15 loopholes in the MCU that nobody seems to address

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has reshaped the modern concept of cinema. The universe it created has made the fans indulge in its heroic and villainous characters and spectacular battles. Nevertheless, even the best storytelling has some inconsistencies and minor details that go unnoticed. And the MCU has those moments across many films where the fans ask themselves questions about those moments. From abandoned plot points to confusing character arcs, here are 15 major MCU loopholes still yet to be addressed despite how seemingly unstoppable the franchise is.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.

1. Lackluster Villains

The MCU has given us some great villains, such as Thanos and Loki, but most of the villains in the MCU are a letdown. From Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy to Malekith in Thor: The Dark World, many of them lack compelling backstories or motivations. They mostly act as obstacles for heroes rather than nuanced characters. This pattern has been raising concerns about Marvel's "villain problem," where the focus is disproportionately on heroes. Where the trend was bucked by Killmonger from Black Panther, many fans are still cheated out of what could have been richer storytelling coming from the bad guys.

2. The Forgotten Hulk Movie

The Incredible Hulk, the 2008 film from Marvel, starring Edward Norton, seems to be the outcast of the MCU. While it is technically the second movie in the series, it's rarely mentioned in later films except for Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner and a cameo from William Hurt's General Ross. Even major plot points, like Hulk's fight with the Abomination, are glossed over. Fans can't help but wonder why this movie was sidestepped. With Tim Roth reprising his role as Abomination in She-Hulk, Marvel appears to be slowly revisiting this forgotten chapter but long-term neglect remains a glaring inconsistency.

3. Weak Female Representation

Despite the success of the MCU, female representation has been woefully behind. For years, Black Widow was the only prominent female Avenger, and her solo film came far later than her male counterparts. Characters like Pepper Potts, Maria Hill, and Jane Foster were relegated to supporting roles. Even though Captain Marvel and Black Widow marked progress, many still view the franchise's earlier phases as a missed opportunity for meaningful inclusion. Marvel is certainly improving on diversity, what with She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel. These, however, can't compensate for the years spent on the sidelines with the female characters of the comic book.

4. The Arc Reactor’s Logic Gap

Tony Stark's arc reactor is a technological wonder, but its mechanics do not always add up. Initially, it is crucial to keep shrapnel away from his heart, but by the time Iron Man 3 rolls around, it has simply become a power source. Stark has the shrapnel surgically removed by this point, making the reactor unnecessary—but he continues to use it. Furthermore, why didn't Stark's incredible technology revolutionize medicine or energy globally? The MCU doesn't explore how the reactor could have reshaped the world beyond Stark's personal ventures, which left a gaping logic hole.

5. Thor’s Bifrost-Free Travel

In Thor (2011), destroying the Bifrost Bridge seems cataclysmic, as it is Thor's primary way of traveling between realms. Yet in The Avengers and beyond, Thor travels across the universe with the ease of going to the corner store, even without the bridge. The lack of explanation nullifies the importance of the Bifrost's destruction. Was Odin's magic involved? Did Thor master new ways of travel? Fans have speculated, but MCU provides no definitive answer. It felt like a narrative shortcut, glossing over a problem that was developed to be important.

6. Selective Avengers Assemblies

Why aren't all Avengers answering every catastrophe? Movies like Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World show the world is about to end, but no other Avengers come. While standalone movies are going to focus on their lead, it is in-universe illogical as to why heroes wouldn't answer when a disaster occurs. For instance, where was Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: Homecoming? Or why didn't the Avengers come together to fight Hela in Thor: Ragnarok? Marvel's selective team-ups often favor convenience over realism, leaving fans scratching their heads.

7. Inconsistent Superpowers

One of the most persistent problems in the MCU is its uneven depiction of superpowers. It can smash through alien ships with relative ease in The Avengers, while it struggles to break through the Hulkbuster armor constructed by Tony Stark in Age of Ultron. Similarly, Spider-Man's strength ranges from holding an entire ferry together in Homecoming to barely managing to escape normal rubble in No Way Home. Those contradictions are often served by plot convenience but take the immersion away from them.

8. Civil War Was an Avengers Movie in Disguise

While technically a Captain America film, Civil War feels like an all-out Avengers movie. From the debut of Spider-Man to Black Panther's origin story, a gargantuan ensemble cast throws Steve Rogers and his arc out the window in favor of an all-Avengers free-for-all on the battlefield of unresolved conflicts among its members. This watered down the stakes of the personal drama in this story, where Captain America's entire arc is only a subplot amidst the greater struggle. While Civil War is undoubtedly fun, its identity as a Captain America film feels like a misstep in Marvel's otherwise tight storytelling.

9. Vision’s Wasted Potential

Introduced in Age of Ultron, Vision had the potential to be one of the most interesting MCU characters. An Infinity Stone implanted in his forehead seemed to give him unmatched power, yet he is constantly placed on the backburner of battles. Even by Infinity War, Vision can be easily overpowered by Thanos' minions. Fans were frustrated at how easily his character was written off. While WandaVision delved into his emotional depth, Vision's role in the larger MCU feels like a wasted opportunity for more dynamic storytelling.

10. Scarlet Witch’s Sudden Personality Shift

Scarlet Witch transforms significantly from her introduction in the Age of Ultron to the later films. From the beginning, she was a vengeful, grieving character with a thick Sokovian accent. Both the personality and accent disappear over time. At the time of Infinity War, she feels almost like an Americanized superhero with very little given for the progression. It is something WandaVision has to avoid and does not address it. Fans appreciate her development but remain puzzled by the lack of consistency in her character's portrayal over time.

11. Thor’s Knowledge of the Power Stone

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor is somehow knowledgeable about the Infinity Stones, including the Power Stone. Yet he was never there when the Guardians of the Galaxy found it. The movie doesn't explain how Thor gained all this knowledge. This leaves a huge continuity hole because Thor's sudden expertise seems like a shortcut in the story to make things move along. It leaves a noticeable gap since fans speculate about Odin's influence or ancient Asgardian lore, yet there is no explicit answer to this.

12. The Mishandling of Quicksilver

Quicksilver's death, in Age of Ultron, is one of the most highly debated moments ever in the MCU. Being the super-speedster that he was, his murder by bullets seemed quite bizarre, especially having seen how his ability is portrayed in Marvel's movies on X-Men. Fans continue to argue he was underdeveloped, coming from a relatively rich history as a comic character. Now that the multiverse is on the table, Marvel gets another chance to explore Quicksilver, but mishandling him in Age of Ultron is a sore spot for many viewers.

13. Heroes Who Are Invincible

The reoccurrence in the MCU is that of heroes being invincible. The survival of characters, including Spider-Man and Captain America, during scenarios that should have them grievously injured or dead occurs here. Captain America would walk out from a catastrophic fall with minor damages, while Spider-Man would get hit by some giant enemy without any real damage. Though this is part of the superhero genre, the lack of stakes could also lower tension. Fans want grounded storytelling that doesn't rely on invincibility as a crutch.

14. The Tangled Timeline in MCU

The MCU timeline is often a puzzle that doesn't quite fit together. From Spider-Man's misdated school trips to the inconsistent passage of time in Endgame, the franchise just can't keep its chronology straight. Marvel's own official timeline cannot fill in certain gaps, such as how characters age (or don't age) across films. The release of Disney+'s Loki didn't help clarify things, either, introducing multiple timelines within the multiverse that leave fans even more confused. It's high time for a clear, cohesive timeline.

15. Convenient Sokovia Accords

The Sokovia Accords were a game-changer in the Civil War, forcing the Avengers to face accountability and splitting the team. However, after that film, they just disappear without explanation. In Infinity War and Endgame, the Avengers work freely, and there is no mention of the Accords or what happened to them. Did they get repealed after the Snap, or were they just ignored? Such neglect in follow-ups diminishes the significance of conflicts in the Civil War and leaves such an important loose thread open to untold potential hero oversight within the universe of the MCU.