The biggest thing that makes being part of theMCUfandom so much fun is the constant engagement with the latest movie, Disney+ series, or special. There’s an entire community online where you’re able to make new friends, theorize, and discuss the state of the franchise in a way that can often make the anticipation palpable. Of course, this can either create a healthy conversation between fans or a heated argument; either way, it’s what makes it so special.
Considering how gigantic the MCU franchise has become, and how it continues to inspire new fans (despite what some critics have saidabout “superhero fatigue”), it’s no wonder that the fandom continuously theorizes what will happen next. It’s been happening since the early days of the MCU, and will continue until it ends. Let’s take a look at popular Reddit theories that were believed to be true at some point, before they were proved completely wrong.
11Soul Stone Theories
Before we were aware of allthe Infinity Stones' powers and whereabouts, the debates online were constantly heated, especially the ones about the Soul Stone. For a long time, people thought that the Stone was somehow associated with Heimdall because of the color of his eyes and the fact he could see all nine realms. Other fans believed that the Stone was located in Wakanda and was responsible for creating the Heart-Shaped Herb. It was also believed the Soul made Vibranium. The Quantum Realm and Janet Van Dyne were involved as well, as it was rumored to have been fueling her tech and keeping her alive. Of course, as it turned out, it was being held by Floaty Red Skull on a distant planet.
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10Wolverine and Thanos
One of the popular theories stated that we would see aThanos vs. Wolverinematch-up in eitherInfinity WarorEndgame.All it took was for Thanos to have three unexplained, parallel scratches on his face. It was believed that Logan would be strong enough to swing at Thanos and actually scar him. Marvel Comics fans are very well aware that Thanos actually makes an example of Wolverine by turning the hero’s bones from impenetrable adamantium into rubber. Sadly, we didn’t get to see any fight between the two.
9The Vulture as Hydra’s Minion
BeforeSpider-Man: Homecomingcame out and introduced us to one of thebest villains, The Vulture, there were some speculations about the character. One theory said that the Vulture was Sam Wilson’s partner in the Air Force, but was shot down during one of their missions. He was then recruited and brainwashed by the remaining minions of Hydra and was given a new wingsuit that would eventually make him the Vulture. Making Vulture part of the Air Force doesn’t sound too bad for a backstory, but we can all agree that the simpler version of his story turned out to be perfectly crafted and well-thought.
8The Iron Man Left Arm Theory
Every Marvel fan has probably heard about the Iron Man Left Arm Theory by now. Throughout the MCU, fromIron MantoAvengers: Endgame, we see Tony’s left arm get injured over and over again. It was one of many MCU’s Easter Eggs that was constantly pointed out. It led people to think he would snap with his left hand. Although the snapping theory was correct, Tony ended up using his right hand. Many then continued to say he snapped with his right, because he had hurt his left too much. Either way, Tony’s left arm issues are one of the best kept pieces of continuity, so it would have made a lot of sense for him to snap on that side.
7Loki’s Scepter Not Holding an Infinity Stone
All the people who strongly believed that Loki’s Scepter contained one of the Infinity Stones were constantly getting down-voted on Reddit. Because the Avengers were saying that his Scepter is powered by the Tesseract, no one believed it was actually the Mind Stone. Due to Thanos giving Loki one of the Infinity Stones, people were reluctant to believe he’d give away something he was collecting so easily. But, as it turned out, people’s beliefs were entirely wrong.
6Aerospace Engineer in WandaVision
Although director Matt Shakman said he actually didn’t even think about thisWandaVisionline as coming off as a tease, the clues about an aerospace engineer appearing in the series were discussed left and right. Some people thought it was going to be Reed Richards; others thought it would be Rhodey — there were even people who thought it would be Fitzsimmons fromAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. While the episodes were airing, the directors were getting frustrated with the theories, because he knew the scenes with the Hex were going to disappoint a lot of people. The engineer eventually turned out to be Major Goodner, a character played by Rachel Thompson.
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5Adam Warlock
The MCU fandom have been expectingAdam Warlock’s appearancein the movies for as long as we can remember. Although we’re finally getting the character played by Will Poulter in the upcomingGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, there were a few theories concerning his character before. It was believed the Sovereign had the Soul Stone, and they were creating Adam Warlock with it. Many find it unbelievable that the Infinity Gauntlet was adapted without him, as he’s essential to the item and the Stones in the comics. It is said that Warlock’s character won’t be a good guy or bad guy, and we can’t wait what they have in store with him.
Everyone’s been impatiently waiting for someone to turn out to be the demon character Mephisto. During peak COVID, people were so desperate and bored that they thought up a theory of the dog inWandaVisionbeing Mephisto. Others thought Agnes was using Wanda to summon the Ancient Evil. Many believed the character would be introduced in theLokiseries. Even Madisynn fromShe-Hulkis believed by some to have made adeal with Mephisto. At this point, people are having fun with it, and we honestly can’t blame them.
3Agent Coulson is Vision
Yes, some even believed that Coulson was, in fact, Vision. They are both robots that have been brought back from the dead now, taking into considerationAgents of S.H.I.E.L.Dand the White Vision. Although fans weren’t set on the theory, they weren’t ready to rule it out completely, too. But, after the release of bothAgents of S.H.I.E.L.DandWandaVision, it became clear that it’s probably not the case after all.
2Hela as Lady Death
At some point, there was a theory that Hela — Loki’s and Thor’s long-lost sister — would be stand-in for Lady Death. She is a character appearing in the comics as a cosmic entity based on the personification of death. She is essentially the Grim Reaper, an abstract idea of death itself. As for Hela, she’s not an idea, she is a goddess. She has a realm of dead people that she lords over, but she does not represent death.
