Infinity Saga: 10 Unresolved Plot Points From MCU's Phases 1-3

As we start looking ahead to Phase 4, there are some questions which must be answered...

MODOK Sonny Burch
Marvel Studios

We've seen many studios attempt to recreate the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in recent years, and they've all failed. There's something special about what Marvel Studios does that simply can't be replicated, and the team working on these comic book adaptations has found a recipe to success that many other Hollywood studio bosses would kill for.

However, that doesn't mean a few mistakes haven't been made along the way; The Incredible Hulk remains the black sheep of the MCU family, while Thor: The Dark World was a rare misfire. There have also been some notable fallings out behind the scenes, with a small handful of actors and filmmakers refusing to ever work with them again. For the most part, though, their track records is pretty great!

However, with Phase 4 fast approaching, we can't help but look back on an era which has been dubbed the "Infinity Saga" and not notice some unresolved plot points. Marvel Studios specialises in creating a shared world where everything connects, but they've left some unanswered questions which, at the time, definitely felt like they were leading to something bigger.

It's those we're taking a look at today, from missing characters to teases which seemingly went nowhere (not to mention how they could be addressed over the next few years).

10. Where's The Leader?

MODOK Sonny Burch
Universal Pictures

After the success of Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk was quite the disappointment. Marvel Studios was still in its infancy, though, and the plan at the time was to have Earth's Mightiest Heroes assemble in The Avengers to battle the Jade Giant.

Plans changed when Joss Whedon was hired, but The Hulk's movie still set the stage for future adventures featuring the character. General "Thunderbolt" Ross would eventually return in Captain America: Civil War (his daughter Betty is still M.I.A.), while a throwaway mention in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. explained that The Abomination was in custody.

However, Samuel Sterns' transformation into The Leader has never been addressed. A tie-in comic showed Black Widow taking him into custody, but he certainly didn't do anything bad enough to warrant being kept S.H.I.E.L.D.'s prisoner. So, where did he end up?

That's something the MCU has never revealed, but HYDRA certainly might have had some interest in him, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if he factors into the She-Hulk TV series in some way.

Contributor
Contributor

Josh Wilding hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.