Good guys versus bad guys. Superheroes, villains, and gods with bulging muscles all form part of the action. What more could we ask for when it comes to movies such as Iron Man, The Avengers, Spider-Man, and Thor?
Some fans delight in finding Easter eggs in their favorite superhero flicks or discovering clues that may just prove certain fan theories correct. So, they binge-watch these movies several times to connect seemingly loose threads and build theories around the films. Get ready to explore some of the most outlandish and entertaining fan theories that surround Marvel’s most popular superhero movies!
Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t seen these Marvel movies, be careful. We’ll reveal information you may not want to know . . . yet. You’ve been warned.
10. Coronavirus Prediction
During lockdown, binge-watching Marvel flicks led to a timely fan theory. In Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers is in Times Square. Billboards show Corona beer and what looks like a virus. The theory claimed the movie predicted the coronavirus pandemic.
However, film critic William Mullally found that the “virus” was a top shot of dry spaghetti sticks. Even though this theory was debunked, some people still believe it!
9. Galactus Connection
In Guardians of the Galaxy, the Collector explains the creation of the Infinity Stones, which are crucial in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
The background during the Collector’s scene led to a theory that one planet shown is Taa, home of Galan, who becomes Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. Fans speculate that the Sentience of the Universe is depicted in the Collector’s lecture and that Galactus’s helmet design is on the Celestial’s staff.
Director James Gunn debunked the rumors in 2018, stating Galactus wasn’t there in any way.
8. The Butthole Theory
After Avengers: Infinity War, fans went wild trying to figure out how Thanos would be defeated in Avengers: Endgame.
One of the craziest theories suggested that Ant-Man could shrink down, fly up Thanos’s butt, and expand, blowing him up from the inside. Thankfully, the creators of Endgame chose a less gross method.
7. Brother From Another Mother
The Marvel Multiverse brings out ultimate creativity! When Tony Stark and Steve Rogers became enemies in Captain America: Civil War, theories emerged to explain their bad blood.
Some theorized that Peggy Carter, Captain America’s love, was Tony Stark’s mother. The flirtatious way Howard Stark speaks to Peggy in The First Avenger could have led to them getting together after Captain America crashed into the ice.
However, the timelines don’t align, and MCU writers have confirmed Peggy’s children were always intended to be fathered by Captain America.
6. Spider-Man And 9/11
In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker seems afraid of heights. Combined with scenes of skyscrapers, planes and debris, some fans theorize Peter’s parents died in the 9/11 attacks.
However, this isn’t plausible as the MCU has its own version of 9/11, called “the incident,” which is the alien invasion in the first Avengers movie. Loki, mind-controlled by Thanos, led to the mass destruction of New York.
5. Doctor Strange And The Snap
Some movies thrive on outing the good guy as actually being the bad guy. A dark theory suggests Doctor Strange was behind Thanos snapping his fingers and eliminating half the universe.
According to this theory, Stephen Strange wanted to rid Earth of Thanos, Iron Man, Vision, Hulk, Thor, and the Infinity Stones, seeing them all as threats. In the end, he only got rid of Vision and Iron Man.
The theory expands by considering the rationale behind the demise of each hero and villain, including Tony Stark being reckless, Vision being an abomination, Hulk being a loose cannon, and Thor being unable to save his own planet. It’s even theorized that Doctor Strange faked his disappearance after the snap.
4. The Heart-Shaped Herb
During the Battle of Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America and Black Panther lead the charge. This led to the theory that they have similar powers from the Heart-Shaped Herb.
Captain America’s power comes from the Super Soldier Serum created by Dr. Abraham Erskine, who teamed up with Howard Stark to perfect it. Stark gave Captain America his vibranium shield, which is only found in Wakanda. According to this theory, Stark acquired the Heart-Shaped Herb to perfect the Super Soldier Serum.
3. Lighthearted Thor
Thor: Ragnarok was highly anticipated, and fans raved about its humor. However, darkness lurked beneath with the deaths of Odin and the Warriors Three, the release of Hela, the destruction of Thor’s hammer, the loss of Asgard’s army, and the ruin of Asgard.
A Reddit fan theory suggests Thor tells the story of Ragnarok in lighthearted fashion to downplay the terrible events. He does this to cheer up the Asgardian refugees and to keep himself sane after the loss of his father and Asgard’s devastation. Could Thor have fabricated details of his fight against Hulk?
2. Hulk vs. Thanos
When Avengers: Infinity War was released, Thanos snapped his fingers, and heroes dissolved into dust. This led to many fan theories.
One mind-blowing scene shows Hulk battling Thanos and losing badly, which confused fans considering Hulk’s notable strength in Thor: Ragnarok. A popular theory suggests Hulk was weakening as Bruce Banner got stronger and started to take over Hulk’s body. By Infinity War, Hulk was too weak to stand against Thanos.
In Avengers: Endgame, the Hulk we know is gone, replaced by Professor Hulk, who looks like a huge, green Bruce Banner but lacks brute strength.
1. ‘I Have Telepathy’
Avengers: Endgame broke records after its release in 2019. It was the first movie that saw Captain Marvel fight alongside the Avengers.
In one scene, Thor looks at Captain Marvel to size her up. When he stands in front of her, she meets his gaze. Even when Stormbreaker flies toward Thor’s hand inches from her head, Marvel doesn’t flinch. Thor approves, stating: “I like this one.”
A slightly eerie theory suggests that when Captain Marvel turns to face Thor, she whispers, “I have telepathy,” only audible with the volume at 400 percent. However, the directors shot down this theory, saying it wasn’t part of the Easter eggs buried in Marvel films.
From unexpected origins to mind-bending plot twists, these fan theories showcase the incredible passion and creativity of Marvel fans worldwide. Whether debunked or still debated, they add an extra layer of fun to the MCU experience.
What do you think about these theories? Which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below!
