Top: The MCU multiverse, depicted as a sprawling branch of various timelines, in thefirst-seasonfinale ofLoki (2021) Bottom: The MCU multiverse, now depicted in the form of aYggdrasil-like tree, in thesecond-seasonfinale ofLoki (2023)
Many alternate versions of existing MCU characters have been introduced via the multiverse, most notably those ofLoki,Kang the Conqueror,Spider-Man,Doctor Strange,Deadpool, andWolverine. The main reality depicted in the MCU is designated Earth-616 beginning with the filmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), despite its original designation as Earth-199999 by Marvel Comics and outside media. The multiverse has received a mixed response from critics, with praise for its visuals and nostalgic appeal but criticism of its excessive reliance onfan service. The incorporation of characters from non-MCUMarvel films has also generated speculation and discussion among viewers and commentators.
In 2008, the filmIron Man was released, kickstarting theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)media franchise.[5] The setting of the franchise was subsequently designated Earth-199999 by Marvel Comics in the hardcover version of theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z, Vol. 5 (2008).[6][7] The charactersLoki,Gwenpool, andDoctor Strange from the comics have been shown to be aware of the MCU's existence.[8][9][10] The multiverse is introduced to the MCU in the filmDoctor Strange (2016), with directorScott Derrickson noting that the character in the comics had previously "broke[n] open the Marvel comic book universe into the Marvel multiverse".[11] At the time, producer andMarvel Studios presidentKevin Feige stated that there were no plans to explore parallel universes similar to the ones featured in the comics, with the film instead exploring various "alien dimensions".[12]
The showrunners ofLoki collaborated with the crews behind the Disney+ seriesWandaVision (2021),What If...?, and the filmAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), as all three projects are connected to the multiverse in some way. Together withWandaVision co-executive producerMary Livanos andWhat If...? executive producerBrad Winderbaum,Loki executive producersKevin Wright andStephen Broussard developed a "rule book" regarding the MCU's multiverse and alternate timelines.[22][23] Feige also held a meeting with Marvel Studios executives to discuss the rules of the multiverse and how they would present it to audiences.[24]
With the release ofThe Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline in October 2023, Feige wrote in itsforeword that Marvel Studios only considered, at that time, projects developed by them in their first four phases as part of their "Sacred Timeline", but acknowledged the history ofother Marvel films andtelevision series that would exist in the larger multiverse given they were "canonical to Marvel". Additionally, he noted as Marvel Studios progressed in the Multiverse Saga, other outside timelines had the potential to "crash or converge" with the Sacred Timeline.[25]
AstrophysicistAdam Frank was consulted on the depiction of the multiverse inDoctor Strange, offering guidance on how to portray the dimensions in a scientific manner.[36] Frank stated that he did not believe the multiverse exists in real life, but viewed it as a "great idea to use for fiction".[37][38] He added that the film's depiction did not need to be scientifically accurate as long as it "[drew] from the way scientists think about reality and think about space and dimensions".[39]
The bulk of thefifth season of theABC seriesAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2017–2018) is set in an alternate future, around the time ofInfinity War, where Earth has been destroyed.[40][41] The protagonist team ofS.H.I.E.L.D. agents return to the present day at the end of the season.[42]
InEndgame, the Avengers travel through the Quantum Realm to 1970Camp Lehigh, 2012 New York, 2013Asgard, and 2014Morag andVormir, to retrieve the sixInfinity Stones displaced through time.[13] The events ofThe Avengers (2012),Thor: The Dark World (2013), andGuardians of the Galaxy (2014) are revisited in the film.[43] The film establishes the rules oftime travel in the MCU, rejecting thegrandfather paradox and thebutterfly effect which state that changes to the past will affect the future in the same timeline. Instead, the film stipulates that when the past or future is changed, it diverges from the main timeline into an alternate one, effectively creating a parallel universe.[44]
In theseventh season ofAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2020), the S.H.I.E.L.D. team pursues theChronicoms across time through "tides".[58] The early episodes of the season appeared to contradict the time-travel rules established byEndgame,[59][60] though it is later revealed that a new timeline was created as a result of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team altering events in the past, in line withEndgame's depiction of time-travel.[61] Theseries finale, "What We're Fighting For", confirms that the events of the season had been taking place in a branched timeline, withLeo Fitz leading the team back to the series' main timeline through the Quantum Realm.[62]
The concept of the multiverse is explored in depth for the first time in the first season ofLoki, which kicks off a multiverse-centricstory arc in the MCU.[63] The version of Loki who had escaped from 2012 New York during the events ofEndgame is captured by theTime Variance Authority (TVA),[45] an otherworldly organization which monitors the multiverse.[64] The series designates the main reality depicted in the MCU as the Sacred Timeline,[65] with the TVA striving to maintain this flow of time in all universes by "pruning" alternate timelines that have significantly deviated from the Sacred Timeline, usingreset charges.[66] Loki, who is labeled a "variant" by the TVA,[67] is recruited byMobius M. Mobius to hunt downSylvie, another alternate version of himself who has been ambushing TVAMinutemen in alternate timelines.[68][69] After a skirmish at a 2050Roxxon supermarket, the duo are forced to work together to escape 2077Lamentis-1, a moon destined to be destroyed in an alternate timeline.[69][70]
Additional variants of Loki are introduced in theVoid, a barren dimension at the end of time where individuals and objects are sent to after being pruned by the TVA. These include the elderlyClassic Loki, the adolescentKid Loki, the hammer-wieldingBoastful Loki, and the reptilianAlligator Loki.[71][72] In theseason finale, "For All Time. Always.", Loki and Sylvie meetHe Who Remains, a mysterious figure from the31st century who ended a multiversal war between variants of himself before establishing the TVA.[73][74] He is murdered by Sylvie, allowing universes to diverge from the Sacred Timeline and in turn leading to the recreation of the multiverse.[75] In the episode's final moments, Loki is transported to the TVA's past, where he meets an oblivious Mobius and sees a statue of He Who Remains.[73][74] This episode sets up the events ofMultiverse of Madness,No Way Home, andQuantumania.[76][77][78]
According tohead writerMichael Waldron, the time travel rules established byEndgame are elaborated upon in the series,[79] describing the multiverse as an overlapping cluster of intertwined timelines occurring at the same time.[80] The Sacred Timeline is depicted as a circular shape when viewed from theCitadel at the End of Time, a concept conceived by the series'storyboard artists and thought by directorKate Herron to be a "striking image".[81] Early concepts for the series included several other time periods which were ultimately not visited in the season.[82] Feige has stated that the events ofLoki would leave a significant lasting impact on the MCU,[83] with Waldron adding that the series would have "wide-reaching ramifications" across the franchise.[84]
The Watcher refuses to intervene when the corrupted Strange pleads with him to save his collapsing universe, citing his oath not to do so.[94] After failing to defeat the Infinity Stones-wielding Ultron, the Watcher breaks his oath and recruits six multiversal heroes to theGuardians of the Multiverse in an effort to save the multiverse.[95] Head writerA. C. Bradley was uncertain of howLoki andMultiverse of Madness would depict the multiverse, as production onWhat If..? began well before those two projects did, thus deciding to leave most of the MCU's multiversal "rules-building" to the crews behindLoki andMultiverse of Madness.[96]
In the film, Parker refuses to send Octavius, Osborn, Marko, Dillon, and Connors to their deadly fates in their original realities, trapping Strange in the Mirror Dimension.[105] After all but Octavius go rogue, Parker is joined by his alternate counterparts, dubbed "Peter-Two" (Maguire) and "Peter-Three" (Garfield),[106] in developing cures for the multiversal villains. During a battle in front of theStatue of Liberty, the destruction of Strange'sMacchina di Kadavus begins to tear the fabric of reality, forcing Strange to erase the world's memories of Parker before sending the multiversal characters back to their own universes.[107] ScreenwritersChris McKenna andErik Sommers began exploring the idea of the multiverse and potentially revisiting characters from pastSpider-Man films early on during the writing process, initially planning for this to be a minor tease for fans.[108] Early drafts had featured virtually every major character from previousSpider-Man films, but this was eventually narrowed down to avoid excessivefan service.[109] Almost all of the multiversal villains were redesigned at some level for the film: Osborn and Dillon were given more comics-accurate appearances,[110][111] while Molina and Dafoe were bothdigitally de-aged.[112][113]
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
The plot ofMultiverse of Madness revolves entirely around the multiverse.[114] The film introduces the characterAmerica Chavez, a teenager from theUtopian Parallel who can teleport between universes through star-shaped portals.[115][116] In the opening of the film, Chavez and analternate version of Strange from Earth-617 battle a demon in the Gap Junction, a space between universes, before Chavez escapes to Earth-616, the main MCU universe.[117][118] The attire worn by this Strange was modeled afterMatt Fraction'sDefenders (2011) comic book series.[119][120] Chavez and Strange are later seen crashing through 20 different universes, which include a world inhabited by statues resembling the Marvel Comics characterLiving Tribunal, an animated world with a comic-book style appearance, a destroyed New York City in the aftermath of an alternateBattle of New York duringThe Avengers, a world composed ofStark Industries combat drones fromFar From Home, the dinosaur-inhabitedSavage Land from the comics, and a black-and-white New York City stuck in the 1930s after being taken over byHydra. Visual effects for the 40-second-long sequence were provided byFramestore, which initiated development nearly a year and a half before the film's release. The company refers to the sequence as the "America Portal Ride", with head animatorAlexis Wajsbrot seeking to "echo the craziness" ofDoctor Strange's Magical Mystery Tour.[121][122][123] Other references in the sequence include homages to the work ofM. C. Escher,Salvador Dalí, andPablo Picasso.[124]
Also appearing in the film is aversion of Strange who has been corrupted by theDarkhold and has athird eye.[139] The main MCU reality is designated Earth-616 by an alternate version ofChristine Palmer from Earth-838,[140] a scientist working for theBaxter Foundation.[141] According to actressRachel McAdams, Palmer's role as a "multiversal expert" allowed her to have more action sequences than in the first film,[142][143] and her interactions with Earth-616's Strange helped resolve the love story between him and Earth-616's Palmer.[144] Early versions of the film had featured another alternate version of Palmer as well as Earth-838 versions ofNicodemus West andHope van Dyne / Wasp, but these were cut.[143][145][146]Tom Hiddleston was reported to return as Loki, but was absent from the final film.[147][148] The film introduces several multiverse-related concepts to the MCU. Early on in the film, dreams are revealed to be visions of one's alternate counterparts in the multiverse. Maximoff and Strange later engage in "dreamwalking", a "mentally [and] physically exhausting spell" in which one possesses one's multiversal counterpart using theDarkhold. Additionally, "incursions" are established as universe-ending events that occur when one leaves a large footprint in an alternate reality, causing the connection between both universes to destabilize and resulting in the destruction of one or both of the universes.[149]
The film's focus on the multiverse was revealed at the 2019San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), with the announcement of the film's title and release date.[150] Explaining the subtitleMultiverse of Madness, co-producerRichie Palmer stated that the film would explore the definitions of the word "madness" as well as inner demons,[114] while Feige stated his intention to explore the "mind-bending frightening side" of the multiverse.[151] The cast found it difficult to keep track of the different realities of the multiverse.[152] Waldron also sought to avoid excessive fan service, and had to "move fast" regarding the multiverse due toMultiverse of Madness being a film and not a television series.[153] Feeling that his work on the seriesRick and Morty (2013–present) had prepared him with introducing concepts like the multiverse,[154][155] he added thatMultiverse of Madness' depiction of the multiverse differed from the aforementioned series in that the alternate realities were not solely played for laughs,[156] instead viewing the multiverse as the emotional centerpiece of the film.[157] Waldron chose to writeWanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch as the film's antagonist instead of a multiverse-related villain such asKang because he did not want the film to be "overstuffed",[158] and decided to introduce the Illuminati so the film could "find the madness in the multiverse".[159] AsMultiverse of Madness was originally intended to be released beforeNo Way Home, Waldron worked with McKenna and Sommers to adjust the plot of the film accordingly afterMultiverse of Madness was delayed.[158] Feige described the multiverse as "the next step in the evolution of the MCU", noting that this film would also have significant repercussions on the MCU.[160]
Kang appears inQuantumania, serving as the film's primary antagonist.[73][161] In the film, he is revealed to have instigated the multiversal war mentioned inLoki, subjugating and destroying entire timelines. Kang's variants, known collectively as the "Council of Kangs", banish him to the Quantum Realm out of fear, and Kang plots his revenge.[162] In the Quantum Realm, he enlists the help of Janet to rebuild the power core of his spaceship, which allows him to travel the multiverse, but Janet rebels upon learning of his past. UsingPym Particles, Janet enlarges the core, rendering it unusable. Decades later, Kang has established an "empire" in the Quantum Realm, terrorizing its inhabitants. He coerces Lang to retrieve the core and restore it to its original size, but Janet intervenes and a battle ensues. Lang and his allies eventually defeat Kang by destroying the core, which distorts and then engulfs him.[163]
The film's mid-credits scene introduces three variants of Kang:Immortus,Rama-Tut, andCenturion, who convene the Council upon learning of Kang's apparent death and plan their multiversal uprising against Earth-616.[164][165] In the film's post-credits scene, Loki and Mobius encounter yet another variant of Kang,Victor Timely, in 1893. This scene sets upthe second season ofLoki.[166][167][168] Two of Hope's sons from an alternate universe were originally intended to appear, but were cut.[169] According toJonathan Majors, who portrays Kang, the character is a "Nexus Being" who can affect the stability of the multiverse.[170] ScreenwriterJeff Loveness said that since the concept of time travel had already been explored inEndgame, he sought to place greater emphasis on Kang's connections to the multiverse and "evolve" the MCU's multiversal storytelling.[171][169] He also described the Quantum Realm as a "connected limbo outside of space and time", likening it to the "basement" of the multiverse.[172] DirectorPeyton Reed stated that Kang's arrival to the MCU would have major implications for the MCU going forward.[173]
Victor Timely, a variant of Kang, appears in the second season ofLoki.[168] He is recruited by Loki and members of the TVA to help stabilize the Temporal Loom, a device that refines raw time into physical timeline strands. After several futile attempts to stop the Loom from overloading, Loki uses his burgeoning time-slipping ability to return to the Citadel at the End of Time, where He Who Remains resided in season 1. When Loki confronts He Who Remains in the moments before Sylvie had killed him, He Who Remains explains that the Loom was in fact a failsafe designed to preserve the Sacred Timeline in the event that the timeline branches grew beyond the control of the TVA. He presents to Loki two choices: either let the Loom run its course of eradicating everything but the Sacred Timeline, or eliminate the Loom and thus let all timelines die. After much consideration, Loki sacrifices himself by using his powers to destroy the Loom, revive the dying timeline strands, and reform them into a tree-like structure, seating himself at its center in the Citadel ruins to manage the tree in perpetuity.
The second season ofWhat If...? continued to chronicle the activities of the Watcher, exploring new alternate realities in the multiverse.[18] Some of the storyline elements from the first season with Captain Carter, Doctor Strange Supreme, and the Watcher are continued in this season.[174] Thesixth episode introduces an original MCU character namedKahhori, a youngMohawk woman in an alternate timeline who seeks to discover her new-found powers after theTesseract crash-lands in theHaudenosaunee Confederacy inpre-colonial America whereEuropean colonization has not occurred.[175][176][174]
The season's final episode includes the multiverse tree established in theLoki season two finale,[177] and also sees Doctor Strange Supreme capturing various "universe-killers" to atone for his past sins. Strange asks Carter to assist with capturing an escaped variant, who fled to a universe whereHydra used the Tesseract to destroy the world. Carter agrees, in spite of theWatcher's warning. She encounters Kahhori, who reveals that Strange had actually been capturing both heroes and villains from various universes to feed to the Forge, a contraption he created to resurrect his own universe, which he indirectly destroyed trying to avertChristine Palmer's death. As Strange attempts to kill Kahhori, Carter frees the imprisoned variants in the Sanctum, allowing her and Kahhori to escape from Strange. They run intoBlack Panther Killmonger, but Kahhori teleports him out of his Infinity Armor, allowing Carter to use it. Carter and Kahhori confront Strange at the Forge, where the latter begins feeding the variants to it. Carter is assisted by the variants who lend their weapons to her aid, while Strange is slowly taken over by his demonic self. Eventually, Carter manages to separate Strange from his demonic counterpart. As the Forge begins to collapse, Strange sacrifices both him and his demonic self to the Forge. The Watcher teleports Kahhori back to her universe and takes Carter to his dimension, where he reveals that Strange's universe had been restored, though Strange himself would never be born into it. Carter asks the Watcher to show her the multiverse before taking her home.
The filmDeadpool & Wolverine features the characterWade Wilson / Deadpool from theX-Men filmsDeadpool (2016) andDeadpool 2 (2018) produced by Fox, withRyan Reynolds reprising the role.[178] Most of the film takes place on Earth-10005 and the Void, while the TVA and Alioth fromLoki also appear.[179] WriterRhett Reese described the film as afish out of water story for Deadpool, as he is a lunatic who will be dropped into the "very sane world" of the MCU.[180] Feige has described that Wilson will discover the Sacred Timeline in the film and find it fascinating, but he will realize thatParadox's plans may not be what they seem and he will learn that his offer isn't as simple and there are "universe sized" stakes on the way.[181]
The film also includes several characters from 20th Century Fox's Marvel films,[182] includingHugh Jackman reprising his role as an alternate version ofWolverine,[183] alongside theDeadpool films cast members,Aaron Stanford asPyro fromX2 (2003) andX-Men: The Last Stand (2006),Dafne Keen asLaura fromLogan (2017),Jennifer Garner asElektra fromDaredevil (2003) andElektra (2005),[184]Chris Evans (who portrayedCaptain America in the MCU) as theHuman Torch fromFantastic Four (2005) andFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), andTyler Mane asSabretooth fromX-Men (2000), withWesley Snipes reprising his role asBlade fromNew Line Cinema'sBlade film trilogy (1998–2004) andChanning Tatum portrayingGambit as a reference to anunproducedGambit film where Tatum was set to star as the character before its cancellation due to Fox's acquisition by Disney.[185] Keen and Stanford confirmed their roles to not be variants of Laura and Pyro respectively but the same ones they portrayed in theX-Men film series, with the backstory provided by Reynolds and directorShawn Levy being that they were pruned by the TVA some years after their last appearances instead of being taken from specific points of certain timelines.[186][187] Wolverine comes from a reality where all his fellow X-Men died, while the rest of those characters appear as inhabitants of the Void, with Pyro and Sabretooth working forCassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), while Laura, Elektra, Blade, the Human Torch, and Gambit oppose her as resistance members which previously includedDaredevil,Magneto, thePunisher, andQuicksilver. Other characters who work for Cassandra are theJuggernaut (Aaron W. Reed),Blob (Mike Waters),Azazel (Eduardo Gago Muñoz),Callisto (Chloe Kibble),Lady Deathstrike (Jade Lye),Psylocke (Ayesha Hussain),Arclight (Jessica Walker), andToad (Daniel Medina Ramos), all portrayed by stunt performers over their originalX-Men film series actors,[188][189] as well as theRussian (Billy Clements) andBullseye (Curtis Rowland Small).[190][191] To decide which characters from the 20th Century Fox era of Marvel films would return, Levy and the filmmakers contacted the dozens of actors displayed at the film's Fox tribute reel during the credits, including ones that ultimately didn't return likeBen Affleck asDaredevil orVinnie Jones as Juggernaut, while prioritizing the movie to be emotional and poignant over "going crazy" with the Multiverse and taking the audience's "eye off the balls" that count most, noting some of the characters depicted in the film were since its earliest drafts whereas others "evolved" over months intopre-production.[192]
Several Deadpool variants from the Void also appear, such as Nicepool (also portrayed by Reynolds),Dogpool (portrayed bydog actorPeggy),Ladypool (voiced byBlake Lively),Headpool (voiced byNathan Fillion), Cowboypool (Matthew McConaughey), among others.[193] Seven other versions of Wolverine briefly appear, with six also portrayed by Jackman while one, dubbed "The Cavillrine", is portrayed byHenry Cavill. One of those variants appears fighting the Hulk.[194]
In the post-credit scene,Sam Wilson visits an incarceratedSamuel Sterns at theRaft. Sterns tells Wilson about the multiverse, warning him that there are other worlds besides theirs and that he will need to protect their universe from being attacked by others.
Earth-616, also known as the "Sacred Timeline", is the main universe depicted in the MCU.[65] Despite having been designated as Earth-199999 by Marvel Comics in 2008 in a handbook,Multiverse of Madness establishes the MCU as Earth-616, sharing the name withthe primary setting of the comics.[196] Marvel Studios executiveNate Moore previously referred to the main MCU universe as Earth-616 in November 2021,[197] and Feige also began using the term internally prior to the release ofMultiverse of Madness.[198] In addition to Beck's use of the term inFar From Home, a reference to the "616 universe" can be seen onErik Selvig's blackboard inThe Dark World.[199]
After learning of Thanos' army's assault on Earth in search of the Mind Stone, and a prophecy heralding the destruction of Earth on the same day in the fifth season ofAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (during the main events ofInfinity War), a gravitonium-infusedGlenn Talbot, intending to assist the Avengers in their battle against Thanos' army,[200][201][202][203] attempts to draw more gravitonium from the core of the Earth to increase his power,[204] inadvertently destroying the Earth and fulfilling the prophecy he intended to avert.[205] In the main events of the season,Phil Coulson and his agents are transported to this future from 2017, learning that their future selves, on failing to prevent the destruction of Earth, instead saved a small portion of humanity inside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Lighthouse base, now in orbit around Earth's remains as a makeshift space station.[206] After returning to their own time, in 2018, six months after they left their original universe,Daisy Johnson blasts Talbot into space before he can accidentally destroy the planet.[205]
The Avengers visit New York City in an alternate 2012 during the Battle of New York inEndgame. WhileBruce Banner / Smart Hulk implores the Ancient One to relinquish theTime Stone, Rogers intercepts aS.T.R.I.K.E. team and acquiresLoki's scepter containing theMind Stone. Stark and Lang attempt to thieve the Tesseract from Stark's alternate counterpart, but the plan goes awry and Loki escapes with the Tesseract.[13] InLoki, this reality is "reset" by the TVA and the alternate Loki is arrested.[67]
During the Avengers' Time Heist inEndgame,Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow,Clint Barton / Hawkeye,James Rhodes / War Machine, and Nebula time-travel to an alternate Morag in 2014. Romanoff and Barton depart on theBenatar to Vormir to acquire theSoul Stone, in which Romanoff sacrifices herself. Meanwhile, Rhodes and Nebula successfully acquire the Orb containing thePower Stone, but Nebula is captured by the 2014 Thanos.[13] Later, 2014 Thanos and his warship, theSanctuary II, are teleported to the Avengers Compound in 2023, leading to a major battle between Thanos' forces and the Avengers,Guardians of the Galaxy, Masters of the Mystic Arts, Wakandans, Asgardians, andRavagers. An alternate version of Gamora from 2014 betrays Thanos and joins 2023 Nebula, later disappearing from the battlefield.[47] She returned in the filmGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).[207]
Two alternate universes so far inWhat If...? have served as significant plot points to the story or are planned to be expanded upon in future projects.
The episode "What If... Ultron Won?" of the first season ofWhat If...? is centered on an alternate universe where Ultron transfers his consciousness into theVision's body, acquires the Infinity Stones from Thanos, and wipes out all life in the universe.[93] This leads into the first-season finale, "What If... the Watcher Broke His Oath?", in which the Watcher assembles six multiversal characters from the previous episodes to the Guardians of the Multiverse, and Ultron is defeated.[95] The animators used an artistic effect called theKirby Krackle in these two episodes to demonstrate the multiversal power of Ultron and the Watcher, which Bradley was adamant on including due to it never having been used before in the MCU.[209]
No Way Home features characters from Sam Raimi'sSpider-Man film series, with many actors reprising their roles from the trilogy.[99][100][101] The version of Parker from this universe, dubbed "Peter-Two", uses organic webbing instead ofweb shooters like his alternate counterparts,[210] and maintains a complicated relationship with love interestMary Jane Watson.[211] Three of Parker's villains, which include Osborn, Octavius, and Marko, are transported to Earth-616 as well.[99][100][101] The official script forNo Way Home refers to Parker's universe as being dubbed the "Raimi-verse".[212]
No Way Home also features characters from Marc Webb'sThe Amazing Spider-Man film series, with many actors reprising their roles from the duology.[99][100][101] The version of Parker from this universe, dubbed "Peter-Three", reels from the death of girlfriendGwen Stacy in the filmThe Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), holding himself responsible for his failure to save her, even becoming violent and rageful as a result in the years following her death.[213][108] Two of Parker's villains, which include Connors and Dillon, are transported to Earth-616 as well.[99][100][101] The official script forNo Way Home refers to Parker's universe as being dubbed the "Webb-verse".[212]
Earth-838 is first introduced inMultiverse of Madness. It is most notably the home to the Illuminati, a secret society founded by analternate version of Strange. After causing an "incursion" of another reality as a byproduct of using theDarkhold to defeat Thanos,[214] Strange is executed by Boltagon onTitan,[139] and he is succeeded by Mordo as one of the members of the Illuminati.[127] The Illuminati was formed in the wake of the Ultron program's success by Stark and the Avengers' subsequent retirement.[215] Other notable inhabitants of Earth-838 include Palmer, Maximoff,[120] her childrenBilly andTommy,[216] and various Ultron sentries. The Ultron sentries are voiced byRoss Marquand, returning fromWhat If...? in which he replacedJames Spader voicing Ultron from the filmAvengers: Age of Ultron (2015).[217] This reality also exists under anauthoritarianpolice state rule, as revealed by screenwriterMichael Waldron.[218]
Earth-10005 is introduced inDeadpool & Wolverine asWade Wilson / Deadpool's home reality and the setting of 20th Century Fox'sX-Men film series.[220] As the universe begins to disintegrate following the death ofJames "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine inLogan (2017),[220][178] theTime Variance Authority (TVA) take in Deadpool and show him the history of the MCU, shown via archive recordings of past MCU films.[221] Additionally,Laura / X-23, portrayed byDafne Keen who reprises her role fromLogan, is revealed both in-film and by Keen herself to be the same version, having aged several years past the events ofLogan before being pruned by the TVA into the Void and eventually become part of the Resistance group.[186]
The Magical Mystery Tour sequence inDoctor Strange was praised by critics, with Umberto Gonzales ofTheWrap calling it a "trippy psychedelic thrill ride" and Britt Hayes ofScreenCrush describing it as "astounding, elaborate stuff".[222][223] On the time travel-centric plot ofEndgame,Peter Travers ofRolling Stone found it clichéd but distinctive,[224] while Peter Debruge ofVariety called it the "most desperate of narrative cheats".[225]Justin Chang of theLos Angeles Times felt that the use of time travel sacrificed consistency for nostalgia-arousingfan service.[226] Following reports thatNo Way Home would involve the multiverse, Adam B. Vary ofVariety felt that the multiverse could allowTom Holland, who portrays Parker in the MCU, to appear in the SSU.[227] Graeme McMillian ofThe Hollywood Reporter speculated whether the Fantastic Four andX-Men would enter the MCU through the multiverse,[228] while Hoai-Tran Bui of/Film questioned whether the addition of multiversal characters would overshadow Holland's performance inNo Way Home.[229] Following the film's release, Benjamin Lee ofThe Guardian applauded Watts for bringing back numerousSpider-Man villains,[230] while John DeFore ofThe Hollywood Reporter believed that the multiversal plot point addressed the "Iron Man-ification of the character" in prior MCUSpider-Man films.[100] Lee and DeFore also noted the level of fan service present in the film, which was echoed by Bilge Ebiri ofVulture and Don Kaye ofDen of Geek.[101][231]
The depiction of the multiverse inMultiverse of Madness garnered a mixed response from critics. Chang believed that the film's approach to the multiverse allowed the filmmakers to pose intriguing philosophical questions, contrasting this to the multiverse's depiction in the filmEverything Everywhere All at Once (2022).[121]TheWrap reviewer Alonso Duralde felt thatMultiverse of Madness failed to achieveEverything Everywhere All at Once's level of "wit and nerve and character", but commended the America Portal Ride scene as "memorably trippy".[232] Peter Bradshaw ofThe Guardian was entertained by the America Portal Ride scene, but felt that the concept of the multiverse reduced the overall story's stakes.[233] DeFore, who also reviewed this film, criticized the MCU's multiverse as a "rapidly aging plot device" and a "franchise-sustaining crutch".[234] David Ehrlich ofIndieWire voiced frustration over the fact that the film only focused on two parallel universes despite its title, further ridiculing Earth-838's unusual characteristics.[235]Collider's Ross Bonaime, andThe Atlantic's David Sims, andThe Mary Sue's Princess Weekes all criticized the film's excessive reliance on fan service.[236][237][238] Writing forRogerEbert.com, Brian Tallerico also praised the America Portal Ride sequence, but was disappointed that the film failed to fully tap into the potential of the multiverse.[239]Owen Gleiberman ofVariety questioned the logic of the MCU's multiverse.[240]
Evan Peters appears in the ending of the episode "On a Very Special Episode..." ofWandaVision as "Pietro Maximoff", after previously portrayingPeter Maximoff in Fox'sX-Men films.[241]The character was previously portrayed byAaron Taylor-Johnson inAge of Ultron,[242] with the characterDarcy Lewis noting that Pietro had been "recast" in the fictionalWandaVisionshow-within-a-show sitcom.[243] This appearance was widely discussed by commentators, who declared it an exciting surprise.[244] Many critics believed that this set the stage for the multiverse to be explored in future Phase Four properties.[245] In the series finale, "The Series Finale", Peters' character is revealed to actually beRalph Bohner, a resident ofWestview who is being controlled byAgatha Harkness and impersonating Pietro.[246][247] This twist was met with a mixed response from critics. Matt Purslow ofIGN was disappointed that viewers' speculation did not pay off, calling this an "unfair trick from Marvel",[248] while his colleague Carlos Morales criticized the casting as unnecessary and hollow.[249] On the other hand, Stephen Robinson ofThe A.V. Club felt that this was an "elegantly simple and self-contained" reveal.[250] Chancellor Agard ofEntertainment Weekly and Daniel Gillespie ofScreen Rant concurred, with Agard relieved that Peters' character was not the same version from theX-Men films and Gillespie praising the casting as a way to generate discussion.[251][252]Variety's Vary thought this was a "really good joke", but noted how the apparent "multiverse shenanigans" had caused fan speculation to run rampant.[253]
Maguire and Garfield's appearances inNo Way Home were kept secret until the film's release, with Holland,[254][255][256] Garfield,[257][258] and Feige repeatedly denying the actors' involvement with the film.[259] As a result, reports of the aforementioned characters' return generated intense speculation and interest online.[260]Multiverse of Madness had a similar level of speculation asNo Way Home prior to its release, with many viewers theorizing that non-MCU Marvel characters would appear in the film.[261] Many of these rumors did not pan out,[262] with the notable exception of Stewart, who initially denied his involvement.[263] Waldron expressed interest in the rumor thatTom Cruise would portray an alternate version ofIron Man, but stated that Cruise was never approached due to his filming commitments toMission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) andThe Final Reckoning (2025).[159]Ryan Reynolds, who portraysWade Wilson / Deadpool in Fox'sX-Men films, rejected claims that he would appear in the film,[264] but Waldron revealed that discussions were held regarding whether to include a cameo appearance by him.[265] Roger Cheng ofCNET was disappointed by the Illuminati cameos inMultiverse of Madness due to their limited screentime, opining that the cameos failed to elicit the same feeling of excitement asNo Way Home did.[266] Similarly, Kirsten Acuna ofBusiness Insider dismissed the cameos as "gimmicky fan service" and a missed opportunity.[267] Belen Edwards ofMashable argued the opposite, believing that the Illuminati's quick and brutal death sequences were a "nice change of pace" fromNo Way Home's level of fan service.[268]
The introduction of the concept of incursions inMultiverse of Madness led several commentators to believe that Marvel Studios was setting up for an adaptation ofSecret Wars (2015),[269][270][271] in which incursions play a key role.[272] Evaluating the direction of the MCU, Vary noted the prevalence of the multiverse and the introduction of Kang as a potential "big bad".[273] Feige later revealed that recent MCU projects contained hints as to where the franchise was heading, igniting further speculation.[274][275][276]
In regards to rumors about possible cameos forDeadpool & Wolverine from characters of past non-MCU Marvel films likeJennifer Garner'sElektra Natchios fromDaredevil (2003) andElektra (2005),Liev Schreiber'sSabretooth fromX-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) orTaylor Swift making a cameo appearance asDazzler, director Shawn Levy noted that some rumored appearances were true while others were not.[277] Levy noted how the characters that were included in the film were added to its story as it developed rather than being based on a "wishlist" of characters and cameos the producers wanted to include,[278] adding that he and the filmmakers were "disciplinarian" and "judicious" over which characters to choose from the unlimited access to the Marvel film legacy as long as the film was "warm-hearted" by vesting in those characters, like Pyro due to sharing the same powers as the Human Torch, though he admitted some inclusions were more personal like that of Tyler Mane's Sabretooth due toZeb Wells' love for the character.[192]
Waldron acknowledged the danger of using the multiverse as aplot device in the MCU, believing that the stakes of the story could be reduced "if you don't make it personal".[279] Loveness echoed Waldron's comments, adding that he hoped to "evolve" the MCU's multiversal storytelling. He also found it a challenge to make the MCU's multiverse feel unique, given its presence inRick and Morty,Everything Everywhere All at Once, and theSony Pictures Animation filmSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).[169]Joe Russo, who co-directedEndgame with his brotherAnthony, cautioned that an overabundance of multiverse-centric films could lead to adverse results, calling on screenwriters to "push back" against film studios'corporate agendas.[280][281]Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) directorTim Miller felt thatEndgame's depiction of time travel was inferior to that of theTerminator franchise because it lowered the story's stakes.[282]The Wolverine (2013) andLogan directorJames Mangold, despite his past work in the interconnectedX-Men film series, expressed his dislike for multiverses and multi-movie universe-building, deeming them the "enemy and death" of storytelling because people care more for "the way theLegos connect" over how the story works for the audience, which should be in an emotional level instead of "intellectually" throughEaster eggs.[283]
The mid-credits scene of the SSU filmVenom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) sees Brock and Venom being transported to the MCU through the multiverse as a result of Strange's first spell inSpider-Man: No Way Home.[284][285] Feige stated that this scene was the product of significant collaboration between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures,[286] and was directed by Watts during the production of that film.[109] After the release ofLet There Be Carnage, many commentators expected Hardy to reprise his roles inNo Way Home,[287][288][284] with the character ultimately appearing in the film's mid-credits scene.[103] Audiences reacted positively toLet There Be Carnage's mid-credits scene,[289][290] though William Hughes ofThe A.V. Club and Vinnie Mancuso ofCollider both noted how the scene overshadowed the rest of the film.[291][292]
In a similar fashion, the two mid-credits scenes of the SSU filmMorbius (2022) see the MCU'sAdrian Toomes / Vulture, portrayed byMichael Keaton and last seen in the filmSpider-Man: Homecoming (2017), transported to the SSU as a result of Strange's second spell inNo Way Home. He proceeds to ally withMorbius's titular character,Michael Morbius, with the intention of forming a team to defeat Spider-Man.[293][294] DirectorDaniel Espinosa stated that it was always Sony's intention to have Keaton cameo as Toomes, citing the animatedInto the Spider-Verse as the primary inspiration for the scenes.[295] Both scenes received an overwhelmingly negative response from critics, who found them confusing and unsatisfying.[296][297] Writing forThe Mary Sue, Julia Glassman felt that the scenes "[fell] flat" unlikeLet There Be Carnage's mid-credits scene,[298] while Kate Erbland ofIndieWire was puzzled by Keaton's sudden appearance.[299]Time Out's Cathy Brennan opined that the scenes were a weak attempt by Sony to "court an audience by dangling a potential connection" to the MCU,[300] whileEsquire's Brady Langmann andDen of Geek's Kaye criticized the scenes' poor writing and lack of logic.[301][302] Eliana Dockterman ofTime described the scene as fulfilling Sony's "corporate mandate" of connecting the SSU to the MCU, pointing out how it contradicted many plot elements ofHomecoming andNo Way Home.[303]
X-Men '97 (2024), the Disney+revival ofX-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), was produced byMarvel Studios Animation, but it is set in a separate continuity from the MCU's Sacred Timeline, though Winderbaum suggested that the show's characters can appear eventually in MCU projects thanks to the potential for connections fromLoki and every other multiverse stories,[307] saying that "if your brain wants to go there, you know there's always the potential for connections" while acknowledging that the show takes place in a universe of different 1990s cartoons.[308] The first season's fifth episode featured a cameo appearance ofUatu in the sky, with the character resembling his appearance inWhat If...?; head director and supervising producer Jake Castorena thus commented that everything in the MCU was "absolutely connected" such as Uatu's cameo, comparing the show to the MCU for its many cameo appearances from different characters before the film franchise's creation, though he admitted that while the cameo may not have been in the script, it was discussed in very early conversations to include the Watcher due to the episode's significant events.[309] However, former head writerBeau DeMayo stated onTwitter that he and the showrunners saw the show set in its "own branching tree" over the MCU's, but concluded it would depend on Marvel whether to make connections and admitted "a few leaves" may mingle with another at some point.[310] While the series isn't set in the MCU's Sacred Timeline, episode director Emi Yonemura stated that Feige did consider making the show canon within the MCU at one point, but desisted due to the original series being set in its own universe whereas the mutants have just started appearing in the MCU sinceMultiverse of Madness, which enabled the showrunners to do justice to the X-Men and their fans just as the MCU starts depicting mutants more and more according to Castorena, who insisted to let both depictions be different, with Yonemura arguing that if they try to connect the show's universe with the MCU, it may hinder storytelling to they are better off by letting them be separate.[311]
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025), a Disney+ animated television series, is set in analternate timeline from the mainfilms andtelevision series of the MCU whereNorman Osborn becomes Peter Parker's mentor instead of Tony Stark. The first season's tenth episode featured a cameo appearance of Uatu in the sky after Doctor Strange wishes Spider-Man well in his destiny, with the character resembling his appearance inWhat If...?; series creator Jeff Trambell stated that the cameo was more of a reference toWhat If...? than to the show's upcoming second season, enjoying the idea that the Watcher looks other worlds and universes the audience see despite the show being "very grounded, street-level" and intending to keep its tone that way.[312] The show was originally intended to be set in the MCU's Sacred Timeline, but the creative team soon found that the idea limited them too much their story possibilities to the point of not letting them "being fun" for the sake of locking in continuity, so they opted to "let it have a live and go where it wanted to go",[313] taking advantage of the multiverse to explore analternate timeline where the timeline diverges fromCaptain America: Civil War (2016) by changing Parker's mentor and his journey's route from that point onwards.[314]
^Hewitt, Chris (February 2016). "The 2016 Preview – 07 Doctor Strange".Empire. United Kingdom. p. 85.'We see glimpses of something called the Dark Dimension,' says Feige, 'but if you were to open a Doctor Strange comic drawn by Steve Ditko, you would see the Dark Dimension is, in fact, very colourful in an extremely psychedelic way. Those are the things we're not shying away from.'
