Published: Dishya Sharma
Last update: October 23, 2023 02:07 PM EST
How the Marvel Multiverse saga will unravel remains a mystery. (Image credit: Instagram)
The Marvel boss explains that using a small number of characters and storylines in a series or movie doesn’t give them a place in the MCU timeline.
The question of whether Marvel’s television series, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Daredevil, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Defenders, should be considered part of the cinematic The Marvel Universe (MCU) has long been a subject of debate among fans. After years of speculation, Marvel CEO Kevin Feige has finally addressed the issue and clarified which TV shows are considered part of the MCU and which are not. In the recently released book Marvel Studios: The Marvel Cinematic Universe – The Official Timeline, Feige explains that having a small number of characters and storylines in a TV series or film doesn’t give them a place in the MCU timeline. His statement hints that pre-WandaVision series starring Elizabeth Olsen may not be officially considered part of the MCU.
He explained: “With regards to the Multiverse, we recognize that there are stories, films and TV series that are canon to Marvel, but were created by different storytellers at different times in Marvel history. The timeline presented in this book is from the MCU’s Sacred Timeline up until Phase 4. But as we move forward and dive deeper into the Multiverse saga, you never know when the timelines might just collapse or come together.”
According to The Direct, the book “Marvel Studios: The Marvel Cinematic Universe – An Official Timeline” only includes series, covering all the MCU films and two specials: Werewolf by Night and Guardians of the Galaxy. Additionally, films produced by 20th Century Fox and Sony prior to their acquisition by Disney are excluded from the chronology.
Despite the clarification provided by Kevin Feige, fans can still expect some exciting crossovers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially during the current phase known as the “Multiverse Saga.” Interestingly, this crossover of worlds has already begun, as stars from the Netflix series Daredevil such as Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio have appeared in MCU projects such as She Hulk and Spider-Man: Far From Home. setting the stage for their upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again.
Meanwhile, Kevin’s decision to exclude some Marvel projects from the MCU timeline seems logical. By focusing on later projects, it allows the creators to maintain continuity and balance the main narrative more effectively. This approach helps simplify complex multiverse stories, ensuring that upcoming projects can proceed without references to past Netflix or CBS shows. For now, how the Multiverse saga will unravel remains a mystery until the release of Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.
