On this week’s Marvelous Monday, I go over 5 missed opportunities in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thus beware of spoilers from the 11 released Marvel Cinematic Universe films, as well as minor spoilers from the comic books.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the highest grossing film franchise of all-time – for Avengers: Age of Ultron finally got it past the Harry Potter-franchise. The MCU is also a huge part of the 21st century pop culture, and the history of cinema as well.
But while most MCU films have been praised and loved, Kevin Feige’s marvelous team of writers, producers, and directors have had some standout missed opportunities over the years. So without further ado, let’s look at my top 5 missed opportunities in the Marvel Cinematic Universe:
#5 – The Death of Phil Coulson (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
They just had to bring him back to life, right? Look, don’t get me wrong – I love Clark Gregg – but his death in Marvel’s The Avengers was a real gut-punch. Bringing him back to life lessens the impact, though. By killing Coulson, you saw the death of a fan – and that was actually a perfect character death…
#4 – Amora, The Enchantress (Thor: The Dark World)
Thor: The Dark World was in itself a missed opportunity. I don’t think its villains worked at all, and forcing Thor to return to Earth was a bit silly. Let him fight on Asgard or something if you’re going to go with Malekith (who didn’t work for me in the MCU).
Honestly, I feel that the proper sequel villain would’ve been Amora The Enchantress. Make Amora a love interest for Thor, and send her to take down Jane Foster. Team her up with Loki, and Thor suddenly has the hardest job he’s ever had. Also, keep the battle on Asgard – that final act battle between Malekith and Thor was kind of boring. I mean, you could’ve mixed in the Aether in this version of a Thor sequel too, right?
#3 – Ozymandias Post-Credits Scene (Avengers: Age of Ultron)
So, there was no post-credits scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron – and that’s a huge missed opportunity, considering the fact that the epilogue to Avengers (Vol. 1) #57 gives you a perfect one. Look it up.
Think about it. You could’ve had James Spader read Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Ozymandias poem, while seeing the head of an Ultron robot lying in the war-torn Sokovia… Huge missed opportunity, Feige.
#2 – The Red Skull (Captain America-trilogy)
So, the Red Skull is essentially the classic Captain America villain. Yet the Captain America trilogy features him only once, and only way back in the 1940s. The Red Skull is a huge Marvel villain, and I really am sad that we probably won’t get to see Steve Rogers battle Johann Schmidt in the MCU again.
#1 – Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin (Iron Man 3)
Look, I really like Iron Man 3, but by now everyone knows that it’s a polarizing film for comic book fans. Even if I thought the reveal was witty and great, I do know that Ben Kingsley would have been great as The Mandarin from the trailers…
Have a Marvelous Monday, guys and gals!
I’m Jeffrey Rex
I'm Jeffrey Rex 