Notice! Spoilers for all 2024 MCU releases.
2024 has seen many big changes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe this will have huge implications in the future. Admittedly, 2024 may not have been the year Marvel Studios initially hoped for, with several Disney+ films and series being pushed back to later years, resulting in just one feature film and two live-action series released in the franchise's canon. Still, with so few new projects, the MCU managed to reveal plenty of shocking moments by the end of the year.
Many of the 2024 MCU's unbelievable moments have happened within the few live-action projects that have been released, many of which have huge effects on the series' canon. Other spectacular moments came from Marvel Studios' animated shows or even Comic Con announcements, which made some dramatic and radical changes to the MCU's upcoming slate of films. Whatever the case, even though 2024 was a light year for Marvel in terms of the number of releases, it was certainly shocking.
10
is confirmed to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom
San Diego Comic-Con
Kang's soft replacement as the MCU's next big bad was something many fans predicted in 2024, with the writing on the wall between the character's lukewarm reception and the controversy surrounding Jonathan Majors. However, the reveal that long-awaited Marvel villain Doctor Doom would be the next overarching antagonist was an exciting one that surprised fans, made even more shocking with the announcement of his casting. At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Kevin Feige dramatically revealed the face behind the Doom mask, Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU as an all-new character was met with equal waves of excitement and controversy. While the return of the MCU's golden leading man is a tantalizing prospect for some, others see Downey Jr.'s return as a jumping-the-shark moment for Marvel, disrespecting his seamless outing as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame, not to mention the whitewashing of the canonically gypsy supervillain. Regardless of one's stance, the reveal of Robert Downey Jr. as Doom was easily the MCU's most shocking announcement of 2024.
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Henry Cavill appears as a variant of Wolverine
Deadpool and Wolverine
With the X-Men finally under the legal control of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, many casting discussions have revolved around the possible face of a new Wolverine. Deadpool and Wolverine brought back Hugh Jackman as a variant of his famous mutant hero for the first time in seven years, despite the perfect ending to his journey in 2017 Logan. However, the film's many multiversal jokes allowed the MCU to acknowledge at least a few popular X-Man recasts.
In a brief vignette, Deadpool meets a version of Wolverine played by Henry Cavill, a popular fan vote for a revamp of the character in the MCU. The moment is a fun one, with Deadpool acknowledging the rarity of a Wolverine variant not played by the Australian musical sensation. Suffice to say, few expected Henry Cavill's square jaw and steely eyes to appear onscreen for even a moment. Deadpool and Wolverine, and the British actor admittedly looks quite natural in Logan's mutton chops and bad attitude.
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Death is officially introduced into the MCU as a character
Agatha all the time
Entering the MCU release schedule right at the end of the year, Agatha all the time was a welcome surprise for many die-hard fans. Continuing where the character left off WandaVision, the series explored the story of Agatha Harkness while advancing her future in the franchise, expanding the lore of Marvel's supernatural side along the way. By far the biggest shock of the series was the revelation that Aubrey Plaza's Rio Vidal, seemingly a "normal" witch with ties to Agatha, was actually the Marvel universe's incarnation of Death himself.
Lady Death is a character from the Marvel Comics universe with a profound impact on history, with Thanos' love for the female entropic avatar being the motivation for her breakthrough in the original narrative. It's a shame the MCU only introduced Death later Avengers: Infinity Warbut she is at least well represented in Ágatha all the time. Death is very present in the series, with Lady Death herself being directly responsible for one of the most moving deaths in Ágatha all the time.
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The Netflix Defenders universe has become Canon
Echo
Launched at the beginning of the year, Echo was perhaps the least seen of the MCU's 2024 release list. Being a spin-off of a secondary character in Hawkeye, Echo was a more grounded story that chronicled Maya Lopez's transformative journey to become the titular superhero. Along the way, Marvel Studios released a surprising clarification about the state of Netflix Defenders continuity of the series within the MCU canon.
Although Charlie Cox's Daredevil and Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin appeared in the MCU before Echo, The fact that they returned to play the same characters didn't necessarily mean that everything that happened in their Netflix series was canon to the MCU. But Echo's dive into Wilson Fisk's psyche proved that, in fact, these appear to be the exact same characters from the Netflix continuity, with the same events applied to the MCU. This revelation had some profound implications for the future and past of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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Chris Evans returns to the MCU as Johnny Storm
Deadpool and Wolverine
Henry Cavill's Wolverine was far from the most shocking of Deadpool and Wolverinespecial appearances. Chris Evans' appearance in the MCU's Void was a surprising feature that left audiences (and Deadpool himself) excited to see Captain America in action at his peak once again, hoping for one of his catchphrases like "I could do this all day" or "Avengers, assemble!". But the film pulled the rug out from under the viewer's expectations when Evans sang "Light it up!", activating his powers as The Human Torch.
Chris Evans' appearance as his original Fox character Fantastic Four the film was a deep cut that no one could have expected Deadpool and Wolverine. It was nice of the film to acknowledge the previous Marvel films that laid the groundwork for the MCU, and not just Fox X-Men movies too. Evans' former pre-Captain America superhero is also used to great comedic effect with some wildly unexpected jokes.
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Chris Evans is confirmed to return in Avengers: Secret Wars
Avengers: Judgment Day
Speaking of Chris Evans, the actor has also made headlines recently due to his apparent continued return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chris Evans' Captain America had a beautiful and fitting exit from the MCU in Avengers: Endgame. Recent reports have confirmed that Evans will once again return to the series in Avengers: Endgame, which means the two former Marvel heroes don't appear to be done with the MCU.
This decision was a shocking addition to the already difficult-to-grasp concept that Robert Downey Jr. will also return. Chris Evan's role in the film has not yet been revealed, although a Steve Rogers variant seems to be the most likely working theory. The announcement further fueled controversy that the MCU is desperately trying to recapture the methods of its previous success with Avengers: Judgment Day, which will also be directed by the Russo brothers of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame fame.
4
Channing Tatum's Gambit finally appears on screen
Deadpool and Wolverine
Part of what made the many cameos from Deadpool and Wolverine Just as effective was the fact that they didn't just limit themselves to real characters from past Marvel films, with hypothetical casts that never ended up speaking out also making the cut. Channing Tatum's Gambit ended up being a fan favorite, with a comedic costume and Cajun accent that instantly made him endearing to casual and dedicated viewers alike. The card-slinging mutant was lucky enough to get some of the best jokes and action beats in the entire film.
Channing Tatum's solo film Gambit had been in development limbo for a long time before it ultimately fell through, despite Tatum's clear enthusiasm for the project. See him in action at Deadpool and Wolverine, it's hard not to see the failed film as a painful missed opportunity. However, few could have expected Tatum to get the chance to play Gambit on the big screen, let alone in a film as popular as Deadpool and Wolverine.
3
Gambit sacrifices himself to save Genosha
X-Men '97
Between Deadpool and Wolverine and X-Men '97, 2024 was an oddly big year for Gambit. The animated reprise of the classic 90s cartoon, X-Men '97 It may not technically be part of the main MCU timeline, but it still qualifies as a release of the year under Marvel's red banner. The first season featured some brilliant moments, but the most shocking was easily Gambit's death in episode 5. Remember this.
Here, Gambit springs into action when a massive Sentinel robot wreaks havoc on the peaceful mutant island nation of Genosha. Although he is impaled by the machine's automated defense systems, Gambit is able to spectacularly charge the entire robot with his mutant power, eliminating it along with him in a massive explosion. Few expected a death as dramatic or visceral as Gambit's in X-Men '97, making it one of Marvel's biggest moments of 2024.
2
Wesley Snipes mocks the movie Failed Blade
Deadpool and Wolverine
As the first R-rated film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool and Wolverine was able to be much more audacious with its jokes than any other film in the franchise. This included some jokes at the expense of the series itself, with Deadpool himself admitting that he was coming into the story "at a bit of a low point." However, one of the most cutting barbs came from none other than Wesley Snipes' Blade, who makes a surprise appearance midway through the film.
Snipes' Blade Shockingly Mocks MCU's Planned Production Issues Blade film, which has since been delayed indefinitely. Snipes states "There will only be one Blade!" as Deadpool stares blankly into the camera, making an unexpectedly cruel joke at the expense of one of the MCU's worst flops in recent years. Even for a film series as crude as Dead Pool, few spectators could have expected such a low blow.
1
Galactus is revealed to the Fantastic Four: first steps
San Diego Comic-Con
Doctor Doom wasn't the only major Fantastic Four villain announced for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2024. Although Doom will have an appearance in the highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: Getting StartedIt appears that the cosmic world-devouring supervillain Galactus will serve as the quartet's main antagonist throughout the film. This was revealed in a cheeky glimpse at the film at San Diego Comic-Con, which featured a snippet of Galactus in exclusive footage, not to mention his massive purple head appearing in a dazzling drone light show at the same event.
The last time Galactus appeared in a film was in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which, disappointingly, reduced him to an angry, sentient purple nebula that swirled menacingly above Earth's atmosphere. Fortunately, it appears that Marvel Studios is more committed to embracing the more fantastical nature of a massive humanoid Galactus. The revelation of the destructive space being was one of the hottest of 2024 within the scope of UCM.
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February 14, 2025
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July 25, 2025
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July 24, 2026
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