A movie's plot is only as strong as its subplots. In the MCU, minor characters often steal the show in these secondary storylines, adding depth to the narrative. However, some tangential threads hit a dead end, failing to impact the film's overall direction. This doesn't mean they're plot holes, just narrative threads with little influence. Consider Thor's bizarre dream vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron or the Illuminati's demise at the hands of the Scarlet Witch. Here, we'll explore the MCU subplots that didn't go anywhere.
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness explores fan service and opens the MCU's multiverse. The film moves to Earth-838, where the audience meets the Illuminati: Karl Mordo, Professor X, Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Peggy Carter, and Maria Rambeau. The film reveals the Illuminati protect the multiverse, making viewers think they will help Doctor Strange stop the Scarlet Witch's attack.The film features fan service and opens the MCU's multiverse. It moves to Earth-838, and the audience meets the Illuminati: Karl Mordo, Professor X, Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Peggy Carter, and Maria Rambeau. The Illuminati protect the multiverse, which makes viewers think they will help Doctor Strange stop the Scarlet Witch's rampage.
Scarlet Witch destroys these characters fast, making their inclusion feel like a cheap theater cameo. These characters have deep comic lore, but they serve only as cameos here and targets for Wanda Maximoff.
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Avengers: Age of Ultron appears in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.Avengers: Age of Ultron flies fast. The film covers much ground without pausing for the audience. Consider Thor's vision. Heimdall appears in Thor's vision, stating the God of Thunder will destroy Asgard. Then, the Infinity Stones flash as Thor sees future events. Soon after, Thor reappears with his friends, possessing new knowledge the viewer cannot grasp logically.
The dream sequence confuses viewers because the film underwent several cuts and reshoots.Joss Whedon revealed this on a podcast.The director explained the original cut showed Thor talking to the Norns, who possessed and spoke through him. However, test screenings disliked the scene, leading to reshoots and studio politics for the final version.
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This MCU subplot leads nowhere and stems from tragedy. Real-life actor Gaspard Ulliel's passing may have affected concrete plans for the character.Moon Knight is in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.Ulliel's Anton Mogart collects antiques in Cairo, Egypt. He deals in the black market and is an ally of the villain Arthur Harrow.
In comics, Mogart becomes the Midnight Man, a recognizable Moon Knight foe. Mogart's change to his villainous name never happens in the TV series, leaving the character's status unclear at the end of season one. Because Ulliel passed, it is uncertain if this character will be recast or if the arc will be addressed.
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In the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere' is In.Thor: Love and Thunder is in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.In Thor: Love and Thunder, the God of Thunder and his friends travel to Omnipotence City. They ask Zeus and other gods for help dealing withGorr the God Butcher is in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.What they find in Omnipotence City surprises them. Zeus cares more about partying than godly actions, unlike Andrew W. K.
Thor and his friends fight, escaping with Zeus's thunderbolt. Gods expect vengeance on Thor after these public acts for a wide audience.Love and Thunder appears in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.They stay quiet. But the post-credits scene shows Zeus's son, Hercules, getting ready to pursue Thor. This sets up something bigger in the MCU.
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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings appears in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.Katy watches everything. She is not a martial artist or a superhero; she reacts to events with surprise and disbelief.
When the heroes reach Ta-Lo, Katy learns magic war. She prepares for Wenwu's attack. She fights with the others, saving Ta-Lo and defeating the Dweller-in-Darkness. Katy quickly becomes goofy again, losing her heroic edge. Perhaps future films let her use these new skills better.
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Luis provides the comedy relief in the Ant-Man films.Ant-Man appears in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.Luis plays an important role in getting Scott Lang to finish his missions in the Ant-Man films.Ant-Man and the Wasp appears in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.Luis worries about X-Con Security Consultants' future. A big deal is the security contract for Mr. Karapetyan's buildings. Luis fears they might over-quote; this is a make-or-break situation.
The film suggests Mr. Karapetyan might have a bigger role in the third act. However, he only calls Luis. He tells Luis X-Con secured the deal after the company helped the San Francisco Police Department catch criminals. This closes the story loop. Still, this subplot is more a running joke than adding much to the main story.
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Tony Stark telling everyone he is Iron Man and giving out his home address might be a bad move in the MCU. Yet, this strips him down, making him vulnerable so the hero can rise again.
Tony escapes his destroyed home in an experimental suit, landing in Tennessee. There, he meets a young kid, who fans wrongly linked to Peter Parker, and learns about the Mandarin's attacks. Tony leaves Tennessee; the town plays no part in the main story. He does not move to a new town after his home is destroyed.
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Considering all the time and location jumps inLoki appears in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'., characters rarely reveal much about each other. The train scene changes this; Loki and Sylvie discuss life and love. Loki admits he loves both men and women. Sylvie talks about her relationship with a postman.
She seems happy talking about her beau, smiling as she shares what makes them special. This chat becomes a throwaway moment; the mysterious postman does not save Sylvie in the end. Like the rest of the train scene's emotions, this is just a dead end for the plot.
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As the God of Mischief, Loki uses his old tricks inThe Avengers appear in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.. One Avenger enslaves and zombifies Hawkeye. The arrow-loving Avenger recovers after fighting Black Widow, who reminds him of who he is, like a Nickelback song.
After this, systems work. Hawkeye helps the Avengers defeat Loki. There are no lingering threats or hints that Loki still controls him. Black Widow simply tells him what to do, and he snaps out of it. Even Jeremy Renner, the actor, did not like the Zombie Hawkeye plot, saying he was "The Avengers are a little frustrated.” and ready for his character to die in the movie. Geez, Louise.
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Jasper Sitwell is not a main MCU character, but he appears inThor is listed., The Avengers appear in the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'., and Captain America: The Winter Soldier is listed.. As a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, he should be good. However, The Winter Soldier is listed. shows he works for Hydra and is key to Project Insight, which will destroy anyone against the serpent society.
Black Widow and Captain America kidnap Sitwell, forcing him to reveal Hydra secrets. Fans expected a twist or Sitwell to help stop Hydra, but The Winter Soldier turns Sitwell into roadkill. Sitwell's big reveal feels like an info dump for the audience, a way better handled.
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Nebula and Gamora both hate Thanos. They also have a rough relationship.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 appears on the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.A sibling rivalry traps them, threatening everything. They know Thanos hurt them.
They set aside differences to work as a team. They skip deep talks or backstabs. They just agree they are good. After Nebula demands revenge, they make peace without fuss, frills, or affecting the final act.
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Early in the MCU, the show shows Tony Stark's strange bond with his dead father, Howard. Tony struggles to take his father's place.Iron Man 2 appears on the list 'MCU Side Quests That Don't Really Go Anywhere'.Iron Man 2 shows Tony's anger toward his father for prioritizing work. Tony learns Howard cared after seeing his father's true feelings. Hearing his father care erases the pain fast, even though it does not fix why Howard wasn't more present.
Howard found a past element. Tony cracks the code now and uses it. Howard's link to this element stays unclear. This is a deus ex machina.
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