10 MCU Wasted Opportunities: From Secret Invasion to Avengers Dynamics

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Undeniably, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has proven to be a massive source of entertainment, yet there have been instances where improvements could have been made with some adjustments. Since its inception in 2008, the MCU has surpassed all expectations, constructing an expansive narrative that generates billions at the box office. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean it is flawless.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has produced some incredible hits, such as Avengers: Endgame, but it’s also ventured into projects that were too ambitious or, in certain instances, adaptations of promising comic book stories fell short of expectations. In other words, the MCU has experienced its share of less-than-satisfying moments.

10. Secret Invasion’s Story Has Some Huge Missed Potential

Among the less satisfying adventures in the Multiverse Saga was a tale brimming with untapped promise – Secret Invasion. This captivating comic book narrative has been hailed as one of the greatest ever crafted, encompassing countless issues over extended periods. The plot revolves around numerous Earth-based superheroes being exposed as Skrull infiltrators, leading up to an unforgettable climax that brings the invasion to a close.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s adaptation, the narrative was significantly reduced to fit within a TV format, with a smaller budget and fewer connections to main-series movies and characters. Consequently, what could have been an epic, expansive story instead appeared diminished and insignificant. It would have been more fitting as a saga, rather than a limited series.

9. Hulk’s Son Skaar Appeared With No Backstory

On Sakaar, the Hulk moved about freely without Bruce Banner’s interference. Yet, upon returning to Earth, control shifted back to Bruce Banner. This unexpected revelation unveiled that Hulk had a son named Skaar, which was briefly introduced in the post-credit scene of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, without any prior explanation or development.

Marvel presents a intricate plotline here, with questions such as whether Bruce truly has a bond with his supposed son, given that the Hulk was controlling the vehicle. Also, it’s unclear if Skaar feels fondness towards Bruce, or resentment because his father, the Hulk, is now essentially just a body hosting Banner’s mind. The Marvel Cinematic Universe leaves these aspects mysterious and convoluted, offering no additional insight to clarify the origin story’s unfolding.

8. Not Giving Scorpion An Actual Villain Story After Spider-Man: Homecoming

In the post-credits scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Michael Mando made his live-action debut as Mac Gargan. This was a surprising moment because his character hadn’t been seen before in live-action. Mando seemed an ideal choice for the role, but then he didn’t show up in Far From Home. Later on, No Way Home came out and again, Mac was missing.

In animated series and comics, Scorpion is often portrayed as a formidable adversary, while Mando has proven himself to be an exceptional antagonist in his other roles. Failing to leverage this casting opportunity is disrespectful, and it’s been nearly a decade since the last update following Homecoming. Although there’s still hope for future development, Marvel needs to prioritize this character without delay.

7. Donald Glover Was Ready To Introduce Prowler & Miles Morales Years Ago

Discussing the untapped possibilities in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, one particularly thrilling scene involves Donald Glover making an appearance as an arms dealer named Aaron. He casually mentions having a nephew, sparking fan speculation almost immediately. They quickly realized that this character could be none other than the Prowler, and his nephew was none other than Miles Morales, who is known to many as the potential new Spider-Man.

Glover is an exceptional actor with a deep love for Miles Morales’ character, although he might be too old to portray that role in the MCU at this point. However, his potential as the Prowler, previously established in 2017, still stands. With “Spider-Man: A New Day” scheduled for release in 2026, it could be a full circle moment, but action should be taken now to make it happen.

6. Starfox Is The Brother Of Thanos In The Comics

It’s thrilling to learn that Harry Styles, a renowned global pop star, landed a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The shocking twist came when he was unveiled as Starfox in the post-credits scene. In fact, given that the movie received generally negative reviews, this scene might have been one of the most exhilarating aspects of the film due to the character Styles portrays.

In the comics, it’s Starlord, Thanos’ brother, who is known as Starfox, that we see playing the role. Their relationship is crucial in their stories, and it would have been spectacular to witness it on the big screen. Unfortunately, due to the uncertain future of the Eternals, Starfox might not get his chance to tell his perspective. However, let’s hope that in the future, his character and origin will be revisited again.

5. Bill Foster’s Giant-Man Never Came Back After His First Appearance

In Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scott Lang encounters an old associate of Hank Pym named Bill Foster, who previously worked alongside Hank on various missions. Portrayed by the esteemed Lawrence Fishburne, Foster brought depth and tension to his multifaceted character. However, despite hinting at Bill Foster’s future transformation into Giant-Man, this development was not realized in subsequent films.

Regarding Ava Starr’s association with him, there were proposals for his reappearance in Thunderbolts, even suggesting his adopted daughter would join him. However, these plans didn’t materialize either. Currently, it seems the character has faded into obscurity, leaving little expectation that he will make a comeback in the future.

4. Agents of SHIELD Was Sidelined Despite Efforts To Connect To The MCU

Following the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the box office triumph of “The Avengers”, Marvel Entertainment decided to expand their storytelling into other formats. To maintain continuity with the movies, they introduced “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, a television series set within the MCU universe. After seemingly meeting his end, Agent Phil Coulson was resurrected, serving as a key character who bridged the gap between superheroes and covert operations.

Nevertheless, the series incorporated appearances by Nick Fury and Maria Hill, along with several other characters linked to SHIELD or HYDRA. Despite striving to stay connected to the MCU, it eventually found itself detached, requiring self-reliance. The show ran for seven seasons, growing increasingly daring in its storytelling, but this disconnection was regrettable.

3. Peter Quill Could Have Explored His Celestial Powers A Little More Before They Disappeared

In “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”, it’s revealed that Peter Quill encounters his long-lost dad, but it turns out that Ego, the Living Planet, is not a benevolent figure. Despite an initial bond and a yearning for reconciliation, Quill eventually recognizes his father’s malicious intentions and the damage he inflicted wherever he went. As a result, Peter teams up with the other Guardians to bring down Ego.

Instead of maintaining a connection with his powerful Celestial father, Quill’s severance from him meant that he lost the abilities to manifest objects with his mind. Marvel may have chosen to tone down his powers to keep Peter as the charming, goofy character we know, so after his father’s death, he became entirely mortal without these divine powers.

2. Gorr The God Butcher Barely Fought Any Gods In Thor: Love & Thunder

Christian Bale is known as one of the most remarkable actors of his time, able to shape-shift for his roles and take on any character required by a project – be it a hero, a beast, or something in between. Thus, when he was chosen to portray Gorr the God Butcher, it created an exhilarating premise, as this menacing character’s arrival on the big screen became highly anticipated.

Nevertheless, unlike his comic book counterpart who effortlessly dispatches numerous deities, the version of Gorr in the MCU falls short in terms of sheer power. He may appear intimidating and even take on gods, but his true potential remains underwhelming. Showcasing a few more encounters between Gorr and these divine beings could have greatly amplified the fear factor associated with this formidable adversary.

1. The MCU Barely Showed The Avengers Interacting In Between Battles

The Thunderbolts serve as a reminder of how closely knit The New Avengers became as a family. Similarly, the Guardians of the Galaxy developed their bond with each new installment. On the other hand, the original Avengers started off more like individuals who were not well-acquainted with one another.

In standalone films, characters had sufficient time to delve into their individual narratives, whereas team-up movies moved at a rapid pace towards the finale. If given more moments to strengthen their relationships, beyond just a quick post-credits scene of them enjoying shawarma in silence, it could have further enhanced their dynamic. While they did establish friendships within the group, there was an untapped potential for deeper exploration of these bonds that wasn’t fully realized on-screen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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2025-05-11 01:27