Marvel needs to take notes from the MCU’s early success if they want to fix the Multiverse Saga’s major trilogy problem. Most of the time, the best MCU trilogies have had elements that set up future events. However, compared to the Infinity Saga, the Multiverse Saga has very few trilogy endings that work as connective tissue for the MCU.

Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania didn’t set up Avengers 5 as much as it should’ve, even before the studio pivoted from Kang. The third Guardians movie ended with a new team that we may not see for some time, and Spider-Man: No Way Home sets up a future for the hero that’s somewhat separate from the MCU, partially due to the complex nature of the situation with Sony.

The MCU’s Recent Trilogies Haven’t Connected The Franchise Like The Previous Ones Did

Past MCU trilogies have done a great job of connecting the franchise, unlike the recent trilogies of the Multiverse Saga. Many trilogy endings were used to set up a big Avengers film, which was why characters felt so properly integrated into the universe. Building up their individual development through a trilogy allows the characters to play a bigger role in the overall MCU.

Iron Man was the first character to have a complete trilogy in the MCU. It’s not a completely obvious tie, but Tony’s new approach to the superhero life at the end of Iron Man 3 somewhat shapes his eventual mentor relationship to Peter Parker. Spider-Man then coincidentally debuts in a trilogy closer, Captain America: Civil War.

The conflict of Civil War had major ramifications on the Avengers, and it’s why they are so fractured in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. There are even instances where a trilogy directly leads into another film, such as the ending scene of Thor: Ragnarok. The film ended with the remaining Asgardians being intercepted by Thanos, and the ramifications are shown in the opening moments of Infinity War.

How The MCU Can Fix This Trilogy Problem

There are a few franchises in the MCU on track for a trilogy in the near future. Doctor Strange and Captain Marvel both have two solo films, and the studio will likely want to close out their respective arcs with a full trilogy. These films will be Marvel’s chance to show that they still know how to close out a trilogy well.

Especially with how badly The Marvels did at the box office, an explosive third film could be how the character gets back on track. The Marvels actually ended with something substantial to the larger franchise as it teased the X-Men. The third Captain Marvel film should continue this trend by connecting pieces of the larger MCU.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness didn’t directly lead to another film, but it did heavily introduce the concept of the multiverse that is so integral to the current era. Considering that Doctor Strange is now a veteran Avenger, he is the right character to task with setting up the future MCU after the Multiverse Saga concludes.