What Loki (2021) Means For the Future of the MCU

Marvel’s Loki was a pretty ambitious show, giving the God of Mischief a chance to be a hero and simultaneously rewriting the history of the MCU. In fact, the events of Loki could have far-reaching consequences on the MCU, allowing for multiple realities, timelines and different versions of the same character (“variants”) to coexist, thus expanding the storytelling potential further.

In Endgame, the Avengers time-travelled to collect the Infinity Stones and defeat the space titan Thanos, one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy. By the first episode of Loki, those same powerful stones are being used as harmless paperweights by the employees at the Time Variance Authority (TVA)- a corporation that controls the Scared Timeline, and the proper flow of events. Those who step off their predetermined path are captured, and end up pruned or working for the TVA. By the end of the show, Sylvie (a Loki variant) has defeated He Who Remains and set free the Sacred Timeline, unleashing chaos everywhere.

This means that the events of the MCU are no longer set in stone, and can be rewritten and modified to suit the audience’s tastes. It means that we’ll be seeing more of our favorite characters and newer guys from the comics in different spin-offs, cameos, and mini-series. Just like Loki who originally died in the Sacred Timeline and got a second chance, other characters whose stories were hastily written or left incomplete can get their chance in the spotlight, paving a way for Black Widow and Iron Man to return, without rebooting the series.

It affects the other productions in Marvel’s Phase 4, most notably What If? that imagines alternate versions of key MCU events and definitely sets up Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Kang (or multiple versions of him) might become the new Big Bad, after Thanos. With the promise of more content and diversity, the showrunners can focus on newer storytelling possibilities and experimentation.

In short, the MCU leveled up, becoming grander and more ambitious, and fans are assured of a steady stream of content in the upcoming years. Like the Doctor’s TARDIS, the MCU is finally bigger on the inside.