11 Changes The MCU Wishes It Could Make
Spider-Man's Homecoming should have come earlier.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has established itself as the gold standard for shared movie universes, striking that magical balance between critical acclaim and massive box office takings with virtually every instalment it churns out.
From the original Iron Man to the latest Avengers sequel, these films generate the kind of hype and commercial success that most other franchises can only dream of, but nothing in this world is perfect.
Although the MCU has earned plaudits from fans and critics for its largely faithful portrayal of these iconic superheroes and villains, it's made a few missteps along the way too, some more critical than others.
Marvel characters like Kang the Conqueror might be able to travel back in time to alter the course of history, but Marvel Studios cannot, so all they can do is take note of their mistakes and learn from them going forward.
But if the comic book giant's movie arm did possess the ability to turn back the clock, here are the first things it would probably change about the MCU...
11. Making A Female Superhero Movie Sooner
DC doesn't often beat Marvel to the punch in Hollywood these days, but it got one over on its bitter rival earlier this year when it became the first or the two to launch a major female-fronted superhero movie.
Wonder Woman was a monster hit at the box office and proved a smash with critics too. DC and Warner Bros were hailed for embracing diversity and a new age of girl power is threatening to take Hollywood by storm.
The acclaim and the headlines could have been Marvel's had they announced plans to launch a female-led comic book movie during the first phase of the MCU. They certainly have characters that could have fulfilled this role, like Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, who could have used a solo film in the run-up to The Avengers.
Marvel Studios can only wonder what might have been on that one, but the firm will debut its first superheroine solo film in 2019 when Captain Marvel lands in cinemas, while next year's Ant-Man and the Wasp will make the first time a female character's name has appeared an MCU movie title.
No doubt Marvel would love to have done this before DC, but at least there are signs it's diversifying its roster.