Many ofMarvel Studios' series have ended in cliffhangers, leading to various fan theories and conversations about what happens next. The latest offeringMoon Knightis a clear example of this. As part of the specialAssembledepisode for the series, Brad Winderbaum, the Head of Streaming, Television and Animation at the studio, has explained why cliffhanger endings are being used so often.
The weekly format of the Disney Plus series has been appreciated by many, and each respectiveMarvel Studiostelevision show has added something integral to the sacred timeline of the MCU.Moon Knightintroduced two new heroes to the universe, Oscar Isaac’s titular character andMay Calamawy’s Scarlet Scarab. But, while it seemed like the miniseries would tie all loose ends, it introduced Jake Lockley at the last minute and left fans wondering where his partnership with Khonshu will take the character next.
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Winderbaum explained that having a platform where they could tell longer-form stories has given them the flexibility to keep “the endings more open.” Prior to Phase 4, the MCU stories were narrated within films, which had a maximum runtime of two and a half hours. Withthe miniseries on Disney Plus, the studio is able to offer more details to fans, and focus a lot more on backstories.
With several new heroes and characters being introduced into the MCU, the multiple Disney Plus series seem like the perfect platform to do so. “We can confidently go into the future knowing that there are more stories left to tell and new characters that we can bring in to tell them," Winderbaum said. So far, Winderbaum’s comments have been an accurate assessment of Phase 4.
WandaVisionwas the trendsetter and introduced Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau into the MCU. By the end of the season, she had obtained her superpowers and was even recruited by the Skrulls to assist with a mission in space.The Falcon and the Winter Soldierintroduced the world toAnthony Mackie’s new Captain America,Lokibrought Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie, Owen Wilson’s Mobius, and Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror into the MCU, andHawkeyeintroduced Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop and Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez.
With so many new heroes now a part of the MCU, it seems inevitable that their paths will cross eventually. BringingLockley in at the end ofMoon Knightshows that the story isn’t over yet. Introducing so many new characters shows that Marvel Studios is expanding its universe, and there’s more to their story than their respective series have told fans so far.
