The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has officially entered a new phase with the explosive release of Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania, introducing the major character Kang the Conqueror on the big screen. However, up to this point, this position still holds many significant mysteries that have yet to be resolved, scattered throughout various projects over the first four phases.
Marvel Studios is renowned for being a master in the art of “branding” its products. The continuous connection of details, though often subtle, carries substantial significance in shaping narratives and paving the way for future films. However, not a few details have turned into serious puzzles that this studio needs to address in upcoming phases.
Who purchased the Avengers Tower?
One of the biggest mysteries of the MCU currently originates from the bombshell in Spider-Man: Homecoming, released in 2017. Six years have passed, and there remains no substantial clue regarding the identity of the entity that purchased the Avengers Tower from Tony Stark. According to this film, Tony decided to sell the tower after constructing a new headquarters for the Avengers in the outskirts of the city.
It’s noteworthy that in the first season of Loki, a different version of the Avengers Tower appeared in the realm known as The Void – a place that houses everything that the Time Variance Authority (TVA) has erased from reality. At that time, the tower was renamed QENG Tower, a detail related to the villain Kang the Conqueror. In the comics, QENG Tower belongs to Mister Gryphon, an alternate version of Kang, and is also the entity that purchased the Avengers Tower from Stark.
Despite this, there are some theories suggesting that this tower may transform into Baxter Building, the headquarters of the Fantastic Four, as this superhero team is set to make its MCU debut starting in Phase 6.
The true purpose of a Celestial’s actions
In the finale of Eternals, part of Phase 4 of the MCU, the heroes banded together to prevent the emergence of the Celestial named Tiamut. This event helped Earth avoid mass destruction but simultaneously caused significant turmoil among the Eternals due to their disagreement with Celestial Arishem’s intentions.
Before the emergence of Tiamut could be halted, he had already begun to break ground and a massive hand could be seen rising from the Earth’s surface. The series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law confirmed that Tiamut’s appearance received considerable public attention and left many stunned, particularly when a massive celestial body was juxtaposed against the backdrop of the Earth.
It is clear that this is one of the pressing issues that Marvel Studios needs to resolve in the future. More importantly, how the Earth will deal with Tiamut’s potential emergence, especially when this Celestial continues to exert its influence, remains a crucial question.
Has the X-Men franchise officially made its debut, and do they exist within the MCU?
Phase 4 of the MCU has confirmed that this cinematic universe not only features one but two distinct characters. The main characters are Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, who is an Inhuman in the comics (instead of a Mutant), and Namor, one of the oldest characters in the MCU.
Referring to characters in the Marvel universe, many people may think of the X-Men, with iconic figures like Professor X or Wolverine. So, if the characters have officially appeared in the MCU, do the X-Men exist in this cinematic universe? And if so, what have they been doing while the Avengers have been fighting for the Earth? We hope to have a clear answer when Deadpool officially joins the MCU in 2024.
The origins of the Ten Rings in Shang-Chi
The origin of the Ten Rings that Shang-Chi possesses remains one of the biggest mysteries of the MCU in Phase 4. Wenwu, Shang-Chi’s father, has been searching for these ancient artifacts for thousands of years, yet he himself does not fully understand what they are or where they originate from.
The credits of Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings confirmed that even the most renowned heroes like Wong, Bruce Banner, or Carol Danvers could not explain the origin of these ten rings. However, they have discovered that they serve as a signal to a distant realm, with some speculating that they are high-tech artifacts created by Kang and are possibly a means of delivering signals to other dimensions.
Captain Marvel’s journey before the events of Endgame
Carol Danvers is a crucial figure for the Avengers in the battle against Thanos in the blockbuster Avengers: Endgame. However, her journey as a superhero dates back to the 1990s, a time when she formed a notable bond with Nick Fury. To this day, there are still mysteries surrounding her character. Despite having a communication device to reach Carol anytime, Fury did not use it for a long time, even when Loki or Ultron posed threats to Earth.
Captain Marvel will return in a new adventure in the upcoming blockbuster The Marvels, scheduled for release on November 10, 2023, alongside two other superheroes, Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau.
Will Daredevil join the Avengers?
Having appeared in both Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, Daredevil has officially become part of the MCU. Although portrayed by actor Charlie Cox, it is still challenging to determine whether this version of Daredevil differs from his Netflix predecessor. Additionally, the future of this superhero in the MCU remains uncertain, especially considering his role in the ongoing narrative.
His return and his potential role in the MCU could be clarified further through the series Daredevil: Born Again, which is set to debut in Spring 2024. A significant point of interest for audiences is whether Daredevil will join the Avengers to combat Kang the Conqueror in Phase 6.
Will MJ and Ned revive their connections with Peter Parker and Spider-Man?
In the final act of Spider-Man: No Way Home, to prevent a dangerous exposure among realities, Peter Parker decided to perform Doctor Strange’s spell to erase everyone’s memory of his existence as Spider-Man, which included MJ and Ned, his closest friends.
While plans were in place to rekindle their friendships after the danger passed, at the last moment, Peter altered his decision, believing it would be safer for them not to remember the events of the past. Peter Parker will likely return to the MCU in at least one future film, embarking on a new journey, one that is more mature and distinct. Furthermore, this could provide Marvel with an opportunity to resolve the lingering issues in the relationship between Peter and MJ that No Way Home left unresolved.
The complex relationship between Kang and the Avengers
At this point, it is challenging to gauge the power level of Kang the Conqueror, as well as his variations, within the MCU. The blockbuster Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania has established Kang as a formidable force, even hinting at his potential role as a villain among the Avengers in alternate realities. However, despite the multiple variations of Kang, they possess different power levels, and it is likely that there will be even stronger characters than those seen so far.
Some theories suggest that the Avengers will face various versions of Kang before participating in major events such as The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. However, after Endgame, the Avengers’ lineup has seen a considerable shakeup, and to this day, no one knows who will be part of this new team. To counter a formidable foe like Kang, it is clear that the Avengers will need to bring in several powerful heroes, especially someone capable of stepping in for Captain America and Iron Man.
Source: Marvel Studios, ScreenRant
