7 Marvel Dimensions The MCU Can Explore After The Quantum Realm

With Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania returning to the Quantum Realm, the MCU has some exciting prospects on what dimensions and realms should be showcased next. The third Ant-Man film is set to launch Phase 5 of the MCU on February 17th, but it’s just the latest in the franchise’s exploration of weird dimensions and mysterious alternate realms. The first to come into play was Asgard and the various related Nine Realms in Thor. Gradually, more were revealed, from the likes of the Mirror Dimension in Doctor Strange to the various afterlife realities of the Astral Plane, Duat, and Valhalla.

The Quantum Realm has become a foundational and uniting aspect of the MCU, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will exponentially expand audiences' understanding of the weird dimension. Aptly, Kang is presumably stuck in the Quantum Realm and needs Ant-Man’s help escaping. Interestingly, the Quantum Realm is actually an amalgamation of two different dimensions in the comics - the Quantum Zone and the Microverse. Interestingly enough, they were mashed together because Marvel Studios doesn't hold the cinematic rights to the Microverse. Nevertheless, the Quantum Realm is a great example of the great wonders the MCU has available to it. The possibilities are boundless, and there are more realms to explore.

7 The Negative Zone Could Help Introduce The Fantastic Four

Silk fights demons in The Negative Zone in Marvel Comics.

Of the alternate dimensions yet to be introduced, the Negative Zone is by far the most storied and important throughout the comics. It was first introduced in Fantastic Four #51 in 1966 and is essentially a parallel universe to reality composed entirely of anti-matter. As such, traveling there is incredibly dangerous, but Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four successfully built the first portal there. Suitably, theories abound that the Negative Zone could play into the Fantastic Four’s impending introduction into the MCU. Its reversed polarity could grant them their powers, or its accelerated passage of time means that they could go in the ‘60s and come out in the present.

The Negative Zone is also connected to other heroes. Mar-Vell, the first Captain Marvel, and Rick Jones, a key character still somehow missing from the MCU, would constantly swap places with one in the real world and the other in the Negative Zone. Intriguingly, The Marvels might be somewhat adapting that relationship for Carol, Monica, and Kamala. Additionally, Blue Marvel did get his incredible powers from the Negative Zone. Beyond them, the Negative Zone, while largely inhospitable, is home to the villainous warlords, Annihilus and Blastaar. If it is part of Fantastic Four, they could be the villains - although another Fantastic Four villain might be better.

6 The Dream Dimension Is Home To A Major Villain

The Dream Dimension as seen in Marvel comics

While the Negative Zone still has to wait for its chance to join the MCU, the Dream Dimension has already been incorporated. It was mentioned in passing briefly in Loki, though the MCU has yet to venture there. As its name implies, the Dream Dimension is intrinsically linked to the collective unconscious of humanity as a physical manifestation of dreams. Importantly, the Dream Dimension is ruled by Nightmare, a prominent adversary to Doctor Strange. There were early theories that Nightmare and the Dream Dimension would play significant roles in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Dreams were still foundationally important to that film, regardless.

Doctor Strange and Cleo’s trip to the Dark Dimension will likely be picked up in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty or Avengers: Secret Wars. As such, Doctor Strange 3 is probably not one of the MCU's unannounced Phase 6 movies. Nevertheless, when that film does happen, it can finally showcase the Dark Dimension in all its glory. Thankfully, otherwise, the MCU is steadily expanding its supernatural side, so there are more options, such as in a future Halloween Special Presentation like Werewolf by Night and/or the Midnight Sons team-up film that seems likely. Even Loki season 2 could surprisingly do its part and pick up the tease it left hanging.

5 The Nexus of All Realities Can Connect Everything In The MCU

Man-Thing enters The Nexus Of All Realities in Marvel Comics.

Another alternate dimension that is already technically part of the MCU is the Nexus of All Realities. It is a cross-dimensional vengeance of the Multiverse that connects every possible reality. It was from the Nexus that Uatu the Watcher witnessed the extraordinary events of What If…?, though Erik Selvig actually teased it first in Thor: The Dark World as part of his discussions on the Convergence. However, the Nexus is importantly linked to Man-Thing, introduced in Werewolf by Night as he serves as its guardian. As shown in What If…?, from this Nexus point, someone can travel anywhere in the Multiverse.

As a place of extraordinary power, the Nexus of All Realities is aptly shrouded in mystery. Dr. Ted Sallis first gained access to it thanks to a car crash he had in a swamp, his blood mixing with dark magic not only to reshape him as the monster, Man-Thing but also to open a door to the Nexus. It will be interesting to see whether the MCU ever ventures here in live-action, and if so, whether Uatu will feature too. Following his standout introduction in Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing could appear next in his own Halloween Special that can properly delve into his relationship with the Nexus of All Realities.

4 Limbo Is Home To Demons But Linked To The X-Men

Limbo (Otherplace) from New X-Men Vol 2 37 001

There are various dimensions and realities called Limbo from Marvel Comics. Loki already showcased one, in a sense, when Loki and Sylvie traveled to the realm of He Who Remains outside of time. Another and one more bountiful for the franchise is the demonic Limbo. It is best associated with the X-Men character, Illyana Rasputin, aka Magik, as her mutant teleportation powers allow her to travel to and from the dark realm. As a child, she was abducted and raised by the realm’s ruler, Belasco, but eventually, Illyana revolted and escaped her demonic prison.

Anya Taylor-Joy is remembered for playing Magik in the ill-fated last hurrah of the X-Men franchise, New Mutants. Interestingly, with Deadpool 3 bringing in Deadpool and Wolverine, considerations should also be made for Taylor-Joy’s Magik to cross over as well. Logically, however, Limbo and its demon denizens won’t come into play until long after the end of the Multiverse Saga as the franchise presumably shifts focus to mutants and the X-Men. Importantly, Limbo is powered by a special metal called Promethium - interestingly drawing comparison to the Vibranium of Wakanda and Talokan. Hopefully, when Magik does finally arrive, the MCU can delve deep into Limbo and its dark wonders.

3 When Hercules Returns, Olympus Can Appear

Thor: Love and Thunder featured an impressive expansion of the role of gods in the MCU by featuring their natural enemy, Gorr the God Butcher, and traveling to Omnipotent City, home to the parliament of pantheons ruled by Zeus. Importantly, Thor: Love and Thunder introduced Hercules, played by Brett Goldstein, and thus set the stage for Olympus to feature significantly in the MCU. Like Asgard, Olympus is a pocket dimension, home to the Olympians, and is connected with the Olympian Underworld, Hades. Other similar pocket dimensions exist for the various other pantheons of gods, including Celestial Heliopolis for the Ennead, the Egyptian gods introduced in Moon Knight.

Of course, Olympus will have to feature in some way as Hercules’ story in the MCU continues unless they decide to have him and the Olympians solely operate out of Omnipotent City for some reason. There is currently no official word as to when Hercules will appear next, though presumably, he’ll feature in the upcoming Avenger films. It would be strange to have him wait until Thor 5, which seemingly won’t be part of the Multiverse Saga if it ever does happen. Otherwise, Hercules could be a great candidate for his own tv series or a Marvel Special Presentation on Disney+, either of which could give ample focus to Olympus.

2 Avalon In The Otherworld Is Very Important To The Multiverse

A cropped Image of Avalon or Otherworld from Marvel Comics

Another example of a god’s pocket dimension is the Otherworld and the kingdom of Avalon. It’s the home to the Tuatha de Danaan, the Celtic gods, but it has some important connections to the Multiverse as a Nexus point connecting various universes and realities. It’s a fantastic realm to explore as part of the ongoing Multiverse Saga, and thankfully the character to do so is primed to enter the MCU. Like her What If…? facsimile, Captain Carter, Captain Britain serves as a champion protecting the Multiverse as part of the Captain Britain Corps, a coalition of the hero’s variants.

It honestly seems strange that the MCU hasn’t officially introduced Captain Britain, whether Brian Braddock, Betsy Braddock, or both, given their intense connection to the Multiverse - and even beyond the Omniverse, spanning reality beyond Marvel. Like Hercules, they’d also be good options for their own Disney+ series and could perhaps be part of the slate in Phase 6. This could then also feature Merlyn and his daughter Roma, who are leaders of the Otherworld. Interestingly, Agatha: Coven of Chaos might be using a character connected to this realm, the sorceress Morgan Le Fay, who might be played by Aubrey Plaza. That could continue to set up Captain Britain’s arrival.

1 Mojoworld Could Help Showcase A Unique MCU Story

X-Men Annual #1 Mojoverse Zombie X-Babies

There's much anticipation for the MCU's official introduction of the X-Men. Deadpool 3 is a logical candidate at this point, yet it might turn out to be Avengers: Secret Wars that actually brings Earth-616’s team into the spotlight. From there on, they’ll be at centerstage, presumably. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of fantastic arcs to adapt, including when they were drawn into Mojoworld. It’s an extradimensional realm and home to the Spineless Ones, including the aptly named Mojo. He runs a gladiator-like TV contest that has threatened the X-Men on several occasions, so hopefully, he and Mojoworld will be part of the MCU someday.

Intriguingly, a Mojoworld storyline following Longshot specifically could make for a great Disney+ miniseries down the line, like WandaVision set in space. It would allow for some fun experimentation with genres, storytelling methods, and formatting, especially if it's styled off various reality competition shows or survival dramas. This would likely be Mojo’s only chance to feature predominantly in the MCU as his story wouldn’t work as a movie - although any such exploration of Mojoworld is many years away. Nevertheless, it proves the plethora of possibilities the MCU has access to, and so, after the Quantum Realm, there are exciting prospects on the horizon.

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