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23 Storylines In The Marvel Cinematic Universe That Went Through Drastic Changes

Some interesting and wild concepts didn't make it to the final cut of the films.

23 Storylines In The Marvel Cinematic Universe That Went Through Drastic Changes

Marvel movies may feel seamless on screen, but a lot of the ideas behind them never make it to the final cut. From alternate villains to missing team-ups, the MCU has left behind plenty of wild storylines.

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Some of those changes came from timing, casting, or the need to keep the larger universe consistent. Others were simply too complicated, too long, or too risky for the finished film.

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Here are 23 MCU storylines that changed dramatically before audiences ever saw them.

Despite the fact that the number of MCU films has steadily increased in recent years, Marvel Studios still has to scrap a shocking number of subplots and concepts from all its movies.

Despite the fact that the number of MCU films has steadily increased in recent years, Marvel Studios still has to scrap a shocking number of subplots and concepts from all its movies.Marvel Studios / Disney+ / Via giphy.com
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Although removing some parts makes a lot of sense for the film, it still makes you wonder about the result if they had been kept.

Although removing some parts makes a lot of sense for the film, it still makes you wonder about the result if they had been kept.Marvel Studios / Via giphy.com
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1. Stephen Strange went from knowing the dangers of messing with things in the original Spider-Man: No Way Home to being a person who didn't know about the universe in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

1. Stephen Strange went from knowing the dangers of messing with things in the original Spider-Man: No Way Home to being a person who didn't know about the universe in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.Sony Pictures Entertainment / Via youtube.com

2. Following Aunt May's death, Peter Parker was supposed to be introduced to his two variants (the characters of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire) by a new character. Concept art indicates that it could have been multiverse traveler America Chavez.

2. Following Aunt May's death, Peter Parker was supposed to be introduced to his two variants (the characters of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire) by a new character. Concept art indicates that it could have been multiverse traveler America Chavez.Marvel Studios / Via youtube.com

3. In an early draft of the script, the antagonists raided a Department of Damage Control Stark tech container and used it to enhance themselves.

3. In an early draft of the script, the antagonists raided a Department of Damage Control Stark tech container and used it to enhance themselves.Sony Pictures Releasing / © Marvel Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection

4. Ezekiel Stane, Obadiah Stane's son, was written as a secondary antagonist in an early draft of The Avengers by director Joss Whedon because he felt Loki wouldn't be a strong enough antagonist.

4. Ezekiel Stane, Obadiah Stane's son, was written as a secondary antagonist in an early draft of The Avengers by director Joss Whedon because he felt Loki wouldn't be a strong enough antagonist.Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

5. Whedon wrote a number of pages starring the Wasp in place of Black Widow since he believed Scarlett Johansson wouldn't reprise her role.

5. Whedon wrote a number of pages starring the Wasp in place of Black Widow since he believed Scarlett Johansson wouldn't reprise her role.Null / ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

6. In the event that Joe and Anthony Russo were unable to secure Robert Downey Jr.'s participation in the third Captain America movie, they intended to concentrate on the 1976 Madbomb plot by Jack Kirby.

6. In the event that Joe and Anthony Russo were unable to secure Robert Downey Jr.'s participation in the third Captain America movie, they intended to concentrate on the 1976 Madbomb plot by Jack Kirby.Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

7. In an early draft of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Arnim Zola sought a compromise with Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff in which they would aid in their escape in exchange for Steve flipping a switch that would allow Arnim to upload Steve's preserved mind online.

7. In an early draft of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Arnim Zola sought a compromise with Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff in which they would aid in their escape in exchange for Steve flipping a switch that would allow Arnim to upload Steve's preserved mind online.Marvel Studios / Via Disney+

8. Clint Barton was originally intended to be among the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents assigned to find Steve Rogers in a different version of the plot, but he later admitted that he was actually fooling S.H.I.E.L.D. to aid in Steve's escape.

8. Clint Barton was originally intended to be among the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents assigned to find Steve Rogers in a different version of the plot, but he later admitted that he was actually fooling S.H.I.E.L.D. to aid in Steve's escape.Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

9. Carol Danvers, Jessica's closest friend in the comics, was originally going to appear in Jessica Jones on ABC, but Marvel Studios ultimately gave the character her own film after Ms. Marvel was changed to Captain Marvel.

9. Carol Danvers, Jessica's closest friend in the comics, was originally going to appear in Jessica Jones on ABC, but Marvel Studios ultimately gave the character her own film after Ms. Marvel was changed to Captain Marvel.Null / ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

10. More new Avengers, including Carol Danvers, were expected to be introduced towards the conclusion of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

10. More new Avengers, including Carol Danvers, were expected to be introduced towards the conclusion of Avengers: Age of Ultron.Marvel Studios / Via youtube.com

That setup could have changed the whole shape of the team.

And just like Oscars 2026’s every joke, pause, and slip-up that the internet judged instantly, MCU changes get weighed in real time.

Here's that deleted scene.

11. Spider-Man was another character Whedon planned to introduce, but Marvel Studios' agreement to use the Sony-owned character in their films wasn't confirmed until after Whedon had finished Age of Ultron.

11. Spider-Man was another character Whedon planned to introduce, but Marvel Studios' agreement to use the Sony-owned character in their films wasn't confirmed until after Whedon had finished Age of Ultron.Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

12. In early drafts of Thor: The Dark World, Thor defeated Malekith by simultaneously conjuring lightning from each of the nine realms.

12. In early drafts of Thor: The Dark World, Thor defeated Malekith by simultaneously conjuring lightning from each of the nine realms.Marvel Studios / Via Disney+

13. Early teasers suggested that Thor: Ragnarok would be among the "darkest" MCU movies yet. The initial plan for the film was to continue Thor's search for the Infinity Stones that he began in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

13. Early teasers suggested that Thor: Ragnarok would be among the "darkest" MCU movies yet. The initial plan for the film was to continue Thor's search for the Infinity Stones that he began in Avengers: Age of Ultron.Marvel Studios / Via Disney+

14. Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger was meant to survive and leave his empty iron suit behind when Jeff Bridges was cast in Iron Man.

14. Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger was meant to survive and leave his empty iron suit behind when Jeff Bridges was cast in Iron Man.Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

15. Mickey Rourke spoke with Theroux and Favreau in an effort to add depth to his character in Iron Man 2, rather than just portraying him as a bad guy filled with vengeance and murderous intent.

15. Mickey Rourke spoke with Theroux and Favreau in an effort to add depth to his character in Iron Man 2, rather than just portraying him as a bad guy filled with vengeance and murderous intent.Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

16. Maya Hansen was supposed to be the main villain, but this did not come to fruition because they believed they wouldn't be able to sell a female action figure of her.

16. Maya Hansen was supposed to be the main villain, but this did not come to fruition because they believed they wouldn't be able to sell a female action figure of her.Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

17. Peyton Reed, the director of Ant-Man, wanted Rick Moranis of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids to make a cameo appearance.

17. Peyton Reed, the director of Ant-Man, wanted Rick Moranis of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids to make a cameo appearance.Buena Vista Pictures / ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

18. The character Howard the Duck was located by Peter Quill in an early draft of Avengers: Infinity War, and he interrupted his poker game to gather information.

18. The character Howard the Duck was located by Peter Quill in an early draft of Avengers: Infinity War, and he interrupted his poker game to gather information.Marvel Studios / Via Disney+

19. The Midgard Serpent, related to the Ragnarok story in Norse mythology and the comic books, was depicted in some concept art as Thor and Rocket Raccoon preparing to fight the two enormous snakes.

19. The Midgard Serpent, related to the Ragnarok story in Norse mythology and the comic books, was depicted in some concept art as Thor and Rocket Raccoon preparing to fight the two enormous snakes.Marvel Studios / Via Disney+

20. Additional concept art for Avengers: Endgame suggested that the Frost Giants seen in Thor would make a comeback in the decisive fight.

20. Additional concept art for Avengers: Endgame suggested that the Frost Giants seen in Thor would make a comeback in the decisive fight.Marvel Studios / Via Disney+

21. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, scenes that would have provided more background on Razor Fist's recruitment to the Ten Rings were filmed.

However, they were all removed.

21. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, scenes that would have provided more background on Razor Fist's recruitment to the Ten Rings were filmed.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / © Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection

22. The finale of Eternals was initially planned to be depressing.

22. The finale of Eternals was initially planned to be depressing.Marvel Studios / Via Disney+

23. Eros was nearly a main character in Eternals.

However, without Harry Styles, he would not have appeared at all.

23. Eros was nearly a main character in Eternals.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / © Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection

Although it's disappointing that some storylines were cut, the studio has still done an amazing job with the films in the MCU. We can't wait to see what Marvel has in store for us now that they're in Phase 4!

The MCU still has plenty of alternate paths hiding in the background.

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