Summary
Some of Marvel Comics' biggest events have already been perfectly set up in theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Over the last 16 years, Marvel Studios has adapted some of the most memorable moments from Marvel Comics' history into the MCU, but with over eight decades of storylines and characters to draw from, there are many more that haven’t yet been explored in live-action. Although the MCU will soon explore the introduction of the X-Men, Kang the Conqueror’s attack on the multiverse, and incursion events leading tothe upcomingAvengers: Secret Wars, several other brilliant Marvel Comics events have also been teased.
Marvel Studios has already brought some of the bestMarvel Comics events into the live-action MCU. This includes the likes of 2013’sAge of Ultron, 2006’sCivil War, and 1991’sThe Infinity Gauntlet. These epic events, and some of Marvel Comics' more personal adventures, have contributed to some of the MCU’s most memorable moments, but there is still a huge wealth of content that Marvel Studios hasn’t explored in the MCU. However,some major Marvel Comics events have already been set up in the MCU, suggesting they could play a huge role in the franchise’s future.
10 Marvel Movie Adaptations Where You Really Should Read The Comic First
As great as Marvel Cinematic Universe and X-Men movies are, they’ll always benefit from a thorough read of their original comic source material first.
11Spider-Man: No Way Home Set Up The Alien Costume Saga For Tom Holland’s Peter Parker
Marvel Comics' Alien Costume Saga Ran Between May 1984 & April 1985
Ever since Tom Hardy successfully brought Eddie Brock’sVenom into Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, there has been speculation that Spider-Man could finally battle his alien enemy in live-action. This hasn’t yet come to fruition, butSpider-Man: No Way Homeended with the perfect setup for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to embark on Marvel Comics’Alien Costume Saga.This could see Holland’s Spider-Man get enhanced with his black symbiote costume, which was first seen in Marvel Comics' originalSecret Warsevent in 1984.
A piece of Tom Hardy’s Venom symbiote was left in the MCU inSpider-Man: No Way Home’spost-credits scene, teasing the villain’s involvement in future MCU-set Spider-Man stories.If Venom bonds with Spider-Man, the MCU could explore theAlien Costume Saga. In this event, Spider-Man used his powerful new black costume to become a stronger hero, but soon realized the suit had evil intentions, prompting Spider-Man to remove the symbiote.
Marvel Comics' War Of The Realms Ran Between April & June 2019
Thor: Love and Thunderis one of the MCU’s most divisive projects, but the Phase 4 movie perfectly set the stage for Marvel Comics’The War of the Realmsto be adapted.Thor: Love and Thunderexplored New Asgard, the new home of the Asgardian refugees living on Earth, which is a pivotal location inThe War of the Realms. TheDark Elf Malekith, who plays a key role inThe War of the Realms, was wasted in 2013’sThor: The Dark World, but his return could be spectacular.
The War of the Realms, released throughout 2019, included many heroes going up against Malekith and his forces, who hoped to claim Midgard, a.k.a. Earth, as their own.Following the MCU’s exploration of the multiverse, it’s possible a variant of Malekith could embark on this story in the MCU, perhaps contributing to the tonal change forMarvel Studios' as-yet-unconfirmedThor 5.
9Blood Hunt Would Mark A Strong Debut For The MCU’s Blade
Marvel Comics' Blood Hunt Began In May 2024
Kicking off in May 2024,Blood Huntis one of Marvel Comics' most recent crossover eventsand could form the basis for a strong debut forMahershala Ali’s Blade.Blood Huntfeatured a huge vampire attack on Earth from the Darkforce Dimension, and several notable Avengers end up transformed into vampires, with Blade revealing himself to be leading the attack. Upcoming heroes, including Blade, Daredevil, Sam Wilson’s Captain America, and the Fantastic Four, play a huge role inBlood Hunt, so Marvel Studios could be laying the foundations of this huge event.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawintroduced the first vampire to the MCU, Saracen, a member of Emil Blonsky’s support group.
The importance of the Darkhold in Phase 4 could also prove crucial in setting up the MCU’sBlood Hunt.The Book of the Damned is supposedly the only thing capable of ending the vampires' attack on Earth. Since Marvel Studios’Bladehas had a tumultuous production period, adaptingBlood Huntcould be a fast solution to its problems.
8The MCU’s Cosmic Heroes Could Fight Together In Annihilation
Marvel Comics' Annihilation Ran Between May 2006 & March 2007
The MCU’s Multiverse Saga has put a lot of focus on the franchise’s cosmic heroes, perhaps hinting at an upcoming cosmic crossover event.This could have set up an adaptation of Marvel Comics’Annihilationevent from 2006, which saw Annihilus and his Annihilation Wave break free from the Negative Zone and wreak havoc on the Marvel Universe. This event heavily featuresthe Guardians of the Galaxy team, Nova, and the Silver Surfer, who have all had (or soon will have) MCU counterparts.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3established a new team, though they don’t currently have a confirmed future in the MCU. With Julia Garner debuting asShalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer inThe Fantastic Four, which could also introduce the Negative Zone, and aNovaproject in development, the foundations have already been laid forAnnihilation.2023’sThe Marvelsalmost teasedAnnihilationeven further, as Dar-Benn named Carol Danvers “The Annihilator.”
7Captain America: Brave New World & Thunderbolts* Could Kick Off The MCU’s Dark Reign
Marvel Comics' Dark Reign Ran Between December 2008 & September 2009
One of Marvel Comics' most politically-focused events, 2009’sDark Reign,picked up in the wake ofSecret Invasion, which saw Norman Osborn replace Tony Stark as Director of SHIELD. Norman Osborn hasn’t yet been introduced to the MCU, butPhase 5’sCaptain America: Brave New WorldandThunderbolts*will explore the MCU’s political atmosphere following 2023’sSecret Invasionseries. These projects are likely to deal with the fallout of majorSkrull reveals inSecret Invasion, just as Marvel Comics’Dark Reigndid.
The MCU May Be Adapting A Dark Comics Storyline (But With A Twist)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is secretly setting up an incredibly dark comics storyline, but not quite as comic book readers might remember.
Norman Osborn uses his new position inDark Reignto enact nefarious deeds with the Cabal, a group of powerful villains. He also forms the Dark Avengers, who have been speculated to appear inThunderbolts*, especially after confirmation that the Sentry will appear in the Phase 5 movie.ExploringDark Reignin various MCU Phase 5 projects could set up even bigger crossover events for the franchise’s future.
6Secret Invasion Perfectly Set Up Marvel Studios’ Siege
Marvel Comics' Siege Ran Between December 2009 & May 2010
Marvel Comics’Dark Reignevent led directly intoSiege, a major crossover storyline that saw Norman Osborn and the Dark Avengers lead an assault on New Asgard, albeit manipulated by Loki. This event was perfectly set up thanks to2023’sSecret Invasion, which ended with then-President Ritson declaring war on all extraterrestrial species living on Earth. Speaking specifically about the shape-shifting Skrulls, this could have also encapsulated the Asgardian refugees in New Asgard.
Osborn and the Dark Avengers' attack on New Asgard in Marvel Comics’Siegeprompted the reformation of the Avengers team, which has been rumored to occur in the MCU’s Phase 5.Siegecould also contribute to the much-wantedtonal change for the MCU’sThor 5, with an all-out war breaking out in New Asgard.Siegecould be an expansive storyline that runs throughoutCaptain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and potentially evenAvengers 5in Phase 6.
5The MCU May Already Be Living In The Scarlet Witch’s House Of M
Marvel Comics' House Of M Ran Between June & November 2005
Marvel Comics’House of Mevent focused on mutants and the X-Men, who haven’t yet been introduced en masse to the MCU. However, onepopular Scarlet Witch theorysuggeststhe MCU may already be living in a similar world to that depicted inHouse of M, though inverted, ridding the world of mutants instead of making them superior beings. Marvel Comics’House of Msaw Earth’s heroes enter a world created by the Scarlet Witch, with no memory of their previous lives.
Marvel Comics’House of Mstory included the Scarlet Witch’s iconic"No More Mutants"moment, which caused many significant mutants to lose their abilities in an event known as the Decimation.
WandaVisionandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessborrowed fromHouse of M, primarily in Wanda Maximoff’s creation of a fake world and the exploration of her grief. The Scarlet Witch’s appearances here could have teased a bigger adaptation ofHouse of M.Avengers: Secret Wars, the Multiverse Saga’s final project, could revert her actions, allowing mutants to join the MCU with little explanation in Phase 7.
3Kingpin Will Be Embarking On The Devil’s Reign Storyline In The MCU’s Future
Marvel Comics' Devil’s Reign Ran Between December 2021 & May 2022
Marvel Comics’Devil’s Reignis perhaps the biggest street-level crossover event that Marvel Studios has set up for the MCU.Devil’sReignsaw Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin, the Mayor of New York City, outlaw vigilantism in the city, impacting a huge number of superheroes operating in New York. Following Vincent D’Onofrio’s return as Kingpin in the MCU’sHawkeyeandEchoshows,Devil’s Reignis the perfect next step for the MCU, especially sinceEchoteasedKingpin’s evolution into New York’s Mayor.
The MCU Just Set Up A Major Marvel Comics Storyline That Affects Daredevil & Spider-Man
The MCU just set up a major comic storyline that will have significant implications for both Matt Murdock’s Daredevil and Peter Parker’s Spider-Man.
Devil’sReignfeatured heroes who were introduced in Netflix’s Defenders Saga, which has recently become canon to the MCU. Most notably, Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock will be returning alongside Kingpin in2025’sDaredevil: Born Again, making the series the perfect place forDevil’s Reignto be explored.Since Kingpin establishes Thunderbolts units inDevil’s Reignto enforce his laws, this event could be a major storyline throughout the MCU’s Phase 5.
2World War Hulk Is The Best Next Step For Bruce Banner
Marvel Comics' Ran Between May & December 2007
A live-action version of2007’sWorld War Hulkstorylinehas been long-speculated, given the fact that several elements of the Marvel Comics event have already been teased.Thor: Ragnarokborrowed massively from Marvel Comics’Planet Hulk, which immediately precededWorld War Hulk, with Bruce Banner’s Hulk being exiled to Sakaar by the Illuminati. In the MCU, this was self-imposed exile, but could still lead to the exploration ofWorld War Hulk.
The MCU’sBruce Banner hasn’t had a solo movie since 2008’sThe Incredible Hulkdue to rights disputes. However, after the Illuminati’s debut inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Skaar’s appearance inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law, there have been too many hints forWorld War Hulknot to be explored. There is speculation thatWorld War Hulkcould become anAvengerscrossover movie, bringing back the savage version of the Hulk that many have been missing.
