Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame adapted the classic "Infinity Gauntlet" storyline, but Marvel Studios has brought a number of other iconic comic book events to the screen over the years.
We're deep into Phase 4 with no idea where the MCU is heading (there's no Avengers movie, for starters), but there are some big comic book event stories we hope to see brought to the big (or small) screen moving forward. In fact, there are still a lot of them that haven't even been touched on, and any one of those listed here would make for a must-see movie.
With that in mind, we're taking a look at 8 Marvel Comics events which we'd love to see brought to the screen following the "Infinity Saga." Given the apparent lack of direction in this era of storytelling in theaters and streaming, we're sure you'll agree these all have some real potential.
To check them out, all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button down below!
8. Siege
After one heroic act puts Norman Osborn in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. (now renamed H.A.M.M.E.R.), he goes about reshaping the world in his image and assembles a team of Dark Avengers.
The former Green Goblin even suits up as the Iron Patriot, and in one final bid to cement his power as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes begin to fight back, he launches a devastating attack on Thor’s home of Asgard. We know Norman doesn't exist in the MCU, but the introduction of the Thunderbolts could lay the groundwork for this story...as could Doctor Doom's upcoming debut.
While he'll inevitably square off with the Fantastic Four at some point, if Victor is going to be a big bad in this shared world, why not head down the Infamous Iron Man route by having him pose as a hero, taking on that "Iron Patriot" role? This would throw him into the midst of the MCU and makes Doom a threat to everyone.
7. Secret Empire
This may not be easy to adapt without Chris Evans playing Captain America, but perhaps the actor could reprise the role as a Steve Rogers Variant in cahoots with Kang the Conqueror? Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness explored alternate realities, proving that this storyline wouldn't be too difficult to pull off.
With Sam Wilson now serving as the new Captain America, he could be thrown into the midst of this story along with Bucky, Sharon Carter, and even Zemo.
Despite not being a fan-favourite event by any means, Secret Empire could work well on screen. It may also lead to some noteworthy, game-changing alterations to the MCU, serving as a final farewell to Steve Rogers and potentially even tying into his trip through time and return to the present day as an old man.
6. Annihilation
Had this event never happened, then we may never have seen James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Annihilation reignited the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe and rebooted the Guardians – this version of the team actually consisted of the same roster as the movie – to much success.
Earth doesn’t factor into this story at all (there’s no sign of the Avengers or X-Men), with the likes of Nova and Quasar instead getting the chance to shine as they take on a Universe ending threat which consisted of the Annihilation Wave, a large armada of warships, under the control of classic Fantastic Four villain Annihilus (who is now part of the Marvel Studios family).
This would be the perfect direction to take the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise in beyond Vol. 3, and would hopefully lead to a number of spin-off movies being launched to expand the MCU's cosmic side.
5. House Of M
If Marvel Studios is looking to introduce the X-Men in a big, game-changing way, then a House of M adaptation that reshapes this shared world for a time would definitely work. Yes, Ms. Marvel is a mutant, but we're still a long way off from Homo Superior being the dominant species.
Manipulated by her brother, the Scarlet Witch uses her reality-altering powers to reshape the world into one where mutants are the majority and rule over the planet. However, there are some who realise what's happening, and embark on a quest to restore things to how they used to be.
This poses something of a moral quandary for the X-Men; do they really want to go back to a world where they are feared and hated or stay in a reality where Magneto rules with an iron fist?
4. Avengers Vs. X-Men
Honestly, this event kind of sucked, but the concept was a strong one, and seeing Earth's Mightiest Heroes battle the X-Men led to a lot of great fights we would kill to see in a live-action setting.
In the source material, when Earth’s Mightiest Heroes interfere in the affairs of the mutant team, they fracture the Phoenix Force, leaving Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik, and Namor possessed by the cosmic entity. Under its sinister influence, the X-Men go about reshaping the Earth in their image with disastrous consequences.
This, of course, pits the two factions against one another and really shakes things up for the status quo of the mutants with Cyclops behind bars – for a short time at least – and Charles Xavier killed off for good. There are lots of elements worth borrowing from this, but a straightforward adaptation might not be the best idea.
3. War Of The Realms
Thor: Love and Thunder introduced Jane Foster as The Mighty Thor, and if we're lucky, she'll return in the not too distant future. What could justify Jane's resurrection? Well, how about a story as epic as War of the Realms?
With all Nine Realms under attack from the sinister Malekith (who might need to be recast or even replaced with, dare we say it, Mephisto here), Earth's Mightiest Heroes join Thor (and Thor) in her battle against his Dark Elves, not to mention the likes of Dario Agger, Frost Giants, and various other Asgardian baddies.
"War of the Realms" was an exciting, epic, action-packed story, and could be a great place to either end the God of Thunder's story or shake up his status quo in a meaningful way. Would we want Taika Waititi to helm that? After this latest movie, a new filmmaker might be a better idea.
2. World War Hulk
In the comics, Iron Man and an "Illuminati" of some of the Marvel Universe’s most intelligent heroes (including the likes of Black Bolt, Doctor Strange, and Mister Fantastic) decide that the best way to protect the Earth is to send the Hulk into outer space.
After arriving on a distant planet, the Green Goliath is forced to fight in a gladiatorial arena, but eventually escapes and finds love...until the capsule he was sent in explodes and kills her. It’s then that the Hulk returns to Earth with an army to declare war on the heroes he holds responsible.
Taking them down one by one, only the super-powered Sentry can stop the Green Goliath, and it would be epic to see this story play out on the big screen. Whether it's through the formation of an MCU Illuminati or just other means, closing out The Hulk's arc by having him finally turn on Earth could be a fun way to end Mark Ruffalo's tenure in order to focus on She-Hulk.
1. Secret Wars
In 1984, Marvel decided they needed to sell more toys, so they launched an event called Secret Wars which saw just about every Marvel character thrown into the same series.
The premise? When an ancient cosmic being known as the Beyonder abducted heroes and villains from Earth, he forced them to fight each other in what was essentially one big battle royal! Of course, the appeal of seeing hero on hero or villain on villain battles was huge, and with the Russo Brothers keen to make it a reality, it would be crazy for Marvel Studios not to make this.
This event saw the introduction of many characters who went on to play a significant role in the Marvel Universe, and if Marvel Studios borrows some Multiverse aspects from Jonathan Hickman's Secret Wars, we could be in for a wild ride. Once all is said and done, don't be surprised if the MCU as we know it is rebooted...