As we know, all Marvel superhero movies have been released up until now and in the near future (such as Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, etc.) are primarily aimed at preparing for the biggest battle in cinematic history titled Avengers: Infinity War.
Due to its grand scale, the investment allocated for Avengers: Infinity War is remarkably high. So after this epic battle, which countries will the Marvel Cinematic Universe venture into next? Let’s explore together.
1. Secret Wars
Back in the 1980s, Marvel sought a compelling reason to bring all characters together in a single storyline, which ultimately led to the creation of Secret Wars. This is the largest crossover event in the history of Marvel Comics.
In Secret Wars, a mysterious cosmic entity named Beyonder has been observing Earth and tracking our superheroes for years. On a fateful day, he decides to abduct all heroes and villains and transport them to Battleworld – a planet created by him. Here, the heroes of Earth will fight against each other, and the victor will be granted any wish they desire.
Although it has not been critically acclaimed, Secret Wars is a fantastic and grand narrative that filmmakers can exploit following the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
2. Secret Invasion
Next is another storyline in Marvel’s Secret series, titled Secret Invasion, which debuted in 2008. In this comic, you will be introduced to the invasion of Earth by the alien Skrull army, who secretly replace significant Marvel characters.
Over many years, they have infiltrated and replaced key characters in the Marvel universe with the intent to divide and weaken Earth’s defenses from within. Imagine if the current number of superheroes on Earth was too many to handle, then any invasion from outside forces would surely lead to their downfall, but what if the weakness comes from within? This is precisely how the Skrulls operate.
3. Fear Itself
Thor’s adventures have never been the focal point of the Marvel universe until the storyline Fear Itself was released in 2011.
In Fear Itself, the main antagonist is the Serpent, a god from Asgard who seeks to destroy Earth and seize Odin’s power, causing chaos as Odin tries to retain control of his power. To combat this impending doom, a team of superheroes is formed, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, and Iron Fist, equipped with weapons made from Uru, the material used to create Thor’s hammer.
4. Planet Hulk/World War Hulk
In the Planet Hulk/World War Hulk storyline, a powerful group of superheroes (including Doctor Strange, Professor X, and Reed Richards) sends Hulk to destroy a distant planet. However, Hulk is merely a pawn in this greater scheme.
After being betrayed, Hulk ends up on the planet Sakaar, where he rises to power by defeating the Red King and seeks revenge against Earth for their betrayal.
5. Avengers vs X-Men
This storyline is one that many fans have eagerly anticipated, especially as Marvel seeks to regain the rights to the X-Men franchise, which is no longer theirs.
In 2012, as the Phoenix Force returns to Earth, seeking a host named Hope Summers, it ignites a war between the Avengers and the X-Men. Captain America wants to protect Hope, while Cyclops believes she should be with the X-Men. The conflict escalates, leading to an all-out battle.
This is just a glimpse into the potential future of Marvel’s cinematic universe post-Avengers: Infinity War. The possibilities are endless, and fans are eager to see how these epic stories will unfold on the big screen.
