8 Harsh Realities Of The MCU Phase 5

Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 5 is facing some very harsh truths on the heels of a divisive Phase 4. The MCU is at the center of tackling the Multiverse Saga, with various projects directly setting up the upcoming culmination of the narrative. Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Spider-Man: No Way Home delved deeper into the idea of the multiverse. Meanwhile, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania officially debuted the Multiverse Saga's big bad — Kang the Conqueror. Amid all these were smaller, there are also more character-centric stories such as Moon Knight, Hawkeye, Eternals, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Admittedly, Phase 4 wasn't exactly what Marvel Studios was hoping it to be, especially on the heels of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. It actually kicked off on a strong note with WandaVision, which remains to be one of its most unique offerings. Beyond that, however, the projects that followed have had varying reception. Some of them were celebrated, and others were criticized. Meanwhile, there were big disappointments like Thor: Love and Thunder. Suffice it to say, it's a far cry from the beloved Phase 1 of the MCU. Sadly, Phase 5 is shaping to have its own issues.

8 Most Of The MCU Phase 5 Will Lack A Central Team Like The Avengers

Avengers 5 heroes power levels MCU Phase 4 Infinity War

Like Phase 4, Phase 5 won't have any Avengers movies. Instead of tackling Earth's Mightiest Heroes' smaller missions, like The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel Studios is now saving them to bookend much fuller sagas in a short span of time. This creative decision makes sense given MCU fast-tracking its storytelling. However, it also means that fans will have to wait a while longer before Marvel Studios debut the Multiverse Saga's official Avengers team. Considering what's happening in the universe, it doesn't seem like there's any urgency to do that.

7 Phase 5 Truly Ends The Infinity Saga

The Guardians walking towards the camera with fire behind them in a scene from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Avengers: Endgame officially marked the end of the Infinity Saga, with Spider-Man: Far From Home functioning as somewhat of an epilogue. Phase 4 was the MCU's transition and rebuilding period, while Phase 5 sets up the big narrative beats of the Multiverse Saga. That being said, James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 feels like the true end of the Infinity Saga. Seeing the last group of heroes who were involved in the fight against Thanos go their separate ways is not only emotional, but it also highlights that the MCU is now truly moving into a brand-new chapter in its storytelling.

6 The MCU Phase 5 Still Won't Have A Franchise-Wide Narrative

Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) flanked by the Avengers, including Valkryie, Bruce Banner, Nebula, Wong, Rocket Raccoon, Thor, Hawkeye, Captain Marvel, okoye, and War Machine

Looking at the MCU's remaining Phase 5 projects after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, many of them will either be self-contained or have no explicit links to the burgeoning multiverse narrative. Secret Invasion and The Marvels are confirmed to be tied together. Meanwhile, Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts are not only connected to each other, but they also both feature grounded narratives that will unlikely include any significant plot lines with regard to the multiverse.

Loki season 2 is the only MCU Phase 5 project that will directly tackle the Multiverse Saga. The God of Mischief's next mission will see him re-teaming with Mobius as they delve deeper into learning more about He Who Remains' revelations about the multiverse. In the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania stinger, the dynamic duo will track down Kang variant, Victor Timely. Beyond that, however, chances are that fans will have to wait until Phase 6 to see its bigger narrative implications in the MCU.

5 Phase 5 Doesn’t Have Any Spider-Man Movies

Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Spider-Man No Way Home

Ever since he was introduced in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland has been a staple in the MCU. He was both in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, not to mention his own trilogy of movies. After Spider-Man: No Way Home, however, Phase 5 is the first time since 2017 that the web-slinger won't be in any MCU project. While there are plans for Spider-Man 4 with Sony, it's likely that it will be part of Phase 6, if not even Phase 7. For what it's worth, the Brooklyn-native hero is still expected to join the Avengers in the fight against Kang the Conqueror.

4 MCU Phase 5's Kang Setup Is A Problem

Jonathan Majors as Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania

On the heels of his official debut as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Jonathan Majors was expected to be featured more frequently in the MCU as Marvel Studios established him as the Multiverse Saga's next big bad. Aside from the ongoing personal scandal that the actor is currently involved with, however, Phase 5 won't also actively set up his bigger role in the franchise, with only Loki season 2 as his confirmed appearance. At this point, the public has only met his two variants — both of them are also dead after being defeated, which isn't a good indication of how formidable he is as an antagonist.

3 Phase 5 Won't Have Any Original Avengers

It's still possible that a new Avengers team will debut in Captain America: New World Order, however, it will still be a while before they can properly assemble as a team. Until then, the MCU's premier team will continue to be synonymous with the original roster. Unlike Phase 4, however, Phase 5 won't have any projects that are devoted to any of the surviving founding MCU heroes. Thor, Hulk, and Hawkeye are all expected to return to the universe at some point, but there won't be any significant progress in their stories for the next couple of years.

2 MCU Phase 5 Won't Answer All Of Phase 4's Loose Plot Threads

Scarlet Witch vs America Chavez and Doctor Strange in the Mutiverse of Madness

Unfortunately for those hoping that MCU Phase 5 will finally address loose plot holes, it isn't likely the case. Looking at Marvel Studios' slate in the next couple of years, there's very little chance that all the lingering questions from Phase 4 will be addressed. That doesn't mean that Phase 5 will not tackle some of these mysteries. The Marvels is already expected to reveal what happens to Monica after WandaVision and explain Ms. Marvel's post-credits scene. Meanwhile, Sam Wilson's stint as Captain America officially begins in Captain America: New World Order. However, fans will have to wait for answers about what's next for Starfox and Shang-Chi.

1 Phase 5 Will Officially Replace All Original Avengers

dominique thorne as riri williams in black panther wakanda forever and ironheart

On the heels of Iron Man and Black Widow's death, not to mention Captain America's retirement, it's understandable that there has been interest in seeing what the new Avengers line-up will look like after the Infinity Saga. Marvel Studios has yet to give any inkling on who is going to be in the next generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, however, Phase 5 will officially complete the replacement for all original Earth's Mightiest Heroes with Ironheart. Riri Williams may have debuted in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but Iron Man's true successor's origins story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be tackled in her own Disney+ series.