10 Best Ways The MCU Has Already Set Up Avengers 6

Split image of Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange in the MCU

There are a number of ways in which the Marvel Cinematic Universe has already set up the events of Avengers: Secret Wars. The movies of the MCU weave an interconnected narrative that has created one of the most successful franchises of all time. With the Multiverse Saga having been announced as ending with the sixth Avengers movie, Avengers: Secret Wars, the MCU’s second big narrative arc is set to come to an epic conclusion.

The Secret Wars story in the comics offers some indication of what can be expected from the MCU’s adaptation, and the franchise itself is already preparing for the cinematic event. There are a number of interesting and exciting ways in which the movie timeline of the MCU has already set up Secret Wars, including introducing specific relevant characters and narrative beats that will likely have a bearing on the story. With that in mind, here are the 10 best ways the MCU has already set up Avengers 6.

Establishing The Danger Of Incursions

Incursions Are Part Of Secret Wars’ Comic Book Story

Multiversal Spidey villains in Spider-Man No Way Home's ending incursion rift

Doctor Strange watching an incursion happen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Though it might not be the most obvious setup for Avengers: Secret Wars, the MCU has already established a vital narrative element that could play a part in the movie’s story. Incursions have been a recurring feature of the movies of the Multiverse Saga, and they play a major part in the Secret Wars arc in the comics. Incursions were first introduced in Spider-Man: No Way Home, though they then played a much larger part in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’s ending.

In the comics, incursions led to the destruction of the Multiverse, and Doctor Doom creating Battleworld, which is where Secret Wars takes place. As the MCU has already established just how dangerous the Multiversal phenomena can be, it’s possible that they might play a key part in setting up Secret Wars’ story. It would appear that incursions will almost certainly play a role in Avengers 6, even if it’s not clear exactly in which capacity.

Showing Hulk As A Mentor

Hulk Could Be A Leader In Avengers 6

Smart Hulk watching She-Hulk throw a boulder in She-Hulk Attorney at Law

Though the Hulk’s MCU story might have wasted some of the character’s potential, he is still one of the most exciting and beloved characters in the franchise. As one of the few remaining founding Avengers, Hulk has undergone a huge transformation since his introduction. One of the more recent developments has seen Hulk become something of a mentor to newer heroes, and it sets up his Secret Wars story in an interesting way.

Positioning Hulk as a mentor character is an interesting development, as it indicates a few possibilities. It could be that Hulk begins to step down as a major Avenger, pᴀssing the torch to She-Hulk or possibly even his son, Skaar. It may also be that Hulk is set to act as a leader for the Avengers in Secret Wars, as his appearances in the recent movies and TV shows of the MCU have given him a more authoritative role.

Hawkeye Training His Replacement

Hawkeye’s MCU Story Could Be Nearing Its End

Hawkeye and Kate Bishop aiming their arrows in Hawkeye

Hawkeye might not have been given the most prominent role in the MCU, but he remains one of the few surviving founding Avengers, and continues to play a part in the franchise’s story. His first solo story came in Hawkeye, which saw him take on an apprentice of sorts. Though Kate Bishop is commonly seen as his sidekick in the comics, the TV series angled her as Hawkeye’s replacement.

Having Hawkeye train a younger archer who may be destined to take his place sets up his story for Secret Wars. With Kate Bishop now established, it’s possible that Secret Wars will see Clint Barton retire or die, and the torch to be pᴀssed to the young archer instead. Considering the way in which Hawkeye’s story has been heading, it seems the most likely outcome, and sets up a potentially emotional conclusion to the Multiverse Saga.

The Introduction Of The Illuminati

The Illumanti Could Play A Major Part In Secret Wars

Reed Richards in the Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduced the Illuminati to the MCU, albeit in a rather disappointing fashion. The team appeared on Earth-838, and was made up of that universe’s most powerful and influential heroes. However, Doctor Strange 2’s Earth-838 Illuminati was unceremoniously slaughtered by the Scarlet Witch, prompting questions about whether their Earth-616 counterparts will surface ahead of – or during – Secret Wars.

In the comics, the Illuminati played a part in multiple Secret Wars storylines, so their connection to the MCU’s adaptation could come from several angles. As many of the members of the comics’ Illuminati have already been introduced in the MCU, it’s entirely possible that Secret Wars will see the group form in some sense or another. Exactly what role the Illuminati could play remains to be seen, but their introduction in Multiverse of Madness opens the door to a different incarnation of the team making an appearance.

The Fantastic Four’s Debut

The Fantastic Four Are Prominent In Secret Wars’ Story

Concept art for The Fantastic Four First Steps

One of the MCU’s most anticipated releases in Fantastic Four: First Steps, which will finally see Marvel’s First Family appear in the franchise. The movie is set to introduce the MCU’s Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, and their impending arrival also sets up their inclusion in Secret Wars. As the Fantastic Four are often considered some of the most important characters in the Marvel Universe, they will undoubtedly play a part in Secret Wars.

In the comics, the team has been a major part of multiple different Secret Wars stories, with Reed Richards in particular proving an important figure in the narrative. The fact that they are set to arrive in the MCU ahead of Secret Wars makes their inclusion an apparent certainty, though the details are as yet unclear. Even so, the arrival of the Fantastic Four alone is enough to help set up Secret Wars, as they’ll undoubtedly appear in Avengers 6.

Announcing Robert Downey Jr.’s Return

Doctor Doom’s Arrival Sets Up His Role In Secret Wars

Robert Downey Jr. revealing himself to be Doctor Doom at SDCC

The announcement that Robert Downey Jr. would be rejoining the MCU in the new role of Doctor Doom was divisive, and not the least bit controversial. Even so, his casting in the role sets up a Secret Wars story in a very specific way that potentially teases one of the movie’s narrative angles for the villain. As the actor has prominently played one of the MCU’s major heroes in the past, it’s plausible to ᴀssume that his Doom will be from another reality.

This sets up Doom’s role in Secret Wars more than if it had been a different actor, because it increases the likelihood of a Multiversal incursion regarding his appearance in the MCU’s main timeline. The fact that it’s Doom and a Multiverse story all but confirms his part in Secret Wars, as the villain was the main antagonist of a specific Secret Wars arc in the comics. Whether it will be a completely faithful adaption of that specific comic book arc isn’t clear, but Doom’s role in the movie is seemingly beyond question.

The Marvels’ Reality-Hopping Ending

Monica Rambeau Being In An X-Men Universe Is Important

The MCU’s Multiverse Saga has seen many surprising cameos occur, but few were as unexpected as The Marvels’ post-credits scene. The scene shows Monica Rambeau waking up in another reality, only to come face to face with a variant of her mother, and Kelsey Grammer’s Beast. Having an MCU character stranded in another universe is a plot thread that the Multiverse Saga will need to address, but the appearance of Beast also sets up a potential Secret Wars angle.

In the comics, the X-Men are one faction that appear in Secret Wars. If Monica Rambeau is indeed in a universe populated by X-Men, this would explain how they can feature in Avengers 6 without having been formally introduced into the MCU. Doing so would resolve Monica’s fate, as well as allow for a comic-accurate X-Men appearance in the movie, potentially setting up an exciting aspect of the upcoming Avengers movie.

No Way Home’s Three Spider-Men Crossover

Multiple Iterations Of A Hero Appearing Alongside Each Other Directly Teases Secret Wars

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Many characters returned for Spider-Man: No Way Home from across Spider-Man’s movie timeline, with all three live-action Spider-Men from recent movies appearing alongside one another. As well as an excellent moment of fan service that offered both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield another chance to play the hero, it also paved the way for Secret Wars. Seeing three Multiversal variants of the same character in a single movie was the first indication of what can be expected from Secret Wars.

In Secret Wars, characters from across the Multiverse are brought to one location in order to fight. No Way Home’s three Spider-Men have already laid the groundwork for what might seem a complex narrative by establishing basic rules of interaction between variants. Other movies have since explored the matter further, but No Way Home’s Spider-Men still serve as an example of how it can be done in a way that earns the favor of fans.

Establishing A New Community Of Heroes

Having Disconnected Heroes Interact Establishes A New Avengers Framework
The scene establishes that there is still a sense of community and connectivity among the heroes of the MCU. Though the Avengers appear to have been thoroughly disbanded, the MCU’s heroes still speak with one another and offer advice and consultation, even with those who made their debuts after Endgame. The scene shows an element of togetherness between the MCU’s heroes that will easily translate to the formation of a new team ready for the events of Secret Wars.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine’s Multiversal Cameos

The Multiverse’s Potential In Secret Wars Has Been Set Up

The most obvious way in which the MCU has set up Avengers: Secret Wars came in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine. In many senses, the third ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool movie seemed to establish a framework that Secret Wars will likely follow. It features characters and locations from multiple Marvel universes all appearing in one place, and a team of variants from different realities banding together to fight against other variants.

It’s not difficult to see how this directly translates to Secret Wars, as it touched on a number of the same beats. The fact that ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine was able to so successfully bring back older iterations of movie heroes and blend multiple timelines and universes together bodes incredibly well for the upcoming Avengers movie. In fact, the success of ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine’s variants is perhaps the most encouraging piece of set-up yet for Avengers: Secret Wars in the MCU.