MCU: 10 Big Missed Opportunities

A triumph of a franchise, but not quite perfect.

Captain America Red Skull
Marvel

After over ten years, 23 movies, and an unprecedented worldwide gross of over $22.5 billion so far, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the most, if not the most, successful franchises in movie history. From relatively humble beginnings in 2008, the MCU has just got bigger and better over the years.

Never before has a movie franchise housed so many separate, smaller franchises, dozens and dozens of incredible characters, all moving toward one finish line together. The Infinity Saga is unique, and has inspired subsequent shared universes, though none have ever got close to the success of the MCU.

However, the franchise is not perfect. Taking characters and stories from comic books sometimes decades old can be risky, as there is a certain expectation from a wide, die hard fan base. Ever since it was revealed that Thanos was collecting all six infinity stones, it was widely expected that we would see the snap on the big screen. Fans left the cinemas happy in this regard, but there are other situations throughout the franchise that have missed the mark in this way.

On top of this, there are times the MCU have set themselves up for certain moments, but for one reason or another, simply couldn't follow through with it, and some opportunities that presented themselves were taken away before the franchise could capitalise on them. Could any of these moments have made an incredible franchise just a little bit better?

10. Spider-Man/Deadpool

Captain America Red Skull
Marvel Comics

Fans rejoiced when the Disney/Fox deal finally went through. After years of waiting and wanting, the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool are now accessible to Kevin Feige as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, before they have even had a chance to introduce any of these newbies properly, they have potentially lost one of the most popular characters in the entire franchise.

With Spidey reportedly heading back to Sony, with no input from Marvel Studios, comes the end of any hopes to see Peter Parker and Wade Wilson share the spotlight, either on the big screen or the smaller platform of Disney+.

Both characters are lovable, funny, and quick-witted, and have collaborated in their joint comic series since 2016 to great success. Peter brings out the best in Wade as the two team up, despite the fact the latter has been hired to kill him.

Though it may have been logistically challenging to get the two together, since Spider-Man is one Marvel's more family friendly assets and Deadpool is Deadpool, this team up could still have been incredible. Once Upon A Deadpool proved the character could work with a PG rating, and even a Peter Parker cameo in Wade Wilson's third film would have been enough to leave fans satisfied.

Contributor
Contributor

This standard nerd combines the looks of Shaggy with the brains of Scooby, has an unhealthy obsession with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is a firm believer that Alter Bridge are the greatest band in the world.