The Time Gap in Spider-Man: Homecoming and the MCU Timeline
The Time Gap in Spider-Man: Homecoming and the MCU Timeline
In recent discussions surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), much debate has centered around the time gap between the events of Avengers (2012) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Many have wondered if this gap creates a different timeline. While some argue that it signals a significant deviation, the official stance suggests a simpler explanation—human error in the filmmaking process.
Short Answer: It Isn't a Different Timeline
The official answer to the time gap is essentially that it's due to miscommunication or oversight. As one commentator succinctly put it, the answer is 'oops.' The filmmakers simply didn't do their math correctly, leading to the 8-year discrepancy between the events of Avengers and Spider-Man: Homecoming
However, to fully understand this issue, it's helpful to delve into the specific timeline details of the MCU. The primary argument against the 8-year gap is rooted in the internal chronology of the MCU as portrayed in the films. The writing of the opening sequence for Spider-Man: Homecoming has been criticized for being a major blunder. The filmmakers may not have accounted for the precise timeline of events within the MCU, leading to the incorrect year calculation. To unpack this further, let's examine the key films in the timeline: Iron Man (2008) had no specific year attached to it, but it can be assumed to be in the late 2000s. Following this, the next significant event was The Incredible Hulk (2008), which explicitly states that the events occurred a year after the film's release. Thus, these events took place in 2009 (1 BNY). Thor also takes place in 1 BNY, as it is conceived to be part of the same timeline as Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk. Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk are both set in 2011, placing them all within the timeframe of 1 BNY. This anomaly in date placement was likely intentional to keep the continuity of events flowing without causing confusion for the audience. The main event, The Avengers, takes place in 2012, two years after the first set of films (1 BNY). This decade is referred to as 2 BNY (Before New York 2020). Spider-Man: Homecoming explicitly states it takes place 8 years after the events of The Avengers, which would place it in 2020. However, this conflicts with the established timeline of the MCU. The more accurate timeframe is closer to 4-4.5 BNY (Before New York 2020), placing the film in early 2017 (April/May or late 2017, September/ October). While the 8-year discrepancy in the opening sequence of Spider-Man: Homecoming may seem significant, it is mainly a product of a writing error. The time gap is not a signal of a different timeline, but rather a miscommunication between the filmmakers. The internal chronology of the MCU, as established through the films, suggests that Spider-Man: Homecoming should indeed be placed within the 4-4.5 BNY timeframe, bringing it closer in line with the established timeline of the MCU.Long Answer: The Scriptwriting Flaw
The MCU Timeline and Internal Chronology
Iron Man (2008) – 1 BNY (Before New York 2012)
Thor (2011) – 1 BNY
Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk – 1 BNY
The Avengers (2012) – 2 BNY
Spider-Man: Homecoming – 4-4.5 BNY (Before New York 2020)
Conclusion