Have you watched Marvel’s WandaVision?
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The Marvel Cinematic Universe also exists as part of this Marvel Multiverse. According to the official Marvel Universe manual, its designation is Earth-199999. We can assume that the various other Marvel Cinematic Worlds introduced over the years, such as Fox’s X-Men Universe, Sony’s two previous Spider-Man Universes, and New Line’s Blade Universe, are also included in this. multiverse. Now there’s more and more evidence that we’re going to see heroes from some of these different worlds start to interact.
Spider-Man multiverse fake-out
While Phase 4 apparently marks the point where the MCU really begins to recognize its place in a larger multiverse, it’s worth remembering that the concept of the multiverse already played a big role in the final Phase 3 movie, Spider-Man. Man: far from home. There, Spidey briefly teams up with Quentin Beck, who claims to be a refugee from Earth-833. Beck also refers to the MCU itself as Earth-616, a nod to the traditional Marvel comic book universe. But, as we’ll quickly learn, this is all an elaborate ruse designed to earn Spider-Man and Nick Fury’s trust. Beck is not from an alternate universe; he’s just a former abandoned Tony Stark employee. Who would have guessed that a guy who calls himself Mysterio is not trustworthy?
Beck’s ruse begs the question of whether the concept of a multiverse actually exists in the MCU. If Marvel has faked us once before, should we really put a lot of value into the rumors about the multiverse coming into play in Phase 4? But as we’ve seen with characters like The Mandarin and artifacts like the Infinity Gauntlet, the MCU has a proven track record of subverting a familiar element of Marvel, only to go back and tackle a more faithful version later. .revealed to be Chief Skrull Talos in disguise, which might actually explain why he adheres to Beck’s lie so easily. As a space civilization with advanced technology, the Skrulls may already be aware of the existence of the multiverse and would have no reason not to take Beck’s story at face value.
The purpose of Far From Home’s Multiverse Red Herring is probably not to make viewers doubt the existence of the Multiverse, but to remind them that this subplot may not turn out exactly as planned. Marvel’s Kevin Feige may not want to go the exact comic book path when it comes to the multiverse, especially since Warner Bros. is stepping up its own efforts on the multiverse front. Rather than participate in some sort of multiverse arms race where the two studios try to outdo each other by bringing back beloved icons like Michael Keaton’s Batman On the one hand and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man on the other, Marvel could be planning something more unexpected. As to what that might entail, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Observers and Marvel’s What If …
Guardians of the Galaxy 2017 Vol. 2 is the first MCU movie to hint at the existence of the Multiverse, albeit indirectly. This film’s obligatory Stan Lee cameo features Lee’s astronaut character chatting with a group of observers. These omniscient cosmic beings are responsible for observing the Marvel Universe, seeing everything that goes on but forbidding to interfere in deadly affairs. However, they also have the power to peer into the multiverse and observe other worlds where events have unfolded differently. the upcoming Marvel’s What If … , where he will be voiced by Jeffrey Wright. As in the comics that inspired it, Marvel’s What If … features a number of those alternate universes where one key timeline shift results in a series of cascading changes. For example, one episode will show a world where Peggy Carter is given the Super Soldier Serum instead of Steve Rogers, while another will show a young T’Challa abducted from Earth instead of Peter Quill. Each of these worlds exist as part of the Multiverse alongside the MCU.
WandaVision Cameo Quicksilver
WandaVision is the first official release of the MCU’s Phase 4 lineup, and the series certainly hints at a greater focus on the multiverse. WandaVision is set in Westview, NJ, a surreal city that now exists as a fake-TV sitcom seemingly controlled by a grieving and unstable Wanda Maximoff. Wanda is determined to build the happy family life that was denied to her thanks to the Sokovian Agreements and the Blip, which resulted in her resurrecting Vision and giving birth to her twins.
Episode 5 suggests that the series delves into the concept of the multiverse, ending with the surprise return of Wanda’s deceased brother, Pietro . The catch – this Pietro is played by X-Men movie veteran Evan Peters, not Age of Ultron’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Whether through Wanda’s Curse or interference from a secret villain, this version of Quicksilver has seemingly moved from the X-Men Universe to the MCU.
Is this exactly who it looks like?
Obviously, we don’t know yet if this is the same Quicksilver from X-Men: Days of Future Past, or even if it’s really Quicksilver at all. Episode 6 compounds this mystery by revealing that Pietro appears to have the memories (and portrayal of super-speed) of the MCU version, even though he looks and behaves like the Fox version. For all we know, Wanda simply brainwashed Hollywood actor Evan Peters into believing he is Quicksilver.
Marvel may be gearing up for another Far From Home fake. But we already have confirmation that Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool makes the jump to the MCU , so it’s not as if Peters Quicksilver is the only character to cross universes. And we have some ideas for how the multiverse could be at the heart of the mysteries of WandaVision .
Doctor Strange, Spider-Man and the Multiverse of Madness
The idea of ​​WandaVision helping to set the stage for Marvel’s live-action multiverse makes even more sense when you remember that the series is also meant to lead to the next Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Wanda herself will be a major character in the film, likely as a reluctant student of Stephen Strange or as a tragic villain whose uncontrolled magical powers threaten the very fabric of reality. Or both, maybe.
This sequel to Doctor Strange seems to approach the concept of the multiverse in a very meaningful way. It’s in the title, after all. It’s not entirely clear what the “Multiverse of Madness” is supposed to be . Is this a fancy title for the entire Marvel Multiverse? Is this a specific branch of the multiverse where Lovecraftian horrors lurk? Is it less a physical place than a multiverse of dreams ruled by a villain like Nightmare? It’s too early to tell yet, but we’re assuming the sequel is a big part of the Phase 4 multiverse puzzle.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Coming Movie and TV Show
Meanwhile, the untitled Far From Home sequel will also be closely related with Doctor Strange 2 , to the point where Strange himself will play an important role in Spider-Man 3 . Current casting rumors suggest Spider-Man 3 will dive headlong into the multiverse, with the two Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s versions of Peter Parker reportedly appeared , as well as a wide array of supporting characters and villains from those previous Spider-Man films. This movie might end up being more of a multiverse multiverse adventure than 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Doctor Strange is likely the catalyst behind it all.
Allowed, Tom Holland has denied these casting rumors , but between his hilarious track record of plot details accidentally leaking and Disney’s impeccable secrecy, these denials don’t necessarily carry much weight. One way or another, the Marvel Multiverse is just around the corner.
Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by follow @jschedeen on Twitter .
