The Marvel Cinematic Universe didn’t just revive superhero films and start yet another franchise. It also made superhero films that are meant to be taken seriously. The MCU is known for hiring Oscar nominees and winners, and actors that are celebrated throughout their generation. I mean, starting out with Robert Downey Jr. and his excellent portrayal of Iron Man was meant to show the world MCU wasn’t to be messed around with. With such a great cast and talented directors such as Jon Favreau, The Russo Brothers, and Joss Whedon, what could go wrong?
Plenty, actually. Large-scale blockbusters films aren’t exactly known for using cinematic tools to the best of their ability, and the MCU certainly elevated the blockbuster. That’s precisely why it’s so hard to gloss over their mistakes. Unlike other fantasy films such as Harry Potter(which took a lot fewer liberties with its source material), the MCU has changed things up from time to time. Fans who haven’t read the comics don’t always notice how some omissions have shaped the story. But like their comic counterparts, which also have several iterations and continuity errors, the MCU has also followed some less than stellar plotlines.
Below are a few things that may have ruined the MCU, while there are a few things that have done great things for the franchise. The good news? It doesn’t take much to fix some of the smaller errors. As for Iron Man 2, we’re too busy trying to beat Thanos to remember that. Also: spoiler alert!
Ruined: Trying To Make Tony Stark/Steve Rogers’ “Friendship” A Thing
Iron Man and Captain America famously had a great friendship that went downhill in the comics. Maybe if the MCU had tried to set something up like this, we would’ve believed Tony Stark’s insistence that Captain America shouldn’t have chosen Bucky.
(If you didn’t watch Civil War, we can imagine you feel lost just reading this!)
But the MCU went a totally different direction. Iron Man and Captain America as we see them onscreen are just allies. There’s no sense in trying to change that at this point.
Saved: The Entire Captain Marvel Film
Infinity War left us hanging with half the world just gone thanks to some really stupid decisions. Oh, and because Thanos just happened to think 10 steps ahead of everyone else.
Captain Marveloffered us a way to possibly defeat Thanos. Will she go back in time? How will she figure out what happened?
Who cares? The fact that the MCU decided to add her to its roster of formidable heroes gives us hope. That’s as much as we can say without spoiling the film too much.
Ruined: Almost All Of Iron Man 2
We love Jon Favreau. He didn’t just start MCU strong with Iron Man, he’s also great at playing Happy Hogan. However, he wanted to explore other aspects of Iron Man that MCU decided to forgo in order to create something more or less family-friendly.
As such, the film wound up very differently compared to Favreau’s vision. But at least fans have mostly ignored this film. However, it did give us War Machine. Even when the MCU messes up, not everything turns out wrong.
Ruined: Of Course, Ivan Vanko Deserves His Own Analysis
Ivan Vanko is accused of being a half-hearted villain, and rightfully so. Micky Rourke deserved something much better. Various columnists have discussed how Ivan Vanko set the precedent for MCU villains that have not been well-designed.
Fans have complained about his costume and the fact that he barely utters complete sentences. To top it off, he partners with Justin Hammer but both are no match for Iron Man. Sure, we want our heroes to win, but we’re not duped as easily as Marvel thinks.
Saved: Making Tony Stark And Steve Rogers Colleagues Instead Of BFFs
Steve Rogers’ idealism is the perfect foil for Tony Stark’s ego and pragmatism. Most people are intimidated by Tony Stark. Inventing stuff is easy for him, he has a cool suit, and he’s a billionaire.
Even Bruce Banner often defers to Iron Man’s authority— and he truly can beat him in a fight if he puts his green mind to it.
Watching the Avengers become divided was sad. Thanos was right about one thing: the world needs balance. The Avengers do too.
Ruined: Making Maya Hansen Too Nice
Maya Hansen became an inconsequential villain and sort of grey area character for the MCU. But let’s not forget that she worked with Aldrich Killian, who used the Extremis virus as merchandise.
Not only that, it turns out Hansen actually helped with his crimes just so her lab could get more funding. Sure, she wasn’t the worst villain in Marvel history, but she’s a genius with a much more complex backstory. In the MCU, she’s one of Tony Stark’s one-night stands.
Saved: Tony And Pepper’s Romance
Tony Stark’s ego can grow to mushroom-cloud proportions, but Pepper Potts knows how to call him out with just a glance. Stark’s romance with Potts isn’t just about making him a better man. He truly loves Pepper and would do anything for her.
She was always meant for him and fans were totally happy when the first kiss happened. It’s one of the few indications we have that Tony has a heart— even though he doesn’t actually you know, have one.
Ruined: Star-Lord’s Many Flaws
Star-Lord is so annoying that Chris Pratt has been forced to defend him. Fans accuse him of using his ego too much when making decisions.
Sure, he’s lived through some difficult times, but you’d think being a half-god would have given him a bit more common sense. Pratt mentions that Peter Quill had the chance to get the Gauntlet and he let his heart lead him astray, so it’s good that Quill messed up.
Well, every franchise needs a fall guy but we’re still pissed.
Saved: Keeping Ant-Man A Little Separate From The Rest Of MCU
The MCU has created a giant world of epic proportions. It can be tough for even the most dedicated fan to keep up with storylines, characters, and the differences between their onscreen interpretation and their original story arc.
There have been several ways MCU has tackled introducing new characters: smaller roles, such as T’Challa’s role in Civil War, or small cameos and Easter Eggs. Giving Scott Lang his own vehicle was a great idea. His backstory is complex, and he and his sidekicks are able to develop camaraderie.
Ruined: “Nick Fury’s Big Week”
Fans often get confused about the MCU’s timeline because we have lives and bills to pay. Online forums can get so convoluted with fan theories that Marvel took the time to mention when certain events took place.
Well, in 2011 Nicky Fury was really busy. Marvel issued an official statement saying that events in The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: The First Avenger, Iron Man 2, and Thor all took place the same week!
Dubbed “Nick Fury’s Big Week,” it sounds like Marvel wants us to believe Nicky Fury never sleeps.
Ruined: Providing Conflicting Information About When Spider-Man: Homecoming Takes Place
Okay, so Nick Fury’s Big Week is one thing, but fans also became confused about the events of Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Marvel insists that these events occurred in 2020, which is supposed to be 8 years after Civil War.
Tom Holland is young and it’s not like he’d age fast, but 8 years have not passed between these two films. Timelines don’t sound like a big deal but leave it to MCU fans to want to have everything detail down to an exact science.
Saved: Making Thor Super Nice!
Thor Odinson isn’t just a super strong Asgardian, he’s also super hot and wields a hammer that can create (duh) thunder. With so many wonderful attributes, Marvel could’ve written a mean character with a huge ego. Instead, it chose to make Thor a kind gentleman.
Sure, he has a hard time with a few of Earth’s customs, but we have enough ego with Tony Stark. Thor also has a great sense of humor and deep down, he still loves Loki and cares very much about the universe.
Ruined: Pym Particles
Pym Particles are those things that allow Scott Lang to turn into Ant-Man. The concept sounds cool, but it can be difficult to keep with what they are exactly.
Fans who aren’t well-versed in physics just focus on the glare in Michael Douglas’ eye as he talks about them in Ant-Man. The comics’ explanation of these theories is a bit deeper. It’s understandable that the MCU has to spend some time explaining them, but it’s still hard to understand how they work. Sorry!
Saved: Including Pepper Potts In Avengers Films
Pepper Potts wasn’t in every Avengers film, but she appeared in 2 out of the 3 films. Some fans may wonder why she wasn’t included in all of them. Hey Potts, is a great stabilizing force in Tony Stark’s life!
The Russos explained that they needed a darker version of Tony Stark. Plus, Pepper Potts is rightfully freaked out that Tony Stark could get hurt. His suit is cool, but it’s not the same as having innate powers and doesn’t make him invulnerable.
Ruined: The Fake Infinity Gauntlet
The MCU is great at including Easter eggs in its films. Thor: Ragnarok decided to throw in a fake Gauntlet.
Look, Taika Waititi is a funny guy and all, but this had fans reeling for a bit. To top it off, the film explained that his gauntlet was fake. The thing is, this was before Infinity War showed us what would happen with it.
There are times when an Easter egg is just an Easter egg, and there are times when it can mean so much more.
Ruined: Continuity Errors About Gamora’s Origin
Gamora is a complex character. Survivor of Thanos’ wrath, she becomes his adopted daughter, which must have been traumatizing. In Guardians of the Galaxy, we learn that she is the last living member of her species.
But then, in Infinity War we see a young Gamora watch half of her planet become annihilated. Sure, that’s still scary, but that means she’s not technically the last member of her species.
This creates an unnecessary plot hole. Plus, we don’t want to see her as a liar!
Ruined: Ignoring The Reason Why Thor Was Searching For The Infinity Stones
In Age of Ultron, Thor had a vision that hasn’t been incorporated into subsequent films. Thor knew a lot about the stones in Age of Ultron and was able to provide a lot of relevant information.
In Thor: Ragnarok, he simply stopped looking for the stones when the task got too hard. Thor seems like a lot of things, but he doesn’t seem like a quitter.
Plus, a lot of people often take Thor as a muscle, when it would serve his character to know more stuff.
Saved: Having Wakanda Help The World In The End
Erik Killmonger was certainly right about Wakanda’s complacency as afro-descendants worldwide suffered.
Fans understand the need for self-preservation, but Wakanda just seemed selfish for a while. Helping people around the world was a positive move for T’Challa, Wakanda, and the world.
It’s not the fault of Black Panther or Wakanda that so many of their brethren suffered under the yoke of oppression. Vibranium would’ve been a good tool to have in one’s arsenal when it was most needed. The outreach centers were a good idea.
Ruined: Steve Rogers Going Out With Peggy Carter’s Granddaughter
In Emily VanCamp’s defense, the writers could have written her as a love interest with a different name and she’d still get to be in the movie.
Sharon Carter is Peggy Carter’s grand-niece and although it’s kind of sweet that Captain America fell in love with a younger Carter, this is a bit weird.
This plot point does follow the comic storyline. For many reasons, it would’ve been nice to give Steve Rogers total closure from Peggy Carter.
We’re heartbroken that they couldn’t be happy either.
Ruined: Not Milking Dr. Stern’s Story Enough
Dr. Samuel Stern was a great potential villain for a franchise that, as we’ve mentioned, needs more villains with substance.
He was meant to become The Leader after we saw some of The Hulk’s blood mix in with his in The Incredible Hulk. S.H.I.E.L.D. eventually captured him so they could study his changes.
But what happened after S.H.I.E.L.D. went bust? We know the Avengers have their hands full with Thanos, but The Leader is a great foil for Bruce Banner’s mild manners here.
