeline needs a clean break. And the best way to do that,if a reboot is out of the questiono,is another time jump. TheAvengers: Endgame’sfive-year leap helped propel the franchise forward — literally and figuratively. Skipping ahead again could allow Marvel to switch things up, focus on stronger storytelling, and leave behind the convoluted elements and plot lines that have arguably driven away a part of the general audience.
The Five-Year Time Jump Saved the MCU Once, and It Can Do It Again
Marvel Studios took a massive creative risk inAvengers: Endgameby adding a five-year time jump after the “blip.” The studio chose not to pick up right whereInfinity Warleft off, and instead leaped forward into a world that had changed significantly. Yes, it was jarring. But it also allowed characters to evolve and set the stage for an emotional, high-stakes finale. That decision worked partly because it gavecharacters like Tony Starkand Steve Rogers enough personal growth for a conclusive arc, while also laying the groundwork for a new era of heroes.
Now, the MCU finds itself in a similar situation. Its post-Endgameera has struggled to maintain momentum, and many of its recent projects (especially those centered around the multiverse) have left audiences more confused than excited.
The Multiverse Saga Has Become a Narrative Mess
WhenLokifirst introduced “He Who Remains”and the idea of a branching multiverse, it seemed like a fresh direction for the MCU. But by the show’s second season, it became difficult for fans to follow along with its never-ending exposition on the consequences of time travel and variant shenanigans. Even the famous cameos that functioned both as desserts and appetizers became more and more difficult to digest. The MCU essentially turned to homework. Instead of creating a compelling Infinity saga-like story, the multiversal theory has led to disjointed storytelling, unfulfilled promises, and a general lack of narrative cohesion.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessalso teased endless possibilities, but it only delivered a handful of universes. Tiamut’s seismic birth somehow remains forgotten by Feige and his team.Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniawas supposed to establish Kang as the next great MCU villain, but the film fell flat. And of course,Jonathan Majors' “major” off-screen assault-related controversiesdid anything but keep its future afloat.
A Time Jump Could Save Shang-Chi and Other Underrated Heroes
One of the biggest casualties of the MCU afterAvengers: Endgameis the sidelining of iconic characters like Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Natasha Romanov. Promising newcomers such as Shang-Chi, the Eternals, Moon Knight, and Blade have been overshadowed by the focus on the multiverse storyline.Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsis a strong Phase 4 entry, but instead of a successful integration,Shang Chi was left hanging in uncertaintyby his Marvel overlords.The Eternalsand Marc Spector’sMoon Knightdidn’t fare better. The former movie introduced fascinating cosmic elements andan exciting Harry Styles cameo, yet they’ve barely been mentioned since and Spector’s story failed to find fertile soil in the larger MCU.
A time jump could place Shang-Chi in a world where he’s already grown into a major player,and potentially step him up into a leadership role in a newAvengerslineup. Viewers already got a glimpse of him in a similar role while fighting center-stage as a mecha soldier for the Avengers team inWhat If…?Season 3’s first episode.The Eternalsdidn’t have the best reviews, but they deserve a second chance.
Most importantly, a fresh timeline could set the stage for theX-Men’s proper introduction, which fans have been anticipating for years. The mutants’ arrival is inevitable, but ifDeadpool & Wolverine’sreception is anything to go by (and it is!), then it’s obvious that fans are more than ready to have them back on the big screen.
How the MCU Can Execute a Time Jump Without a Full Reboot
The biggest challenge Kevin Feige faces with an MCU time jump would be making it feel natural, rather than a desperate attempt at course correction. One of the safest options lies in the upcomingAvengers: Secret Wars. If the rumors are true that the film will be a multiversal collision of past and present Marvel characters, it could be so good a chance to close the book on the current saga. There will be no restoring the timeline to what it was.
Instead,Avengers: Secret Warscould end with a new status quo,one where the multiverse has crashed, Kang’s influence is erased, and a fresh timeline has been established. It’s not undoable, or incomprehensible. As a plus, the MCU wouldn’t need to erase the past. Characters like Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Thor could still exist, but in a world that no longer feels burdened by over-explanations or life-altering time travel mumbo-jumbo. It would also allow the MCU to subtly age its characters.
Alternatively, Marvel could use an in-universe explanation similar to what happened inEndgame. Some kind of major event forces a global shift, leaving audiences to catch up alongside the characters as they try to understand their changed world. This method worked well inEndgame, as it created intrigue aboutwhat had happened during the lost yearswithout having to spell everything out or insert long explainers into the characters’ dialogue.
The MCU Has No Reason To Look Backward
The MCU’s greatest strength has always been its ability to grow. The Infinity Saga worked because it had a clear, well-structured journey that built toward an unforgettable climax. The Multiverse saga, on the other hand, has so far felt aimless and convoluted. Kevin Feige has said that the Saga could be a way of “bridging the gap” between characters’ stories. It’s not a bad idea, but the most viable way for a series this big to course-correct might be a big enough jump that it can refocus its story and re-center certain characters without erasing its past. Fans can only wait and see what direction the studio takes, and hope it’s the right one.
