MCU/Superhero Discussion Thread

[Tarsonis]

I have an odd affection for Awkwafina.

Ive only seen her, well... heard her, in the Dark Crystal series so im not that familiar with her works myself.

I loved her in Crazy Rich Asians and Oceans 8. It's weird, like normally that personality type would annoy me but with her I enjoy it.

[Cannot think of a name]

Ive only seen her, well... heard her, in the Dark Crystal series so im not that familiar with her works myself.

I loved her in Crazy Rich Asians and Oceans 8. It's weird, like normally that personality type would annoy me but with her I enjoy it.

She's legit funny to me. I also tend not to like that kind of act but she's just funny. I liked Nora from the Bronx or whatever it was called. She did a really funny turn hosting SNL. I haven't seen Oceans 8. Or any of the Oceans films.

That trailer is good times. I'm amped for Shang Chi.

EDIT: Oh, hey, despite my snarky prediction that I don''t know if I made it here, the trailer not only did NOT include a fight in the dark rain but instead a big ol' set piece in a rare blue sky San Francisco day.

There is a training sequence in the snow, but it's a kung fu movie...

[Cannot think of a name]

And...

my dumb takes. Because...dunno.

- The new Captain America's new superpower, the filibuster.

- The obvious answer with Sharon Carter was the correct one, it was not a misdirect, it was a direct direct. With a bonus post credits heel turn. Iiiii just think she's pretty and after that exercise no good judgement. I watched Revenge, I didn't just hate it but I hate that whole genre. Anyway, cool, she'll be back.

- Isaiah's turn is about as best as could be expected. I like that he's a grumpy old super soldier he can go to for grumpy advice.

- Title change.

- In the weeds where no one cares: This started out before Far From Home but in all likelihood ended afterward. So like, whatever trouble Peter got up to with Mysterio and the multiverse I guess played it self out without bothering Sam. Though I guess after the 'new' Captain America was disgraced in about the time Far From Home would have happened I guess them going "Well, shit...are you going to lead the Avengers? Who's fucking left? Wanda went seriously apeshit, we hired a new Captain America after making Sam think we were gonna just retire it but then that dude flipped out...It's like, you or the Hulk, man."

- Almost wall to wall action. Stopping for a filibuster and some Lord of the Rings endings. Flying Captain America has a whole flair to its own. I dig it.

- So yeah, Val's doing the Nick Fury thing for the Dark Avengers or Thunderbolts. I'm guessing she recruits Taskmaster or Natasha's sister at the end of Black Widow.

-...And now we wait.

EdIT: also...

Aw, Torres didn't get his wings.

Or vampire healing.

That last one was never on the table, but yeah. Redwing is a vampire falcon. Kinda.

[Forsher]

There is a Post Credits Scene (well, after the fancy credits scene) for TFatWS's (grand?) finale.

This take on Sharon is... weird. The Power Broker was one thing but, heh, I guess she's the logical S2 villain now. Or, rather, the logical CAtWS villain, I guess.

I don't think this finished after FFH. I think this finished before FFH and the end decision made by the GRC is why Aunt May was doing a fundraiser for people displaced by the Blip.

I started this episode thinking there was one scene missing from Walker's characterisation. I now think there were two. And also he's an inverted Maximus... if you watched the Inhumans, what was meant to happen was that the audience initially sympathised with Maximus before seeing that he really was smarmy and manipulative and selfish. What happened, though, is that people acted as if finding Maximus to be likeable was just another thing that was wrong with the show.

With Walker people were ascribing all kinds of terrible things to him from the off even though there was nothing in the show that was cluing people in. Hating Walker was unitentional but they liked the show so you'd get some people arguing that it was. And I think the finale makes this really, really clear.

Comparisons/contrasts with Maximus aside, the end result is that rather than this tragic hero version of Walker, we get Maximus. And thus the show has this weird ending where Walker's really happy to be US Agent, which has no in universe significance at all. What we needed is a scene justifying the "you made me" rant from E5 and another scene showing that Walker wanted to be made into a figure like Captain America or, of course, US Agent. I suggest something like Eva Bell's speech from her original introduction in the comics... a school speech about Captain America, except, of course, Walker emphasises, as it were, all the wrong things. Or, maybe, some kind of character essay... and we get to see Sam's attitudes as a teenager as well.

People have also been really down on Karli. Maybe the character was a little underwritten in the sense that we were only ever told about why her allies followed her even as she walked a darker path, but I don't really think you need more from a terrorist character. That being said, if I was in charge and with the benefit of hindsight, I'd have probably have had Karli be introduced work with some charismatic politician who gets assassinated (or, at least, poisoned.. and combine this character with Mama Donya). This gives us a reason to see why Karli is so much more intense than everyone else and if "one world, one people" was a call back to this political figure, why it has such power over the others would be clearer. The way they used it in this episode was particularly egregious... it's pretty clear literally none of the other Flagsmashers agreed with Karli's interpretation, so why did they give her takes on everything the legitimacy they did?

(I know, I know, there are at least two conversations about this, plus that scene where we were introduced to the slogan, but The Dark Elves were fighting to end a universe that was poisoning them... great motive, but it's just words and as a result no-one remembers. Also, I suspect a lot of people may have seen dodgy streams of TDW without subtitles for the Elvish.)

In the end... I agree with my earlier verdict (don't think I wrote it down, so no quote)... TFatWS just does the concept it was advertised as being much more solidly than WandaVision, which abandoned its after three episodes. I also think, quibbles about Walker's missing scenes and Karli's underwriting aside, TFatWS does its character work a lot more crisply. As I have said, possibly not here, I don't know what Wanda's thinking at the end of WandaVision, all I can tell you is what she's doing. For a show that's ostensibly about Wanda's state of mind, that's a terrible place to end up.

[The Huskar Social Union]

His new suit looks fucking awesome in the show, i really really like it. Especially coupled with the shield.

I thought Walker was gona go batshit this episode and kill a few of the flag smashers but he didnt in the end and turned out to be quite mellow. I wonder if they are gona keep him in just the shows or if he might show up in some of the movies in the future.

Karli's dead. Eh didnt effect me too much. Zemo got the last laugh though with the others being taken out in a car bomb so gg to him

It was really cool to see Bradley get a place in the exhibit. I actually almost teared up at that scene lol. It was really touching.

[Andsed]

Man is still being the fucking GOAT. The suit looks great and Sam was all kinds of awesome this episode. The speech to the GRC senators was honestly the highlight of the episode. And his attempts to get through to Karli along with making sure people knew about Isaiah is just the icing on the cake for why he is a perfect successor to Steve.

Bucky was also pretty good this episode though I am miffed that scene with Yori was so short. I wanted to see the entire exchange not just a snippet. But it is nice to see that he is finally healing.

So Sharon is the power broker. Not a huge shock as a lot of people including me were predicting just that. We’re definitely going to see more of her in the future which is fine with me.

John is interesting. He’s was not a villain like I though he would after his murder of a flag smasher. But with that convo with Val it’s interesting to see where he is going to end up.

Also rip to Karli and other flag smashers. Zeemo did just get his last laugh it seems. Wonder if he will show up again.

[Kowani]

'Captain America 4' being prepared, with Malcolm Spellman (writer and creator of 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier') co-writing the script with Dalan Musson

[Tarsonis]

I gotta say, like everyone else I didn't like Walker at the beginning, but he might be one of the best parts of the season.

[Cannot think of a name]

I gotta say, like everyone else I didn't like Walker at the beginning, but he might be one of the best parts of the season.

He's still kind of a douche, he's just not a "oooo bogey bogey" douche. He's just what Eskine was worried about, not really creating another Red Skull but creating a super soldier out of someone who might not have the leash on that kind of power that would be required. It sort of underlines the contradictory edicts someone like him lives under.

I said this before, this show is three 'good guys' who just have different ideas of what the best thing to do is.

Well, except

Sharon. She clearly gives no fucks.

He should be an interesting part of the Dark Avengers or Thunderbolts...West Coast Avengers. The dude is coming back. Stoked that Sam's Captain America is also coming back in a movie. I could use two more hours of Sam flying around and winging that shield at people.

[Xmara]

Overall I think this was a solid season finale.

Sharon is the Powerbroker, which surprised no one. Wonder who she was calling in the mid-credits scene? Hopefully we get a season 2 and soon so we can find out.

Val still seems suspicious to me for some reason. Especially since she knows that Zemo was behind blowing up the remaining Flag Smashers.

Kinda felt bad for Karli when she died. Didn't sympathize with the whole "the ends justify the means, even if the means involve killing people" thing, but as she was dying, she kinda went from terrorist to frightened young girl.

That was really sweet that Sam was able to get Bradley an exhibit in the museum. I almost teared up. I also almost teared up when Bucky finally made amends with that guy whose son he killed. He finally completed his goal.

Seeing Sam as Captain America was awesome. It's gonna be great seeing him on the big screen in CA4. Also, I just want to point out how great it is to have an Uncle Sam be Captain America.

I don't completely hate Walker now. He kinda rubbed me the wrong way early on. I guess because he was trying to be Cap when he was never meant to be Cap in the first place. Still wondering what this whole "US Agent" business is about. Can anyone who has read the comics explain to me how that's significant?

[Cannot think of a name]

Overall I think this was a solid season finale.

Sharon is the Powerbroker, which surprised no one. Wonder who she was calling in the mid-credits scene? Hopefully we get a season 2 and soon so we can find out.

Val still seems suspicious to me for some reason. Especially since she knows that Zemo was behind blowing up the remaining Flag Smashers.

Kinda felt bad for Karli when she died. Didn't sympathize with the whole "the ends justify the means, even if the means involve killing people" thing, but as she was dying, she kinda went from terrorist to frightened young girl.

That was really sweet that Sam was able to get Bradley an exhibit in the museum. I almost teared up. I also almost teared up when Bucky finally made amends with that guy whose son he killed. He finally completed his goal.

Seeing Sam as Captain America was awesome. It's gonna be great seeing him on the big screen in CA4. Also, I just want to point out how great it is to have an Uncle Sam be Captain America.

I don't completely hate Walker now. He kinda rubbed me the wrong way early on. I guess because he was trying to be Cap when he was never meant to be Cap in the first place. Still wondering what this whole "US Agent" business is about. Can anyone who has read the comics explain to me how that's significant?

I'll spoiler it because I guess there are people who don't know that's coming.

US Agent is actually pretty similar. John Walker was tasked with replacing Steve Rogers but was too intense (essentially, it was a whole thing) and Cap had to take the shield back but Walker got weird about it and became US Agent. The difference is that in the comics he gets powers from the power broker long before, becoming Super Patriot. The Steve rage quits over being put under a specific authority and they talk Walker into it. But then some Red Skull shit happens blah blah and Walker actually talks Steve into taking the shield back.

He goes on to join the West Coast Avengers to keep an eye on Vision, so that's a possibility. He also joins the Dark Avengers and Thunderbolts, two things that people keep seeing coming up. His assholery is a little more amped up in the comics, kind of why were were primed to hating him already.

Basically Captain America does the right thing no matter what, while US Agent is more of the 'make the tough decisions' brand of hero.

[Tarsonis]

I gotta say, like everyone else I didn't like Walker at the beginning, but he might be one of the best parts of the season.

He's still kind of a douche, he's just not a "oooo bogey bogey" douche. He's just what Eskine was worried about, not really creating another Red Skull but creating a super soldier out of someone who might not have the leash on that kind of power that would be required. It sort of underlines the contradictory edicts someone like him lives under.

I said this before, this show is three 'good guys' who just have different ideas of what the best thing to do is.

Well, except

Sharon. She clearly gives no fucks.

He should be an interesting part of the Dark Avengers or Thunderbolts...West Coast Avengers. The dude is coming back. Stoked that Sam's Captain America is also coming back in a movie. I could use two more hours of Sam flying around and winging that shield at people.

I'm not saying I'm on team US. Agent. It's more his character arc, I think, was the done the best. I love where Sam and Bucky ended up, but parts of it came off as a little forced to me. Perhaps it's because it's two side characters now carrying a leading role but there were certain elements that I didn't think were earned fully in just 6 episodes. But every progression Walker took was pitch perfect.

[Cannot think of a name]

Another pantheon joins the MCU.

For the non-clicky types who haven't run across this news a dozen times already, Russel Crowe is playing Zues in Thor Love and Thunder.

'Cause if you don't have more gods, your god butcher is just an Asgardian serial killer.

It's a cameo that was meant to be a surprise, but it still opens the door for Hercules who has been a Marvel staple for a while including being on the Defenders I think when Ghost Rider was on it. Probably been an Avenger at some point. Yep, he was.

Anyway, interesting.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Another pantheon joins the MCU.

For the non-clicky types who haven't run across this news a dozen times already, Russel Crowe is playing Zues in Thor Love and Thunder.

'Cause if you don't have more gods, your god butcher is just an Asgardian serial killer.

It's a cameo that was meant to be a surprise, but it still opens the door for Hercules who has been a Marvel staple for a while including being on the Defenders I think when Ghost Rider was on it. Probably been an Avenger at some point. Yep, he was.

Anyway, interesting.

Cool.

[Kowani]

Another pantheon joins the MCU.

For the non-clicky types who haven't run across this news a dozen times already, Russel Crowe is playing Zues in Thor Love and Thunder.

'Cause if you don't have more gods, your god butcher is just an Asgardian serial killer.

It's a cameo that was meant to be a surprise, but it still opens the door for Hercules who has been a Marvel staple for a while including being on the Defenders I think when Ghost Rider was on it. Probably been an Avenger at some point. Yep, he was.

Anyway, interesting.

tbf, almost everyone's been a Defender
there's like no rhyme or reason for that team

[Cannot think of a name]

Another pantheon joins the MCU.

For the non-clicky types who haven't run across this news a dozen times already, Russel Crowe is playing Zues in Thor Love and Thunder.

'Cause if you don't have more gods, your god butcher is just an Asgardian serial killer.

It's a cameo that was meant to be a surprise, but it still opens the door for Hercules who has been a Marvel staple for a while including being on the Defenders I think when Ghost Rider was on it. Probably been an Avenger at some point. Yep, he was.

Anyway, interesting.

tbf, almost everyone's been a Defender
there's like no rhyme or reason for that team

Well, they were supposed to be the non-team team, the place where you team up characters that really wouldn't be the team up types, like Ghost Rider. Though I guess Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider eventually became an Avenger by ghost riding a fucking Celestial.

It has made some lopsided teams. You think Hawkeye was outpaced in the Avengers, he joined the Defenders when it had folks like Doctor Strange, Hulk, Namor, fucking Silver Surfer, Valkyrie, Son of Satan...it's like the Infinity Gauntlet had a seventh slot for a gem that controlled just tulips.

[Cannot think of a name]

In other admissions that I'm dimmer than even I think, it didn't occur to me that in the Shang-Chi trailer the glowy bracelets were the ten rings instead of the Mandarin wearing ten rings on his fingers Ringo style. Still holding out that they'll get into the Fing Fang Foom origins of the rings. Then it would be two of the three Iron Man villains they chickened out on.

Sorry AIM.

[The Huskar Social Union]

One thing that i was really annoyed with in the finale was how quickly they cut away from Bucky confessing to the old man about killing his son. I think that scene should have been longer.

[Cannot think of a name]

One of the the theory/breakdown video sites is saying they got insider info on She Hulk that says that Titania is the big bad, which would fulfill Marvel’s tradition of same vs same in the intro.

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

MCU netflix will be able to be included in MCU, right? I mean, wasn't the term expired by 2021 which enabled their return to MCU?

[Lord Dominator]

MCU netflix will be able to be included in MCU, right? I mean, wasn't the term expired by 2021 which enabled their return to MCU?

You’re referring to the streaming rights more probably, Feige’s willingness to include all the Netflix/ABC/etc shows in the MCU is entirely up to him and the other people actually running the MCU.

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

MCU netflix will be able to be included in MCU, right? I mean, wasn't the term expired by 2021 which enabled their return to MCU?

You’re referring to the streaming rights more probably, Feige’s willingness to include all the Netflix/ABC/etc shows in the MCU is entirely up to him and the other people actually running the MCU.

A sad days if it's not implemented to Disney Plus

[Cannot think of a name]

You’re referring to the streaming rights more probably, Feige’s willingness to include all the Netflix/ABC/etc shows in the MCU is entirely up to him and the other people actually running the MCU.

A sad days if it's not implemented to Disney Plus

I just watched a rumor video that said they'd all be coming back in one way or another in appropriate venues, sort of implying that it would be things like Matt Murdock in a Spider-man movie etc. Dunno what that means ultimately. Punisher as the villain of the next Captain America movie...dunno.

[Cannot think of a name]

I came across the most spurious basis for a theory the other day.

The woman who played Karen Page in the Netflix Daredevil put up an Instagram post recommending the RiffTrax of the Ben Affleck Daredevil as being funny.

This is apparently evidence that the Affleck Daredevil and Charlie Cox Daredevil will ALSO collide in now the most crowded movie since Endgame (which, I guess since it wasn't that long ago isn't as impressive as it sounds), Spider-man No Way Home which will now host every Marvel adaptation that pre-dates the MCU. Eric Bana's Hulk. Dolph Lungren, Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson Punishers. The Howard the Duck puppet from the 80s. Old Man Captain Americas from the 70s/80s and that one that quietly went away in the 90s. Wesley Snipes as Blade. But, in a final fuck you...no X-Men or Fantastic Four. Because you want it and you can't have it. Well maybe not the FF.

Anyway, I've heard some tenious connections but an actress finding a riff on a different version of a property she worked on and thinking it's funny as a sign she'll be in a Spider-man movie just seemed like a mega stretch.

[Ameriganastan]

So the Loki show is next...gotta say, this is the one I'm least excited for or interested in.