Marvel Comics has been successful in creating countless collaborations between teams, organizations, and characters throughout the pages of their publications. They’ve proven that even the most unfathomable or unlikely characters coming together are connected through the omnipresence of the Multiverse, omnipotent across every title that shares even the slightest association to the Marvel brand. The most unpredictable crossover events throughout the comics have solidified themselves as benchmarks across the franchise, proving that there is the possibility to unite the disparate characters under one cause. Secret Wars has, in fact, solidified itself as one of the most ambitious crossover events in the comics.
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The Marvel Cinematic Universe has taken on the weight of translating massive crossover events that flood the pages of the comics into live-action form. Their slow-burn tactic of ushering incredibly monumental events into the endless span of their cinematic adaptations has brought together iconic characters to create even more iconic on-screen moments that mimic the excitement of their source material. As the MCU exits the Infinity Saga and prepares to transition into a new phase and usher in new faces, Marvel Studios must begin to plan their next cornerstone crossover movie. Rumors of Marvel’s Secret Wars rumors have rumbled across the fandom as more speculations have pointed towards Secret Wars manifesting as Marvel’s next big movie.
What is Marvel’s Secret Wars?
Marvel Comics
Marvel’s Secret Wars was first published in 1984 as a five-book event. Tied together by its namesake, the Secret Wars comics run found themselves anchored to several published circulations of the event that have been modified to accommodate each character featured within the individual volumes. The initial Secret Wars comic drew a wide array of heroes across comics that were summoned by The Beyonder on the Battleworld. The Beyonder created a tournament between the summoned teams and promised that the victors would have every one of their desires fulfilled. From there, chaos ensued. The consequences of the Battleworld confrontation resulted in new dynamics among teams and left lasting betrayals.
A prequel issue set its focus more on The Beyonder and his descent onto Earth after he embraced a new human identity. He found himself crossing over with even more familiar faces across the pages of Marvel Comics while attempting to adjust to his new way of life. Before he could truly enjoy the concept of humanity, he was destroyed by Molecule Man. The first Secret Wars trilogy concluded with The Beyonder seeking to regain everything that was taken from him by Doctor Doom, and the two traveled to the alternative universe that The Beyonder belonged to. The story also concluded with The Beyonder and Molecule Man joining forms to create a singular being.
The Secret Wars concept was reawakened for Marvel Comics in 2004 and established that it would operate a connecting point that would trace back to its predecessor. Nick Fury led the series and assembled a team in Latveria against Lucia Von Bardas, who served as the primary antagonist. Fury went missing and was denounced of his title as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D over a handful of years. The event returned to the pages of the graphic novels and was completely drawn to a close in the 2015 issue. The series wound down by destroying the Multiverse, which overlapped the Ultimate Universe and Earth-616. Doctor Doom still retains his powers that were stolen from The Beyonder and struck down a majority of Marvel’s universes. Few survived the attacks, and it was the battle between Doctor Doom facing off against Reed “Mr. Fantastic” Richards that was the restoring factor for the Multiverse.
Which Characters Could Be Involved?
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It’s unrealistic to expect that every individual character in the MCU will see themselves partake in such a massive event, considering how intense this crossover is and how far ahead it is of the current MCU roster. However, that doesn’t mean that there could be the beginnings of a Secret Wars project that could cue in an even grander cinematic crossover in the future. Secret Wars features Steve Rogers as Captain America, though since Chris Evans’ departure from the franchise, Anthony Mackie has been inducted as the new Cap, and details have already been teased about his return in Captain America 4. As such, it is unrealistic to expect that the MCU will outright copy Secret Wars as it was written panel-by-panel. As it stands, Monica Rambeau has a likelihood of replacing Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel, just as it can be implied that Kate Bishop will now bear the Hawkeye moniker.
The introduction of Jennifer “She-Hulk” Walters through the She-Hulk series on Disney+ plants another seed that can point in the direction of Secret Wars. Jameela Jamil being cast as Titania furthers these ideas even more. Natalie Portman is rumored to take on the title of the Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder, though Chris Hemsworth may hold on to Mjolnir if it means he may return for Secret Wars. There has been no concrete news about his decision to step back from the role altogether, and his presence in Secret Wars could represent the original Avengers lineup. Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus, and the Lizard were reunited (or introduced to one another) in Spider-Man: No Way Home, initially sparking Secret Wars rumors, and though they were sent back to their respected universes, there’s always a possibility for their return. Another non-Secret Wars-canon choice would be to include Deadpool in the cinematic adaptation. This would not only acknowledge that the X-Men are folded into the MCU, but also canonize Ryan Reynold’s Merc with a Mouth, satisfying a demand made by fans since his debut.
There is only a formal announcement pertaining to The Fantastic Four’s official canonization in the MCU as the updated remake will follow a trail of failed attempts to launch the team into popularity through live-action. Without Marvel’s First Family, the events of Secret Wars cannot fully develop. The Beyonder additionally has yet to insert himself into the picture, though a theory on Screen Rant posits that he will be Phase 5’s next Thanos, not Kang the Conqueror.
Will Secret Wars Happen in the MCU?
Marvel Studios
The MCU has so far strategically planned the cultivation of events that lead to full-blown crossovers on-screen and has been patient when timing their most pivotal moments. Marvel Studios has ebbed further and further away from the Infinity Saga after the 23-picture story arc bowed out from its key narrative status with Avengers: Endgame. Marvel Studios veteran directors Joe and Anthony Russo have expressed sharp interest in returning to Marvel if they are able to direct a Secret Wars project. Rumors have indicated that a fifth Avengers movie is in the development phase, though fans are starting to suspect that Avengers 5 may be the working title or alias for Secret Wars. If the Secret Wars project does weasel its way into the timeline of the MCU, details are too scarce to confirm.
A Secret Wars film adaptation would require that the X-Men and The Fantastic Four are both present within the MCU, meaning that if Marvel Studios proceeds with this concept, there must be enough time for an audience to fully digest new characters and information before acquainting themselves with an elaborate storyline. When considering where the MCU is now, Secret Wars is too cerebral for a casual audience to fully invest in and should position itself to unfold in later years after Marvel fans have the ability to catch themselves up. In short, there is the potential for Secret Wars to happen. Marvel Studios has not shied away from bombastic crossover events before and could, with time, choose Secret Wars as their next.
