The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is celebrated for its intricate storytelling, weaving together a vast array of characters and plots. However, not all crucial events unfold on-screen. In fact, several significant developments occur in the gaps between films and shows, prompting audiences to glean information from dialogue and fleeting flashbacks. This approach aids in maintaining a streamlined narrative but can sometimes lead to missed storytelling opportunities that may have added depth and excitement.
Encompassing an extensive collection of movies, television series, and additional materials such as tie-in comics, the MCU offers various representations of pivotal events that transpire between its main projects. While some omitted moments serve to enhance the overall storytelling efficiency, others leave noticeable gaps that feel reactive or underdeveloped. This evaluation ranks those impactful off-screen events based on their importance to the MCU’s overarching narrative, as well as the effectiveness or disappointment stemming from their exclusion.
10
Spider-Man’s Origin Story
Before Captain America: Civil War
When Spider-Man joined the MCU in Captain America: Civil War, the absence of his traditional origin story was striking. By the onset of Spider-Man: Homecoming, audiences were left to ponder the details of Peter Parker’s radioactive spider bite and Uncle Ben’s demise, as these moments are only briefly alluded to in casual conversation with his friend Ned.
This decision was undoubtedly astute, as viewers had been introduced to Spider-Man’s origins through two previous cinematic adaptions starring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Forgoing a retelling allowed Homecoming to dive into an innovative portrayal, focusing on Peter as a young superhero ready to embrace his identity without rehashing old stories. While some die-hard fans may have longed for a direct acknowledgment of Uncle Ben, this choice facilitated a smoother integration of Spider-Man into the MCU’s tapestry, eliminating the risk of redundancy.
9
Thanos Intercepts And Destroys The Asgardians
Between Thor: Ragnarok And Avengers: Infinity War
While Thor: Ragnarok concluded on a promising note as Thor guided the surviving Asgardians toward a brighter future, the start of Avengers: Infinity War quickly darkened the scene. Thanos swiftly intercepted the refugee ship, unleashing chaos that left fans intrigued and wishing for an in-depth look at the climactic battle.
This decisive moment underscores Thanos’ ruthless nature and establishes immediate stakes, but its off-screen occurrence left many yearning for a visual representation of this confrontation. Such a sequence could have showcased the Asgardians’ resilience in their struggle against Thanos’s forces, enriching the narrative with high-stakes tension. Despite the pacing benefit obtained from omitting the battle, its significance in emphasizing Thanos’ dominance in the MCU cannot be overstated.
8
Bruce Banner Reconciles With Hulk
Between Avengers: Infinity War And Avengers: Endgame
A significant turning point in Avengers: Endgame was Bruce Banner’s transformation into Professor Hulk—a harmonious blend of his human self and the Hulk. However, the audience never witnesses the transformation process. Previously in Infinity War, Banner struggled to summon the Hulk following their devastating defeat, leaving viewers with little context for his later success.
This alteration dramatically shifted the Hulk’s character trajectory, yet the lack of a visual depiction left fans curious about the emotional and narrative nuances of this critical evolution. Given the well-established tension between Bruce and the Hulk throughout the MCU, experiencing how Banner reconciled with his alter ego could have provided a rich exploration of their relationship.
7
Hulk Fathers A Son On Sakaar
Before Thor: Ragnarok
The surprise unveiling of Hulk’s son, Skaar, in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law left audiences baffled. Presented casually by Hulk without any preamble, fans were left in the dark regarding the circumstances leading to Skaar’s existence. Given Hulk’s time on Sakaar during Thor: Ragnarok, it’s presumed this event took place during or prior to his time as a gladiator.
Nevertheless, the unexpected reveal lacked sufficient build-up or narrative significance. If Skaar is intended to play a crucial role in future MCU projects, his introduction would have immensely benefited from elaboration. As a result, this moment stands out as one of the most jarring omissions in the MCU, emphasizing the risks of glossing over critical story components.
6
Baron Mordo’s Crusade Against Dr. Strange and the Sorcerers
Between Doctor Strange And Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
By the conclusion of Doctor Strange, Karl Mordo embarks on a mission to eliminate sorcerers from the world, which holds immense potential for exploration in subsequent films. However, by the time audiences arrive at Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, this subplot is relegated to passing commentary. Stephen Strange mentions that Mordo went mad and pursued him for years, but the audience is left without any depiction of their confrontations.
Considering the prior dynamics between Mordo and Strange, this storyline could have produced an exciting film or series. It was anticipated that this conflict would play a vital role in the sequel, highlighting the missed opportunity to fully explore Mordo’s character development and the lack of a substantial adversary for Strange as a result.
5
Captain America Breaks The Avengers Out Of The Raft
Between Captain America: Civil War And Avengers: Infinity War
The finale of Captain America: Civil War climaxes with Steve Rogers breaking into the Raft, an underwater prison for superhumans, to liberate his imprisoned allies. However, this high-stakes escape is rendered merely implied through a smile exchanged between Captain America and his team. Given the Raft’s formidable reputation, witnessing the intricacies of their breakout would have provided an exhilarating action sequence.
This moment would have clarified how characters such as Falcon, Scarlet Witch, and Ant-Man navigated the challenges of remaining undercover afterward. By bypassing this event, the MCU missed an opportunity to capture the thrilling ingenuity and leadership of Captain America, ultimately neglecting an action-packed highlight that could rival the franchise’s best sequences.
4
The Avengers During The Blip Years
Between Avengers: Infinity War And Avengers: Endgame
As Avengers: Endgame unfolds, viewers learn that five years have elapsed since Thanos’ fateful Snap. Natasha Romanoff is seen leading a new group featuring War Machine, Captain Marvel, Rocket Raccoon, and Nebula. Yet, the audience is deprived of witnessing this intriguing lineup of Avengers in action.
This period in the MCU offers the potential for captivating storytelling, delving into how the remaining heroes coped with widespread chaos and threats during the aftermath of the Snap. Observing Natasha develop as a leader while grappling with a mix of unique superheroes would have elevated her character arc significantly, making her later sacrifice even more poignant. Regrettably, by omitting this storyline, viewers missed the chance to witness a novel incarnation of the Avengers operating under dire conditions.
3
Thanos Invades Xandar For The Power Stone
Before Avengers: Infinity War
As Avengers: Infinity War commences, Thanos has already secured the Power Stone from Xandar without any accompanying visual representation; this action is relegated to a simple line of exposition from Thor. Given the importance of Xandar within the Guardians of the Galaxy narrative and the established role of the Nova Corps as peacekeepers, showcasing Thanos’s assault on the planet could have resulted in a visually spectacular battle.
Such a depiction would have served to underscore Thanos’ formidable prowess well before he acquires all the Infinity Stones. Furthermore, the fall of Xandar might have set the stage for future narratives involving the Nova Corps or even the introduction of Richard Rider (Nova) into the MCU. Skipping over this critical invasion ultimately represented a missed opportunity to create a defining moment for Thanos and expand the cosmic storytelling within the MCU.
2
Thanos Recruits Loki To Find The Tesseract
Between Thor And The Avengers
The early connections in the MCU are notably exemplified through the alliance between Thanos and Loki, culminating in the Chitauri invasion depicted in The Avengers. However, the process of how Thanos manipulated Loki into seeking the Tesseract and provided him with the Chitauri army remains shrouded in mystery, only hinted at in subsequent films.
Experiencing this interaction firsthand could have added dimension to Loki’s character arc, illustrating how he was tempted or coerced into collaboration with Thanos. It would have also elucidated Thanos’ overarching strategy for acquiring the Infinity Stones. Considering that both characters are beloved by fans, a direct portrayal of their negotiations and shifting dynamics would have provided essential clarity and heightened the stakes of Loki’s role in The Avengers.
1
Captain America Returns The Infinity Stones
After Avengers: Endgame
Following the defeat of Thanos, Steve Rogers embarks on a significant journey to return the Infinity Stones to their rightful places, safeguarding the timeline from potentially hazardous divergences. Yet this monumental quest—critical to the MCU’s narrative fabric—remains unexplored on-screen. Audiences are left questioning how Steve navigated the time-traveling intricacies, the challenges he faced along the way, and the means by which he returned the Soul Stone to Vormir, potentially confronting Red Skull in the process.
Not only would this adventure have massive implications for the multiverse, but it also leads to Steve’s decision to remain in the past and reunite with Peggy Carter. Illustrating his interactions with past MCU characters and depicting how he resolved each timeline anomaly could have provided material for an exceptional standalone movie or Disney+ series. By leaving this narrative thread unexplored, the MCU forfeited the chance to present one of its most emotionally and logistically rich tales.