With its interwoven universe of movies and TV shows, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a global phenomenon. In recent years, it has become one of the most lucrative and popular franchises. While the MCU has given us many memorable moments and storylines, there is still some unfinished business that fans are eager to see resolved on-screen.
The MCU has established a large interwoven world with innumerable characters, plots, and narrative twists with over 20 movies in the franchise. Despite all the films and television episodes that have been made, there are still some unresolved plots that fans are eager to see addressed. Here are some of the MCU's unfinished storylines that fans have multiple questions about.
9 The Mandarin
Iron Man 3 featured a new rendition of the Mandarin, one of Iron Man's most memorable foes. This Mandarin, however, was proven to be a forgery manufactured by Aldrich Killian. The real Mandarin has yet to appear in the MCU, though the character was brought back in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Mandarin is one of the most iconic villains in the comics, and is a formidable opponent. However, the character has never seen the light of the MCU, and fans were disappointed to see a fake in Iron Man 3. In the comics, the Ten Rings also ends up with Mandarin. However, audiences saw that in the MCU, that has not yet happened.
8 The Red Skull
Captain America's arch-nemesis, Red Skull, was last seen in Captain America: The First Avenger, where he appeared to be killed by the Tesseract. However, it was later revealed in Avengers: Infinity War that Red Skull was still alive and well, serving as the Soul Stone's custodian.
Fans are still eager to see how Red Skull will be brought into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character appeared in the first movie as the main villain and was thought to be dead. However, the reveal that he was alive as the Soul Stone’s guardian has naturally left fans with many questions regarding.
7 The Soul Stone
The Soul Stone is one of the most mysterious and powerful Infinity Stones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans have some context behind every stone except for the Soul Stone. While it played an important role in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, fans still don't know much about it, such as where it came from and what other abilities it might possess.
Fans know that one of its abilities is to trap souls. However, there are multiple questions that are left unanswered. Still, it might not matter as fans might be aware that in Loki, the TVA agents use the stones as paperweights -- much to everybody’s shock and dismay.
6 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Originally meant to be a part of the MCU, the Marvel TV show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has a confusing connection with the films. While the show has made references to cinematic events, the movies have not acknowledged the show. As a result, several unresolved plot lines from the TV show may never be addressed in the MCU.
In S.H.I.E.L.D., the Inhumans have been explored; however, fans still do not know if the movies will ever see the group of genetically altered humans, leaving fans to wonder whether the storyline will be included or ignored.
5 The Thunderbolts
The Thunderbolts are a group of rehabilitated villains who have collaborated with the Avengers and other Marvel heroes in the comics. While there have been hints that the Thunderbolts may appear in the MCU, there has been no official announcement or confirmation.
The comics saw the Thunderbolts introduced as a group of superheroes. However, they were actually a team of villains pretending to be heroes. Fans might remember watching Contessa Valentina approach Yelena Belova and John Walker already, hinting that she might be recruiting the Thunderbolts, although there has been no confirmation.
4 The Nova Corps
In the MCU, the Nova Corps is a strong intergalactic police force that hasn't been seen since the events of Guardians of the Galaxy. It is unknown what happened to them, and fans hope to see them again in future films.
The Nova Corps played an important role in helping the Guardians stop Ronan, but their power and skills are undiscovered, hence fans are wondering if they will be a part of the future movies. However, there are rumors of the Nova Corps making a comeback in a Disney+ series in the coming future.
3 The Darkhold
The Darkhold is a powerful mystical item that has appeared in several Marvel Cinematic Universe TV episodes, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and WandaVision. Its exact origins and abilities have not been properly investigated, leaving enthusiasts in the dark. In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., it was introduced as a book with ancient knowledge; meanwhile, in Wandavision, it reappeared to give her powers.
Wanda also used the Darkhold in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, little to nothing was revealed about the book in the movie as well. But the use of the book in various shows opens up the possibility of a much larger scope of the MCU.
2 The Skrulls
The Skrulls are a shape-shifting alien race who have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most notably in Captain Marvel. While they were revealed in that film to be mainly amicable, there are still fans who don't know about their genuine purposes and aims.
In the comics, the Skrulls have a wide history along with being included in the biggest MCU storylines. Fans have been wondering how the Skrulls will fit in the larger cinematic universe of Marvel. However, Marvel has teased that in Secret Wars, fans could get more insight into the beings.
1 The X-Men and Fantastic Four
Despite the fact that the MCU has bought the rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four, audiences have yet to see them in the MCU. Much discussion surrounds how and when they will be revealed, and fans are eager to see how they will integrate into the bigger MCU.
After Disney Day, fans got to know that Fantastic Four will be arriving soon in the coming phases of the MCU, probably as a standalone movie. However, there has been no information or confirmation regarding the X-Men except for Charles Xavier's appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The major question is whether the characters will be rewritten, or will be brought into the MCU continuity.