WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for Loki episode 4.

Fans of the MCU are always searching for connections and teases in the franchises - sometimes that gets the best of them, as in the case with Reed Richards in WandaVision - but Disney+'s Loki does a lot of setup for the future of the MCU, sometimes just with a casual line of dialogue referencing vampires.

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By establishing the multiverse in the MCU, the series is doing critical work that is almost certain to pay off in numerous movies in the future of the MCU, including Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness. The possibilities go far beyond that though, with implications for many movies, series, and characters going forward.

Vampires

Split image of Mahershala Ali as Blade and Dracula from MCU

In episode four of the Loki series, Agent Mobius casually mentions that the Time Variance Authority has captured many variants, including vampires. This almost throwaway line opens the door to a part of the Marvel Comics universe fans know is coming with the announcement of the Blade MCU movie.

There are many elements of Blade comics the MCU should include, but it seems like the franchise will not shy away from the foundational horror elements of the comic and vampires are a thing that exists in the MCU.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Spider-Man No Way Home Doc Ock Alfred Molina SR

Perhaps the most critical element Loki sets up for the future of the MCU is the concept of the multiverse. This seems as it will have an immediate and direct impact on Spider-Man: No Way Home.

With reports that Alfred Molina will reprise his role as Doctor Octopus from Spider-Man 2 and Jamie Foxx returning as Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the multiverse seems to be opening to other Marvel film franchises. Is this a result of Loki's actions, and what other members of the Sinister Six could appear in the MCU?

Connecting The Sony Spider-Verse To MCU

Split Image of unmasked Spider-Man (Tom Holland) staring into the distance; Venom symbiote (Tom Hardy) stands at full size

Beyond bringing in the former movie franchises of Spider-Man, Loki's exploration of the multiverse also has the potential to integrate the disparate universes of the MCU and Sony's live-action collection of related movies.

While a direct connection has yet to be established between the two, it's possible that Sylvie's bombing of the sacred timeline in Loki throws open the door to every movie universe. At this point, Venom is unaware of Spider-Man, though that could change in a hurry.

The Integration Of Non-MCU TV Into The MCU

Cast of Agents-of-SHIELD

The canonical status of many MCU-related shows like Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Netflix suite of series like Daredevil remains an open question. The door is open to those shows now the same as it is for the Sony movies, thanks to the multiverse. Loki may already be laying down the groundwork for grandfathering these shows in.

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A woman who looks like Peggy Carter was spotted in the background of episode one of Loki and in episode four, Lady Sif made a critical cameo. Sif is important not just because of her connection to the MCU movies, but because she is one of the MCU characters who appeared on Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Young Avengers

Young Avengers lineup in Marvel comics includes Speed, Wiccan, Hawkeye, Kid Loki, and Miss America.

The Young Avengers seems to be a superhero team the MCU is building toward. A number of members have appeared or will soon in the MCU, and Loki adds to the list by introducing the Kid Loki variant at the end of episode four. Kid Loki was a significant member of the teenage super team from the early 2010s.

He fought alongside a number of characters now in the MCU or coming soon, including Kate Bishop Hawkeye, America Chavez, Patriot, as well as Tommy and Billy Maximoff, the children of Scarlet Witch and The Vision, better known to comic fans as Wiccan and Speed.

The Enchantress

Split image of Lady Loki from Loki series and Enchantress from Marvel Comics

It's likely that The Enchantress is going to play a role in the future of the MCU. The Loki Variant Sylvie is a fusion of two major characters from Marvel Comics. One is the original Lady Loki and the other is The Enchantress. Specifically, she borrows some elements from Sylvie Lushton, the second version of the character.

While Sylvie is in many ways an original character for the show, she has the power of enchantment and it's likely she will continue to be a presence in the series and even movies in the future, effectively bringing the iconic comic book supervillain Enchantress into the MCU.

Ravonna's Revenge

Ravonna Renslayer is still something of a mystery in Loki, but one thing the series could be setting up is her quest for revenge against her former lover, Kang The Conqueror. Ravonna first met Kang in the 40th century - still a possibility in the MCU, if she's a variant like other TVA agents - but she was nearly killed.

Though he tried to save her by going back in time, his hate for the Avengers eventually led him to abandon her. She went on a quest to get revenge that took her through time and space, manipulating the Avengers and Fantastic Four to get her into a position to strike back at Kang.

Kang The Conqueror

Marvel's Kang the Conqueror 1 variant cover

Kang The Conqueror himself is perhaps the most important piece of the MCU's future the show sets up. If his connection to Ravonna in the comics holds up, then it could be Kang pulling the strings and Loki will establish the villain for future appearances, which are known to include Ant-Man And The Wasp Quantummania.

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Kang makes a ton of sense within the context of the series, as one of Marvel Comics' best and most important time travelers. Whether or not he will make a full appearance remains to be seen, but a tease is very possible.

The Multiverse Of Madness

Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness logo

Very little about the plot of Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is known at this point, but the title says it all. Sylvie's attack on the sacred timeline could very well lead to the chaos Doctor Strange encounters not just in his movie, but in Spider-Man: No Way Home as well.

Given the fact that the TVA is very concerned with Nexus Events, and the Scarlet Witch, who will appear in the Doctor Strange sequel, is a Nexus Being, Loki seems to have a major impact on Phase 4 of the MCU.

Secret Wars

Marvel heroes and villains battle in Secret Wars from Marvel Comics

The biggest aspect of the MCU's future Loki sets up is likely to be Secret Wars. Writer Michael Waldron has already teased a connection to the massive comic book storyline, which saw characters from across the multiverse deposited on Battleworld in a war to save time and space.

Battleworld sounds a lot like the place that numerous variants of Loki have been exiled to, glimpsed briefly in the post-credits scene of episode four. If this is some kind of pocket universe, it could be the first clue to a massive multiversal war in the future.

Loki releases new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.

NEXT: Spider-Man's Comic Book Villains, Ranked From Most Laughable To Coolest