Despite the swirling speculation that Avengers: Secret Wars could serve as a reboot point for the MCU, Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation Brad Winderbaum has attempted to pour cold water on the idea. However, given the declining reception of the franchise in recent years, a reset may be exactly what Marvel needs to regain its footing.
The Thing and Herbie the Robot in Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
For years, audiences have speculated about when and how the MCU might reboot and shake things up, particularly following the box office dominance of the Infinity Saga. When Marvel announced Secret Wars, many assumed that the film would mirror its comic book counterpart, serving as a chance to reset continuity, reintroduce legacy characters, and chart a new course for the franchise. Rumors only intensified when scooper CanWeGetSomeToast claimed that Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige was planning to use the film as a send-off for not only the current MCU but also for the Marvel films predating Iron Man.
(L-R): Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Gilgamesh (Don Lee), Thena (Angelina Jolie), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Ajak (Salma Hayek), Sersi (Gemma Chan), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and Druig (Barry Keoghan) in Marvel Studios’ ETERNALS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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Further fueling the theory, another scooper suggested that the Secret Wars adaptation would draw from Marvel Comics’ 2014 publishing initiative, which saw major shifts in established heroes, including Sam Wilson taking on the mantle of Captain America, Jane Foster wielding Mjolnir as Thor, and the introduction of new characters like Riri Williams and Kamala Khan. Given that Marvel Studios has already introduced many of these elements, the idea of an upcoming reset has remained an intriguing possibility.
However, Winderbaum recently downplayed the likelihood of such a drastic overhaul. When asked about the idea of a full reboot during an interview with Screen Off Script, he dodged giving a definitive answer, instead offering a perspective on why reboots rarely last in the comic book industry.
Anthony Mackie behind the scenes of Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Photo by Eli Adé. © 2024 MARVEL.
“Every time there’s been a full reboot at Marvel or DC—it always feels like you can’t really fully reboot anything,” he said. “The classics always come back around. While this comment does not rule out major changes, it certainly suggests that Marvel may not be looking to start over from scratch.
But should they? The past several years have seen a sharp decline in audience enthusiasm for the MCU. Recent films have underperformed, critical reception has soured, and Marvel’s once-unshakable hold on the box office has been called into question. Phase 4 and Phase 5 have been plagued by underwhelming scripts, inconsistent character arcs, and a lack of clear direction. Disney’s handling of the brand has alienated longtime fans, and there is no indication that Secret Wars will course-correct unless drastic measures are taken.
(L-R) Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone) in Marvel Television’s AGATHA ALL ALONG, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 MARVEL.
Marvel has a chance to turn things around, but it may require more than just minor adjustments. A true soft reboot, one that allows the studio to trim unnecessary baggage, refocus on compelling storytelling, and restore audience goodwill, could be the best path forward. Whether or not Feige and his team recognize this remains to be seen, but given the current trajectory, ignoring the problem could prove even more damaging in the long run.
As it stands, Avengers: Secret Wars is set for release on May 7, 2027. Whether it marks the beginning of a new and improved MCU or continues the franchise’s downward spiral will depend on the decisions Marvel makes in the coming years.
Do you think we’re going to see an MCU reboot? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
