One Avengers Line Can Set Up Thor’s Siege Story In Phase 6

Marvel's The Avengers could have set up Thor 5 over a decade before Phase 6 even begins. The early films of the MCU may feel like a distant memory, but even back then, they often featured Easter eggs teasing where the movies would go in the future. There are several clear examples that paid off in the shorter term, like the credits scene in The Avengers which revealed a very early version of Thanos as the ultimate force of evil in the Infinity Saga. Additionally, the Tesseract was a vital part of multiple films before its identity as the Space Stone was made clear.

Kevin Feige and the people at Marvel have been playing the long game since the very start of the franchise. The Ten Rings crime organization appeared in the background of 2008's Iron Man and then more prominently in Iron Man 3, before fully stepping into the light in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. That kind of forethought proves that even films from more than a decade ago could have teased events yet to happen in the MCU.

The MCU also draws inspiration from Marvel Comics events that have appeared in the 10 or so years prior. Captain America: Civil War was inspired by the comic storyline from 2006-07, Iron Man 3 was heavily influenced by the Extremis arc from 2005-06, and so on. The creative directors of the franchise are clearly paying attention to the comics, and one 2009-10 storyline, Siege, which focuses on an invasion of Asgard, could be the foundation of Thor 5. What's more, this potential MCU story may have been teased way back in the first Avengers movie. When Phil Coulson shows Thor how SHIELD has been preparing incredibly powerful weapons to combat super-powered forces, he also points out that this is a result of the Asgardians appearing on Earth:

You like this? We started working on the prototype after you sent the Destroyer. Even I don't know what it does. Do you wanna find out?

Will Thor 5 Be The MCU's Siege Story?

Siege is a four-issue epic story that concluded seven years of massive change and renewal for Marvel Comics. Siege focuses on Norman Osborn who has gained favor in the sight of the American people and now operates as the Iron Patriot and leader of his own team of Avengers in the absence of Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man. Osborn leads an unlawful attack on Asgard which has now come to Earth and remains the last stronghold that poses a threat to his ascending power. This is ultimately the thing that causes the United States government to repeal the Superhuman Registration Act.

Norman Osborn may have only appeared in the MCU after being pulled from an alternate timeline, but there are several huge elements that overlap with the events in Siege and where the MCU is heading right now, making it a strong possibility for Thor 5's story. SHIELD has been dismantled, the Superhuman Registration Act has been put in force, Iron Man is gone, and Thor has left Earth behind. There are also major changes coming with projects like Secret Invasion and Marvel's Thunderbolts which directly tie in with the Siege storyline. With everything set to change in the MCU, Thor 5 would be the perfect opportunity for Siege to happen, and Marvel Studios already set the stage back in The Avengers.