How Would the MCU Be Different After Avengers: Endgame and the Disney-Fox Deal?

If the Disney-Fox deal had been completed sooner, the MCU could have taken a drastically different route, especially in terms of tone and themes. Several key aspects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the Illuminati and Nazist-like organizations, could have become more prominent and darker. This could have led to a significant shift in the landscape of the MCU, setting the stage for more intense stories and complex characters.

The Illuminati: A Group of Prominent Leaders

The Illuminati, a secret society composed of the most prominent and influential leaders in the Marvel universe, could have played a critical role in shaping the MCU's future. One of the potential plotlines they could have explored was shooting the Hulk into space. This would have set the stage for the popular Planet Hulk and eventually the Marvel Universe's version of the World War Hulk.

However, integrating the Illuminati into the MCU storyline brings up a significant issue with distribution rights. Namor, a prominent character of the Illuminati, comes with its own set of challenges, especially considering that the rights to Namor-related content were held by Universal in the past. This point suggests that the incorporation of the Illuminati into the MCU would require careful negotiation and agreement on distribution and rights.

Nazis and Other Extremist Organizations

The inclusion of extremist organizations, such as the Veritable Nazis (a terrorist group known as Purity), in the MCU would have added a more adultesque tone to the series. The registration movement in the comics was described as outright evil, with the registration of superheroes leading to the formation of Prison 42 and the Negative Zone. The descent into Nazism would have brought the country's political landscape to a right-wing extreme, similar to the Attila the Hun portrayals in some comics.

The introduction of these extremist organizations, particularly Purity, would have had a significant impact on other key MCUs such as the Xavier Institute. It could have turned into a concentration camp, patrolled by Sentinels. The 198 (2) storyline could have been a direct result of this narrative shift, with the presence of these extremist groups and the subsequent internal conflicts among superheroes.

The Role of the Avengers and X-Men

The conflict in the MCU could have taken a different turn if it were closer to the comic books in terms of the Civil War. In the comics, the registration movement was not just morally questionable but outright evil. This narrative could have led to a more intense and complex storyline where the Avengers were not just divided but actively engaged in a civil war, with the X-Men facing particular animosity and hostility from the government and the public.

Emma Frost, a character known for her intelligence and leadership, would have played a crucial role in highlighting the moral issues surrounding the Civil War. Her reminder to Tony Stark of the Avengers' failure to provide support to mutants during their time of need during the House of M scenario would have added depth to the characters and their motivations.

Conclusion

The integration of the Disney-Fox deal into the MCU timeline would have drastically altered the course of the series, pushing it towards a more dark and complex narrative. The events leading up to and during the Civil War would have been a significant Phase in the MCU, setting the stage for more intense and morally complex stories. The incorporation of the Illuminati and the presence of organizations like the Purity would have brought a level of adulte themes and mature storylines, making the MCU a more fully realized and engaging universe for both fans and critics.