10 Biggest Missed Opportunities Of Marvel’s 2023 Releases
Summary
The MCU has seen some important developments in 2023. The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy concluded, retiring several key characters; Loki bid farewell to the franchise in the highly emotional finale of Loki season 2; and Jonathon Majors' MCU debut as the official Kang the Conqueror. These developments promise to shape the MCU's future narratives as audiences prepare for Phase 4's conclusion. However, the MCU still missed some perfect opportunities in its 2023 releases.
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RelatedEvery Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 5 & 6 List (& Beyond)Between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, here is every upcoming Marvel movie release date and what we know about the projects so far. 10 Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania Wasted The Villain M.O.D.O.K. The Iconic Comic Character Could Have Been Much More Effective![]()
Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania
Release Date February 17, 2023 Director Peyton Reed Cast Michael Douglas , Jonathan Majors , Paul Rudd , Michelle Pfeiffer , Michael Pena , Evangeline Lilly , Kathryn Newton , Randall Park , Bill Murray Runtime 135 minutes MODOK (Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) underwent a peculiar transformation in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, merging the comic character with Ant-Man's antagonist Darren Cross. The character initially appeared comparable to the source material. However, once this film version removed his mask, he was turned into a comical, CGI-heavy caricature lacking the gravitas and intelligence of the original supervillain. The decision to present MODOK in this manner wasted the potential for an eerie and compelling realization of the famed comic book character. Instead, the MODOK that audiences received was a poor imitation that was roundly a disappointment.
9 Quantumania Should Have Established Kang As A Real Threat Kang The Conqueror Rivals Thanos In The Comics, But Not In The Movies Close In the comic books, the formidable Kang was driven to conquer because he was desperate to challenge his unparalleled intellect. Quantumania, however, portrayed Kang as a somewhat more generic villain, lacking the comic's imposing characterization. Kang was far too easy to defeat in Quantumania, which completely undermined his comic book reputation - and his apparent future role in the MCU. His entire function in Quantumania was to set up the next movie, and as a result, his narrative arc was incredibly muted. The movie proposed a sense of grandeur and peril considering Kang is supposed to take over from Thanos as the main villain, but he was quickly vanquished and very underwhelming.
8 Ant-Man 3 Lost The Micro Charm Of Ant-Man 1 & 2 Quantumania Barely Used Its Protagonists’ Powers And Suffered Because Of It![]()
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was very different from its predecessors and largely forgot its greatest strength. Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp toyed with the protagonists' size-changing powers, deriving great humor by depicting grand action in miniature locations. Quantumania was comparatively devoid of the series self-aware humor and suffered because of it. Furthermore, Quantumania only deployed the eponymous character's powers sporadically and instead favored a generic science-fiction plot that could have starred any superhero from Marvel's roster. As such, Quantumania lost the unique charm from the earlier movies and squandered the opportunity to elaborate on them further.
7 Loki Season 2 Could Have Furthered Loki and Sylvie’s Relationship The Couple Formed The Emotional Center In Season 1 Close Loki
Release Date June 11, 2021 Cast Tom Hiddleston , Richard E. Grant , Erika Coleman , Gugu Mbatha-Raw , Sophia Di Martino , Owen Wilson , Wunmi Mosaku , Sasha Lane Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Loki's second season deftly developed several original characters, yet the variant Sylvie felt strangely sidelined. The pair's romance was an essential facet of the first season, but season 2 seemingly abandoned this and pushed Sylvie into the background. The season instead centered on Loki and Mobius's friendship. Sylvie's limited screen time failed to address the consequences of her actions in season 1, diminishing the potential of her romance with Loki. This was particularly confusing as much of Loki's newfound heroism was driven by his admiration for Sylvie. Loki season 2, while entertaining, relegated this essential aspect from season 1 to a minor subplot.
6 Secret Invasion Wasted The Paranoid Spy Plot Secret Invasion Depicted A Far More Contained Story Than It Promised![]()
Secret Invasion
Release Date June 21, 2023 Cast Samuel L. Jackson , Ben Mendelsohn , Emilia Clarke , Cobie Smulders , Olivia Colman , Christopher McDonald , Carmen Ejogo , Kingsley Ben-Adir , Martin Freeman , Don Cheadle Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Secret Invasion positioned Nick Fury as the protagonist in an espionage adventure, steering away from the typical superhero narrative. However, the series failed to capture the paranoia and expansive narrative depicted in the original comic book story. The undeniably interesting premise drew largely from the espionage genre. However, it revealed key Skrulls very early in the story, sabotaging some of the suspense the series could have had. Additionally, the original comic series featured a swathe of iconic characters who had been replaced by Skrulls, which had far-reaching ramifications for the Marvel universe. Secret Invasion opted instead for a much more contained story, with very few characters from the wider franchise.
5 Secret Invasion Wasted Maria Hill Maria Hill Should Have Appeared A Lot More![]()
In Secret Invasion, the return of Nick Fury and Maria Hill to the MCU promised a significant storyline, but it took an unexpected turn with Maria Hill's abrupt death. In the comics, Hill is a formidable and loyal spy, pivotal in major events like the Civil War and Secret Invasion. The potential to elevate her character in the MCU, especially considering Cobie Smulder's acting prowess, was completely squandered. Secret Invasion would have been the perfect opportunity to unleash her full potential, bridging the post-Blip era and connecting the Phase 4 heroes. Instead, she was killed for shock value and to provide Nick Fury with some motivation.
4 The Marvels Squandered Its Villain Dar-Benn Should Have Played A Much Larger Role![]()
The Marvels
Release Date November 10, 2023 Director Nia DaCosta Cast Brie Larson , Teyonah Parris , Iman Vellani , Zawe Ashton , Gary Lewis , Park Seo-joon , Zenobia Shroff , Mohan Kapur , Saagar Shaikh , Samuel L. Jackson Runtime 105 Minutes Dar-Benn's turn to villainy in The Marvels stemmed from Captain Marvel attacking the Kree Supreme Intelligence AI. While Carol Danvers believed she was freeing the Kree from oppression, she inadvertently sparked a civil war, leading Dar-Benn to consider her a terrorist. The Marvels, however, neglected to delve into Dar-Benn's background, missing an opportunity to explore her suffering, loss of family, and the harsh realities she faced. The rushed narrative sidelined potential character development and left Dar-Benn's motives and connection to other characters unexplored. The decision to quickly dispatch the character in the explosive finale hindered the opportunity to present Kree perspectives and proffer a fully fleshed-out villain.
3 The Marvels Should Have Evolved Kamala Khan Kamala Khan Should Have Reconsidered Her Captain Marvel Fandom Close Kamala Khan's unwavering admiration for Captain Marvel was a defining trait, showcased through her memorabilia-adorned room and dedicated blog. This took center stage in The Marvels but failed to feature adequate character development. The movie unveiled Captain Marvel's imperfections, revealing her role in the Kree civil war and her consequential actions. This prompted Kamala to momentarily question her idol's infallibility, particularly after witnessing Carol abandon refugees. Yet despite learning about Carol's mistakes, Kamala remained steadfast in her idolization, providing unwavering support and comfort instead of evolving into an independent hero. The Marvels concluded with Kamala still deeply enamored with Captain Marvel, not evolving in the slightest.
2 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Oversimplified Adam Warlock Adam Warlock Is A Complex And Vital Character In Marvel Comics![]()
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Release Date May 5, 2023 Director James Gunn Cast Chris Pratt , Dave Bautista , Karen Gillan , Zoe Saldana , Bradley Cooper , Pom Klementieff , Vin Diesel , Elizabeth Debicki Runtime 116 Minutes Adam Warlock's introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was a disappointment. Adam Warlock was introduced as a dim-witted assassin who provided little significance to the movie's narrative. Despite his crucial role in Marvel Comics, where Adam Warlock was a "man-god" who held the Soul Stone, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 reduced him to a comedic sidekick with minimal impact. In the comics, Warlock engaged in complex and grand storylines that showcased his cosmic powers and moral dilemmas. Marvel truly missed the opportunity to set up Adam Warlock's intricate backstory. The movie could have offered a much-needed counterbalance to the Guardians' irreverent humor, utilizing his cosmic stature and profundity.
1 Loki Season 2 Could Have Had Far Greater Closure Loki's Time-Slip Powers Could Have Revisited Previous Events And Characters![]()
The MCU missed a significant opportunity in the Loki season 2 finale by not allowing Loki to time-slip and reunite with his Asgardian family. As Loki navigated crucial moments with Mobius and Sylvie, a poignant farewell to Thor, Odin, and, crucially, Frigga could have brought far greater emotional closure. Loki could have reconciled his family issues - comparable to Thor visiting his mother in Avengers: Endgame. Loki's lack of closure showcased a missed chance for emotional resolution. Loki also squandered the opportunity to connect to the wider MCU franchise, which Loki's time-slip powers could have facilitated neatly. The Loki finale was great, but it should have seized this missed opportunity.
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- The ways in which the MCU wasted some prime opportunities are showcased via the way Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania portrayed the villain M.O.D.O.K., turning him into a comical caricature instead of a compelling supervillain.
- Quantumania also failed to establish Kang as a real threat, undermining his reputation and future role as the main villain.
- Secret Invasion and The Marvels also missed opportunities to expand characters' arcs and connect the overall franchise more cohesively and consistently.
The MCU has seen some important developments in 2023. The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy concluded, retiring several key characters; Loki bid farewell to the franchise in the highly emotional finale of Loki season 2; and Jonathon Majors' MCU debut as the official Kang the Conqueror. These developments promise to shape the MCU's future narratives as audiences prepare for Phase 4's conclusion. However, the MCU still missed some perfect opportunities in its 2023 releases.
RelatedEvery Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 5 & 6 List (& Beyond)Between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, here is every upcoming Marvel movie release date and what we know about the projects so far. 10 Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania Wasted The Villain M.O.D.O.K. The Iconic Comic Character Could Have Been Much More Effective
Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania Release Date February 17, 2023 Director Peyton Reed Cast Michael Douglas , Jonathan Majors , Paul Rudd , Michelle Pfeiffer , Michael Pena , Evangeline Lilly , Kathryn Newton , Randall Park , Bill Murray Runtime 135 minutes MODOK (Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) underwent a peculiar transformation in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, merging the comic character with Ant-Man's antagonist Darren Cross. The character initially appeared comparable to the source material. However, once this film version removed his mask, he was turned into a comical, CGI-heavy caricature lacking the gravitas and intelligence of the original supervillain. The decision to present MODOK in this manner wasted the potential for an eerie and compelling realization of the famed comic book character. Instead, the MODOK that audiences received was a poor imitation that was roundly a disappointment.
9 Quantumania Should Have Established Kang As A Real Threat Kang The Conqueror Rivals Thanos In The Comics, But Not In The Movies Close In the comic books, the formidable Kang was driven to conquer because he was desperate to challenge his unparalleled intellect. Quantumania, however, portrayed Kang as a somewhat more generic villain, lacking the comic's imposing characterization. Kang was far too easy to defeat in Quantumania, which completely undermined his comic book reputation - and his apparent future role in the MCU. His entire function in Quantumania was to set up the next movie, and as a result, his narrative arc was incredibly muted. The movie proposed a sense of grandeur and peril considering Kang is supposed to take over from Thanos as the main villain, but he was quickly vanquished and very underwhelming.
8 Ant-Man 3 Lost The Micro Charm Of Ant-Man 1 & 2 Quantumania Barely Used Its Protagonists’ Powers And Suffered Because Of It
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was very different from its predecessors and largely forgot its greatest strength. Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp toyed with the protagonists' size-changing powers, deriving great humor by depicting grand action in miniature locations. Quantumania was comparatively devoid of the series self-aware humor and suffered because of it. Furthermore, Quantumania only deployed the eponymous character's powers sporadically and instead favored a generic science-fiction plot that could have starred any superhero from Marvel's roster. As such, Quantumania lost the unique charm from the earlier movies and squandered the opportunity to elaborate on them further.7 Loki Season 2 Could Have Furthered Loki and Sylvie’s Relationship The Couple Formed The Emotional Center In Season 1 Close Loki
Release Date June 11, 2021 Cast Tom Hiddleston , Richard E. Grant , Erika Coleman , Gugu Mbatha-Raw , Sophia Di Martino , Owen Wilson , Wunmi Mosaku , Sasha Lane Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Loki's second season deftly developed several original characters, yet the variant Sylvie felt strangely sidelined. The pair's romance was an essential facet of the first season, but season 2 seemingly abandoned this and pushed Sylvie into the background. The season instead centered on Loki and Mobius's friendship. Sylvie's limited screen time failed to address the consequences of her actions in season 1, diminishing the potential of her romance with Loki. This was particularly confusing as much of Loki's newfound heroism was driven by his admiration for Sylvie. Loki season 2, while entertaining, relegated this essential aspect from season 1 to a minor subplot.
6 Secret Invasion Wasted The Paranoid Spy Plot Secret Invasion Depicted A Far More Contained Story Than It Promised
Secret Invasion Release Date June 21, 2023 Cast Samuel L. Jackson , Ben Mendelsohn , Emilia Clarke , Cobie Smulders , Olivia Colman , Christopher McDonald , Carmen Ejogo , Kingsley Ben-Adir , Martin Freeman , Don Cheadle Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Secret Invasion positioned Nick Fury as the protagonist in an espionage adventure, steering away from the typical superhero narrative. However, the series failed to capture the paranoia and expansive narrative depicted in the original comic book story. The undeniably interesting premise drew largely from the espionage genre. However, it revealed key Skrulls very early in the story, sabotaging some of the suspense the series could have had. Additionally, the original comic series featured a swathe of iconic characters who had been replaced by Skrulls, which had far-reaching ramifications for the Marvel universe. Secret Invasion opted instead for a much more contained story, with very few characters from the wider franchise.
5 Secret Invasion Wasted Maria Hill Maria Hill Should Have Appeared A Lot More
In Secret Invasion, the return of Nick Fury and Maria Hill to the MCU promised a significant storyline, but it took an unexpected turn with Maria Hill's abrupt death. In the comics, Hill is a formidable and loyal spy, pivotal in major events like the Civil War and Secret Invasion. The potential to elevate her character in the MCU, especially considering Cobie Smulder's acting prowess, was completely squandered. Secret Invasion would have been the perfect opportunity to unleash her full potential, bridging the post-Blip era and connecting the Phase 4 heroes. Instead, she was killed for shock value and to provide Nick Fury with some motivation.4 The Marvels Squandered Its Villain Dar-Benn Should Have Played A Much Larger Role
The Marvels Release Date November 10, 2023 Director Nia DaCosta Cast Brie Larson , Teyonah Parris , Iman Vellani , Zawe Ashton , Gary Lewis , Park Seo-joon , Zenobia Shroff , Mohan Kapur , Saagar Shaikh , Samuel L. Jackson Runtime 105 Minutes Dar-Benn's turn to villainy in The Marvels stemmed from Captain Marvel attacking the Kree Supreme Intelligence AI. While Carol Danvers believed she was freeing the Kree from oppression, she inadvertently sparked a civil war, leading Dar-Benn to consider her a terrorist. The Marvels, however, neglected to delve into Dar-Benn's background, missing an opportunity to explore her suffering, loss of family, and the harsh realities she faced. The rushed narrative sidelined potential character development and left Dar-Benn's motives and connection to other characters unexplored. The decision to quickly dispatch the character in the explosive finale hindered the opportunity to present Kree perspectives and proffer a fully fleshed-out villain.
3 The Marvels Should Have Evolved Kamala Khan Kamala Khan Should Have Reconsidered Her Captain Marvel Fandom Close Kamala Khan's unwavering admiration for Captain Marvel was a defining trait, showcased through her memorabilia-adorned room and dedicated blog. This took center stage in The Marvels but failed to feature adequate character development. The movie unveiled Captain Marvel's imperfections, revealing her role in the Kree civil war and her consequential actions. This prompted Kamala to momentarily question her idol's infallibility, particularly after witnessing Carol abandon refugees. Yet despite learning about Carol's mistakes, Kamala remained steadfast in her idolization, providing unwavering support and comfort instead of evolving into an independent hero. The Marvels concluded with Kamala still deeply enamored with Captain Marvel, not evolving in the slightest.
2 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Oversimplified Adam Warlock Adam Warlock Is A Complex And Vital Character In Marvel Comics
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Release Date May 5, 2023 Director James Gunn Cast Chris Pratt , Dave Bautista , Karen Gillan , Zoe Saldana , Bradley Cooper , Pom Klementieff , Vin Diesel , Elizabeth Debicki Runtime 116 Minutes Adam Warlock's introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was a disappointment. Adam Warlock was introduced as a dim-witted assassin who provided little significance to the movie's narrative. Despite his crucial role in Marvel Comics, where Adam Warlock was a "man-god" who held the Soul Stone, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 reduced him to a comedic sidekick with minimal impact. In the comics, Warlock engaged in complex and grand storylines that showcased his cosmic powers and moral dilemmas. Marvel truly missed the opportunity to set up Adam Warlock's intricate backstory. The movie could have offered a much-needed counterbalance to the Guardians' irreverent humor, utilizing his cosmic stature and profundity.
1 Loki Season 2 Could Have Had Far Greater Closure Loki's Time-Slip Powers Could Have Revisited Previous Events And Characters
The MCU missed a significant opportunity in the Loki season 2 finale by not allowing Loki to time-slip and reunite with his Asgardian family. As Loki navigated crucial moments with Mobius and Sylvie, a poignant farewell to Thor, Odin, and, crucially, Frigga could have brought far greater emotional closure. Loki could have reconciled his family issues - comparable to Thor visiting his mother in Avengers: Endgame. Loki's lack of closure showcased a missed chance for emotional resolution. Loki also squandered the opportunity to connect to the wider MCU franchise, which Loki's time-slip powers could have facilitated neatly. The Loki finale was great, but it should have seized this missed opportunity.[圖擷取自網路，如有疑問請私訊]
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