Marvel Cinematic Universe - Softonic English

Complete MCU timeline explained

Confused about Marvel’s timelines? This video should help!

With “Avengers: Endgame” and the upcoming “Spider-Man: Far From Home“, we’re quickly wrapping up Marvel’s Phase 3. For the avid Marvel fan there’s a wealth of awesome content in the past 10 years of movies, but for the novice who’s looking to hop aboard the hype train, there’s something of a learning curve.

Even if you’ve been following these films since Jon Favreau kicked them off with “Iron Man” in 2008, you might be scratching your head trying to remember whether Odin’s father killed the Dark Elves before Red Skull was born. Or maybe you’ve got no idea when Thanos adopted Gamora. Perhaps you can’t quite recall how many times the Tesseract traded hands. Lucky for us, Looper recently put out this handy timeline video that charts out the entire MCU timeline – everything from the Big Bang up to “Far From Home.” So strap in and buckle up; it’s a bumpy ride!

This video does a great job of fitting in all the concurrent events, and only slipped up on a few small details:

1. Ultron used the Mind Stone to create Vision, not the Soul Stone.

2. Zemo didn’t control Bucky to assassinate T’chaka; he did it himself while wearing a mask.

3. While this mentions “Agent Carter” it doesn’t bring up the littany of other Marvel Netflix shows, such as “Jessica Jones,” “Luke Cage,” “Daredevil,” or “Defenders.” Techincally these are canon too!

We hope this timeline helps straighten out some of the foggier details of the MCU.

Go ahead and bookmark this page if you need a quick reference once Phase 4 rolls around!

Why ‘Endgame’ Thor is so important

Here’s why Thor is the heart and soul of “Avengers: Endgame.”

* SPOILERS BELOW *

People deal with grief in different ways, and many of them are not healthy. Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” starts Thor off in a bad mental place, where he is stewing in his failure to properly behead the mad Titan. He’s off in the corner of the room, not saying a word, and when it comes time to face Thanos again he decapitates him before the rest of the team is ready. He flies off and that’s the last we see of the thunder god until five years later – five years that were less than kind to him.

The ending of “Avengers: Infinity War” is the biggest tragedy in the history of the universe. Billions of organisms (remember, it’s all life; not just people) are turned to dust. The Avengers failed to save the day. The bad guy succeeded in his plan, and then he got away. They didn’t even get to ‘avenge’ the fallen properly. It’s a crippling blow for our heroes’ morale, and for Thor, it was even worse since, at least in his mind, he’s the only one who might have been able to stop Thanos (“should’ve gone for the head”). It was a particularly bad time for the Asgardian to fail once again. We’re shown a candid perspective of Thor’s mental place before he forges Stormbreaker during a conversation with Rocket. Even as far back as then, the poor guy really needed some therapy:

Tasteless jokes?

We go from Thor in the above scene to the aforementioned dark and brooding Thor at “Endgame’s” start. Then we shift to five years later when he’s put on some pounds, let his hair grow unkempt down to his shoulders, and, as War Machine puts it, “has Cheez Whiz running through his veins.”

After the emotional turmoil of “Infinity War” this is how we approach Thor? Jabs at his weight and insensitive remarks? It wasn’t the decision to make Thor fat that caused such a backlash from fans; it was the constant jokes made at his expense. Was fat Thor a weak attempt to inject some humor into an otherwise dark story?

fat Thor Avengers Endgame — Thor drowning his sorrows in what looks like some delicious guacamole.

Avengers: Infinity War

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Avengers: Endgame

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Thor faces new challenges

Thor is depressed. Not only that, it’s a welcome example of depression being portrayed in a realistic way: Thor isn’t sitting in the dark alone and crying. He’s with his friends; he’s laughing, he’s partying. But when it comes time step up and face the trauma that’s digging at him, he is stubborn and afraid.

On the character’s evolution, director Anthony Russo voiced that Thor’s arc in “Endgame” is one of his favorites. “It’s so devious and subversive,” he said proudly, “when comedy is coming from a place of complete commitment and emotional complexity.” It’s an unexpected turn for the normally godlike character, and it shows one of the angles that Stan Lee was most keen to convey: It’s not your powers or prowess that make you a superhero; it’s who you are as a person.

Thor: Ragnarok Chris Hemsworth shirtless — This shirtless scene in “Thor: Ragnarok” was played for a much different effect.

The main villain of “Iron Man 2” wasn’t Whiplash or Justin Hammer. It was Tony Stark and his own personal issues. Thanos is still a huge threat in “Endgame,” but the first two acts of the film are more about showing how our heroes deal with failure. Thor is an excellent example of this deeper, internal conflict, and Chris Hemsworth was not afraid to play it to its limit. “I like that anything goes. You’re not locked into expectations,” he said. “I enjoyed that version of Thor. It was so different than any other way I played the character. And then it took on a life of its own.”

How Stan Lee created Marvel’s complex characters

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Originally, the intent was that Thor would regain his godlike physique before the final showdown with Thanos. However, Hemsworth stressed that he would instead like the character to remain overweight, a sentiment that a more lazy actor would never have voiced; putting on that fat prosthetic was no cakewalk (pun slightly intended). “It was certainly exhausting,” said the actor. “I had weights on my hands and ankles just to have my arms and legs swing differently when I shuffled along through the set. Physically, it was a good three hours in hair and makeup. Then the prosthetic suit, particularly for the shirt-off scene, that was a big silicone that weighed about 90 pounds.” The decision to keep “fat Thor” throughout the movie is one of the defining reasons we think the choice was made for more than just cheap comedy.

Why it’s so important

There isn’t one right way to be hero, and everyone deals with depression differently. Thor’s at his lowest point – where can he go from there? “Endgame” screenwriter Christopher Markus reflected that “we wondered ‘okay, well, what if he does become a sort of depressive alcoholic?’ And the weight gain was just part and parcel of that state of mind. We didn’t go, like, ‘let’s chunk him up; it’ll be hilarious.’ I think he is the ideal Thor at the end of the movie, and he’s carrying some weight.”

Thor Dr. Strange beer — Thor’s alcoholism didn’t come from nowhere. It makes sense that depression would ramp it up.

Thor’s got a problem for sure, but it’s his mental state. It isn’t his weight. For all the snipes and jokes made at the expense of his bloated figure, the action on-screen never presents Thor’s bulging stomach as an actual problem. It’s merely a symptom of the mental illness he’s struggling to live with. To emphasize that point, Thor is still able to summon Mjolnir during the scene with his mother, Frigga. “I’m still worthy!” he cries out in surprise.

Are you worthy enough to wield Thor’s hammer?

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When Thor comes out to face Thanos during the final fight, he’s not magically thin. He’s got his beard in a neat braid, he’s got lighting coursing through his body, and he’s as strong as ever. He needed to get back in the fight mentally. He needed to face his demons firsthand. He didn’t need a treadmill and a stalk of celery. The fact that there intentionally is not a physical transformation for Thor speaks volumes about the Directors’ decision: Depression and apathy don’t have anything to do with body weight, and neither does curing it.

Thor’s character arc has taken him to a new, unexpected place of power and self-confidence. As per his mother’s advice, he’s stopped trying to be the person he’s supposed to be, and started becoming who he is.

As for what’s next for the thunder god, Hemsworth excitedly stated “I’d still love to do more, to be honest. And I don’t know what the plan is. I feel like we’ve opened up such a different character. I feel more energized for the possibility of where it could go.”

Endgame Thor Mjolnir Stormbreaker — Thor is stronger now than ever before. Ever ‘BeThor?’

Does this mean he’ll be keeping the weight in what the character endearingly called the “Asgardians of the Galaxy?”

Let us know in the comments below if you’d like to see more “fat Thor” in future films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and we’ll see you in theaters for “Spider-Man: Far From Home!”

Which MCU weapon should you wield? (Quiz)

See what weapon best suits your personality.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the home of many iconic weapons – Infinity Gauntlets that can erase the universe with a single snap, swords that unlock bridges to other planets, and staffs that can take over people’s minds. There’s something for everybody, but which is the right one for you? Take our quiz below and find out which weapon from “Avengers: Endgame” you should take into combat!

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Satisfied with your choice? If not, just grab the nearest Time Stone and go for a do-over. Let us know what you got in the comments below, and we’ll see you in theaters!

If you haven’t seen it yet, you should also totally check out the new trailer for “Spider-Man: Far from Home.” Get ready for a wild ride!

How well do you know the MCU?

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Are you worthy enough to wield Thor’s hammer?

Take our quiz to see if you could pick up Thor’s mighty hammer.

“Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.” That’s the inscription Odin placed upon Mjolnir, the infallible weapon wielded by his son, Thor. While Thor is famous for using this hammer, carrying it into battle was not his birthright. It was something he had to earn. If you can’t remember a time where Thor didn’t have his trusty Mjolnir, you might want to re-watch his first film in the MCU. Luckily for you, you can live-stream “Thor” right here!

It takes a lot of internal strength to wield Thor’s hammer, and precious few are deserving of the honor. Are you one of them? Take our quiz and discover whether your are worthy!

Are you worthy of Mjolnir? If not, never fear; as we’ve seen in the MCU, strength can come from the most unexpected of places – don’t write yourself off yet! It may simply be time to “stop trying to be the person you’re supposed to be and start being who you truly are.” Take another crack at it when you’re feeling zen, and we’ll see you in theaters for “Avengers: Endgame!”

5 Marvel stories the MCU should use after ‘Avengers: Endgame’

With Endgame in our rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead at other possible Marvel projects to come.

SPOILERS BELOW!

Now that we got that out of the way…

The aftermath of “Avengers: Endgame” left many fans in tears, both of joy and of sadness. The film presented a satisfying and climactic end to a 22-movie saga that changed the landscape of blockbuster films forever. We don’t know where the MCU is going to go after Endgame, but we do have some theories:

Where does the MCU go after Endgame?

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For many fans, it’s difficult to imagine Marvel ever surpassing Endgame. While this may end up being true, there have been dozens of huge crossover events throughout Marvel’s decades of comic books. One major advantage the MCU has moving forward is Disney’s purchase of FOX. This gives the MCU access to lucrative Marvel characters like the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and Deadpool. Here are five massive Marvel stories that could end up becoming major successes in the MCU:

5 Marvel stories the MCU should use after “Avengers: Endgame”

5. Secret Invasion

In the comics, the shapeshifting alien Skrulls have been a pain in the side of many superhero teams. This includes the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. The storyline “Secret Invasion” has several key figures in the Marvel Universe being kidnapped and secretly replaced with Skrulls. It leads up to a full-on invasion of Earth.

Earth’s heroes quickly find themselves unable to trust one another, worried that they may be talking to a Skrull. The Skrulls even took the form of several beloved dead Marvel heroes to sew confusion and emotional vulnerability among the Avengers. This is something that could be exploited in a movie adaptation to bring back some fan-favorite characters temporarily.

The invasion force has them combining the powers of several heroes into single beings called Super Skrulls. In this story, the Skrulls use their psychological and scientific prowess to bring the Avengers to their knees.

The Skrulls finally made their MCU appearance in “Captain Marvel,” being portrayed as sympathetic refugees hoping to escape the imperialistic, warlike Kree. While their portrayal in “Captain Marvel” worked in the movie and was a welcome surprise, there are several ways the MCU can turn the Skrulls into a vicious invasion force.

Since “Captain Marvel” took place in the ’90s, they could show a rebuilt Skrull Empire that has since shunned their peaceful ways. Alternatively, they could show a powerful Skrull terrorist force that goes rogue from the Skrulls we already saw. Either way, “Secret Invasion” would be a massive, body-snatching cinematic experience.

4. Annihilation

“Annihilation” was a comic storyline that had many of Marvel’s cosmic heroes like the Silver Surfer, (what would become) the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Nova defending the universe against the unstoppable Annihilation Wave. The Annihilation Wave was a force of millions of insect-like ships led by Annihlus. It was so powerful it managed to subdue both Thanos and Galactus. The storyline is often cited as one of Marvel’s best events ever.

Films like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” and “Captain Marvel” have expanded on the MCU’s cosmic side for years. They show a delightfully weird and colorful cast of characters and locations. After introducing some of FOX’s Marvel characters like the Silver Surfer, an MCU adaptation of “Annihilation” would be the grand climax the MCU cosmos deserves.

3. Avengers vs X-Men

In many ways, FOX’s X-Men movie franchise can be seen as a precursor to the MCU. While it had its ups and downs, you can’t say that it wasn’t ambitious. Now that Disney owns FOX, the beloved cast of mutants can finally join the MCU. And what better way to introduce them to the Avengers than to have them fight?

The “Avengers vs X-Men” comic event is confusing, overstuffed, and underwhelming. However, this doesn’t mean that the basic concept wouldn’t translate well to the MCU. Pairing up Marvel’s most famous mutants like Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, and Gambit against the Avengers would be many comic fans’ dream come true.

Since Marvel has had continued success in bringing together huge casts of characters, they should have no problem with this. It’s unfortunate we wouldn’t see iconic Avengers like Iron Man or Captain America suit up to fight the mutants. However, it would nonetheless be a treat for audiences to have two of Marvel’s greatest teams duke it out.

2. House of M

The Scarlet Witch of the comics is a very different beast than the one in the MCU. After experiences devastating losses, she uses her reality-warping powers to change the world. She creates one where everyone she cares about gets their heart’s desire.

In this new world, mutants dominate the world and humans are second class citizens. She rules alongside her adoptive father Magneto and her brother Quicksilver. They try to put an end to the constant human uprisings led by revolutionaries like Luke Cage. Some characters don’t want this world to end. Spider-Man, for example, is a beloved hero in this world who is happily married to the now alive Gwen Stacy.

In the MCU, Wanda has faced incredible loss after the events of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Captian America: Civil War,” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” After Thanos brutally resurrects and then murders Vision after she was forced to kill him, Wanda was quickly snapped away by the mad titan.

When she comes back in the climactic battle of “Avengers: Endgame,” she shows a brand new ferocity in her fight against Thanos. She is nearly able to kill him singlehandedly by ripping him apart. This newly revived Wanda is clearly a broken person, which could easily lead her to do some questionable things. This may include rewriting reality. Scarlett Witch is set to appear in a new show for Disney+ called “WandaVision.” If the show follows “House of M,” we will not be disappointed.

1. Secret Wars

Note: This will be about Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars event and not the 1984 original miniseries.

The 2015 crossover event “Secret Wars” changed Marvel Comics forever. It brought an end and new beginning to the shared comic universe that had been running since the early 1960s. As the culmination of Jonathan Hickman‘s amazing Fantastic Four and Avengers runs, “Secret Wars” is arguably the greatest event Marvel has ever produced.

The series has Doctor Doom stealing the power of the omnipotent Beyonders, allowing him to bend reality to his will. Doom uses his new power to create Battleworld, a patchwork of various Marvel universes and timelines, all under his control. Different heroes and villains from across the Marvel Multiverse must band together and fight a hopeless battle against a god.

The Secret Wars storyline brought a rare sense of finality to comic books. While the Marvel Universe continued after “Secret Wars,” it would be one hell of a way to close out the MCU for good.

In conclusion

It’s still hard to believe that the Thanos saga has been concluded. We are happy with the conclusion, we just also want more. What stories would you like to see the MCU adapt moving forward? Let us know in the comments below!