The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has a history of making big changes to its world, only to quickly undo them. This trend has been observed in various movies, where grand reveals and plot twists are often followed by a reversal or irrelevance. This reluctance to rock the boat is understandable, given the franchise’s long-running nature and the need to keep the status quo intact.
One notable example is the reveal of Spider-Man’s secret identity at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. This shocking twist was quickly undone when Spider-Man commissioned Doctor Strange to make the world forget his identity. Another instance is Thor’s loss of his right eye in Thor: Ragnarok, which was quickly replaced with a cybernetic eye in Avengers: Infinity War.
The MCU’s tendency to undo significant changes can also be seen in the character development of Bruce Banner. Despite his struggles to control the Hulk, Banner’s progress is often undone, leaving his relationship with the Hulk inconsistent. Similarly, Sam Wilson’s reluctance to become Captain America was quickly forgotten when he donated the shield to the Smithsonian Institution.
The most significant example of this trend is the aftermath of Thanos’ Snap in Avengers: Endgame. The devastating loss of half of all organic life was quickly undone, with the five-year timeskip allowing for a brief glimpse into the consequences of Thanos’ victory. However, the sudden reappearance of the dead and their halted ages quickly restored the status quo.
This pattern of making big changes only to undo them can be frustrating for fans, who crave more meaningful and lasting consequences in the MCU. As the franchise continues to expand, it remains to be seen whether the creatives behind the series will take more risks and allow their characters to evolve in more meaningful ways.