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With a universe as vast and as large in scale as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, some storylines are bound to take priority over others. After all, one of the appeals of the movies and shows is what each writer and director brings to the table in the grand overarching narrative, and because of that, plot points are constantly in motion and changing.
And then, sometimes, they are completely abandoned or seemingly forgotten about despite prior setup, which can be frustrating to long-time fans who want to see these storylines reach resolutions. And while Marvel has been known to tap into obscure and unexpected areas for emotional depth (Avengers: EndgamereferencingThor: The Dark Worldheavily was one such instance), there are numerous instances where the franchise dropped storylines completely.
Updated on July 06, 2025, by David Caballero:
The upcoming release ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3(premiering on May 5) has Marvel fans excited to see their favorite a-holes in one last ride across the MCU’s cosmos. The film includes the arrival of Adam Warlock, a character often teased but not seen until now, to the point many fans thought the MCU had forgotten about him. Alas, that’s not the case, but that doesn’t mean the MCU is not guilty of introducing several storylines that they later unceremoniously drop without revisiting or ending them with a satisfying pay-off.
13Where Was Nick Fury?
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)
WhileCaptain America: The Winter Soldieris among the most impactful films in the MCU, one of its most significant elements seems to have been forgotten –Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. While he was seen as KIA for most of the movie, the third act reveals that he has simply gone into hiding due to HYDRA’s infiltration of SHIELD.
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This seems to be a great hook for the character, but his next appearance a year later inAvengers: Age of Ultronseemingly renders this moot, as he returns almost immediately. It’s possible that the upcomingSecret Invasioncould touch on this, but considering the series has bigger priorities on its mind, it’s likely this plot point was just thrown aside.
12What Was the Deal with Thor’s Vision?
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015)
Thor’s vision, a major subplot inAge of Ultron, was meant to set upThor: Ragnarok; however, likely due to reorganization at Marvel, the sequence was abandoned in favor ofTaika Wiatiti’s wacky approach. After the shake-up, all that was left were a bunch of storyline ideas barely referenced before disappearing.
This is especially evident in his initial search for the Infinity Stones, which outside a brief mention inRagnarok,was never followed up on. And while Thor’s journey inRagnarokwas a massive improvement from his prior solo efforts, it’s a shame that the juicy setup was never followed up on.
11Where is Ghost?
‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ (2019)
One of the more recent unresolved cliffhangers involvesGhost(Hannah John-Kamen), the main antagonist ofAnt-Man and the Wasp. Introduced as a shady assassin, Ghost revealed herself as a more sympathetic character than expected for Marvel and even got redeemed by the film’s end.
Ghost escapes during the film’s third act, leaving the door open for her possible return. While she is confirmed to be starring inThunderbolts, it’s unknown whether the film will continue her story or simply feature her further down the line.
10What Happened Between Betty and Bruce?
‘The Incredible Hulk’ (2008)
Due to bizarre licensing issues and lackluster financial results,The Incredible Hulktook quite a while to even be remembered in the MCU outside some brief references here and there. Phase 4 has done some solid work with the reintroduction of Emil Blonksy(Tim Roth) inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and the upcomingCaptain America: New World Orderplans to bring back Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) significantly as the lead antagonist.
But one aspect seems to have been completely forgotten: the romance between Betty Ross and Bruce Banner. The storyline was the emotional crux of the 2008 film but has never been referenced since. However, Ross will return inthe upcomingCaptain America: New World Order, meaning this infamously unfinished storyline can finally have a resolution.
9What Happened to Justin Hammer’s Revenge?
‘Iron Man 2’ (2010)
While he played second fiddle to Ivan Vanko(Mickey Rourke) for most of the third act, Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) was arguably the true antagonist for much ofIron Man 2. Serving as a dark reflection of Tony Stark(Robert Downey Jr.), Hammer was a welcome comedic distraction from the more serious emotional baggage the film saddled Tony with.
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At the end of the film, prior to Vanko’s confrontation with Tony and Rhodey (Don Cheadle), Hammer is arrested but vows revenge against Tony and Pepper(Gwyneth Paltrow). Since then, nothing. Outside a fun cameo appearance inAll Hail the King, Hammer has yet to reappear in the main story of the MCU.
8Where is Scorpion?
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
At the end ofSpider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) is confronted by criminal Mac Gargan(Michael Mando). Arrested earlier in the movie, Gargan questions Toomes about a possible plan against Spider-Man(Tom Holland).
Gargan’s presence was clearly meant to set up his eventual turn as Scorpion – one ofSpider-Man’s most overlooked villains– and possibly a Sinister Six team-up. Alas, nothing has come of that since. And, as Holland’s take on the character has gone in a very different direction, this plot point has languished as one of the great unresolved teases of the MCU.
7What Happened to the Nova Corps?
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)
The Nova Corps played a large role inGuardians of the Galaxy. The organization introduced audiences to the MCU’s cosmic side while showcasing some stranger and unique things then-exclusive to the comics. They remained in the background in Phase 3 thanks toGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2referencing them several times, butAvengers: Infinity Wardealt with them in a big way… off-screen.
Indeed, the film opens with Thanos having already destroyed Xandar and the Nova Corps. And while this choice works as a great segue intoInfinity Waras a standalone movie, it does leave a massive gap for the MCU to fill.
6Where is White Vision?
‘WandaVision’ (2021)
White Vision is the result of SWORD’s attempt to recreate the Vision. However, the original Vision reboots White Vision and restores his memories of Wanda. The show ends with White Vision flying away from Westview and into the wilderness, presumably to make sense of his newfound clarity.
WandaVisionis the best andmost rewatchable Disney+ MCU show, but its treatment of White Vision was disappointing. Introducing him as a massive threat only to backtrack and have him become the new Vision was a shameless attempt to bring the character back after his heroic sacrifice inAvengers: Infinity War. More egregious was having him fly away without providing any explanation. Marvel has announced a Vision-centric series,Vision Quest,but there are no details about it, meaning White Vision’s status remains unclear.
5Mordo’s Fate
‘Doctor Strange’ (2016)
WhileDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessmanaged to follow upDoctor Strangebetter than expected, it came at the cost of disregarding the setup withChiwetel Ejiofor’s Karl Mordo. By the end of the first film, Mordo leaves Kamar-Taj due to becoming disillusioned with how the sorcerers are handling things, something he interprets as being “too many sorcerers” in one of the best post-credits scenes of the MCU.
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So when it’s casually revealed that Strange and Mordo have been fighting off-screen inMultiverse of Madness, fans couldn’t help but be disappointed. After all, Mordo is a great character and possible villain for his own movie, so dismissing him outright ranks as one of the MCU’s biggest blunders.
4What Happened to The Raft?
‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)
She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawfinally wrapped up the Sokovia Accords storyline by casually dismissing them. However, it’s a shame that The Raft, the high-security prison fromCaptain America: Civil War, has never been used since, despite a ton of story potential.
But outside of brief mentions inBlack WidowandThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, The Raft is pretty much MIA. This is especially disappointing, asShe-Hulkcould have used this opportunity to put Blonksy in The Raft and show the true purpose of it outside a cool location.
