Is Marvel planning to end the Multiverse Saga?
Marvel Studios is in a tough spot as it is now looking at the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). After the massive success of the Infinity Saga, which wrapped up with Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Marvel is struggling to keep the momentum going. The Multiverse Saga—meant to explore new storylines through alternate realities and timelines—hasn’t resonated with audiences in the same way. It’s a tall order to follow up on what many consider two of the best superhero films of all time, and Marvel’s recent attempts haven’t exactly hit the mark.
Despite some recent box office wins like Wakanda Forever and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, other projects have left fans feeling disappointed. Shows and movies like Eternals, Thor: Love and Thunder, She-Hulk, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania have received mixed reviews, with fans and critics questioning if Marvel has lost its spark. Marvel has come to realize that they need to step up and shift gears to reconnect with audiences, especially after a series of projects that just didn’t land as expected.
So, is Marvel planning to end the Multiverse Saga?
To address this, Marvel reportedly wants to fast-track the Multiverse Saga to a conclusion. They’re looking to wrap it up with two big Avengers films: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. In order to focus on these epic movies, they’ve had to delay some planned projects, including Shang-Chi 2, which has now been pushed back to Phase Seven. That’s a tough call since the original Shang-Chi was one of the more positively received films from Phase Four, even if it didn’t set box office records. Actor Simu Liu, who plays Shang-Chi, will likely make an appearance in the upcoming crossover events, though it may only be a supporting role.
Adding to this strategy, Marvel is hoping that familiar faces will help reignite fan enthusiasm. They’re even bringing back Robert Downey Jr., who previously played Iron Man, but this time he’ll return as Doctor Doom—a major villain. Marvel is hoping Downey’s charisma and popularity will recapture the excitement and emotional connection audiences once had with the MCU. While there’s a risk in relying on an old fan favorite to carry the story, Marvel is betting that Downey can bring some of that old magic back.
The challenge now is for Marvel to develop gripping, well-paced stories that truly hook viewers. Part of the issue may not even be with the Multiverse Saga itself, but with the fact that audiences keep comparing everything to the Infinity Saga, which set an incredibly high bar. Thanos, the saga’s iconic villain, had been teased as far back as 2012, giving Marvel plenty of time to build up his character across multiple movies before the final showdown. The Multiverse Saga, on the other hand, has struggled to find its footing, with Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror not connecting with audiences the way Thanos did.
Marvel knows it needs to step up its game to get back on track, which will require more than just a parade of fan-favorite characters or star power. To rebuild trust and excitement, they’ll need to deliver on stories that have depth and a genuine emotional pull. The hope is that with careful storytelling and a more focused approach, Marvel can win back fans who feel that the MCU has lost some of its shine. With Kevin Feige at the helm—a producer who’s surprised audiences before—Marvel might just pull it off and find a way to reignite the magic that first captivated fans.
