The Marvel Cinematic Universe has consistently lived and breathed based on setups and payoffs, but with the Multiverse Saga careening toward its finale with Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, fans find themselves gazing at a laundry list of unresolved questions. Some are galaxy-spanning mysteries, others are emotional cliffhangers, but they’ve all had Marvel die-hards speculating around the clock. Let’s dissect the 12 most compelling open-ended storylines still hanging as of August 2025, numbering down to the most shocking one of all.
12. The Space Beacon of the Ten Rings
In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the mid-credits scene teased something massive: the Rings are broadcasting a signal across the universe, and even Wong, Captain Marvel, and Bruce Banner can’t figure out who—or what—is on the receiving end. Years later, we’re still in the dark. Is this the setup for the Fantastic Four? A cosmic villain? Or just Marvel leaving us on hold forever?
11. Whose Avengers Are They, Anyway?
The Thunderbolts stinger mocked Marvel’s own brand battles: Val’s team happily proclaimed themselves to be the “New Avengers,” but Sam Wilson’s Captain America was having none of it. Before things could get out of hand, however, the Fantastic Four literally crashed the scene. It was a sly taunt, but with Doctor Doom looming in the wings, it’s likely this naming dispute will get hammered out soon enough.
10. Kamala Khan’s Young Avengers Dream Team
Kamala Khan hiring Kate Bishop at the close of The Marvels lit the internet ablaze. With Kamala, Kate, America Chavez, Cassie Lang, Billy Maximoff, Riri Williams, and Skaar in the mix, the roster is talented. The only question mark: will Marvel finally let them have a real Young Avengers project before they all age out of the “young” descriptor?
9. Peter Parker’s Erased Life
Spider-Man: No Way Home left Peter Parker utterly alone after wiping himself from everyone’s memories—including MJ and Ned. Rumors around Spider-Man: Brand New Day suggest we’ll see him either try to win them back or start fresh with a new circle of friends. Whatever happens, Peter’s relationships are the emotional core of his story, so this dangling thread won’t stay unresolved forever.
8. The Council of Kangs That Time Forgot
Do you remember when Kang was going to be the Multiverse Saga villain? Quantumania hyped up a council of Kangs setting up for war, but real-world politics and plan changes have kept that premise on the back burner. Do we ever get to see them again, or will Doctor Doom wipe them out with a single line in Secret Wars? Don’t hold your breath.
7. Thor vs. Hercules (and the Afterlife Twist)
Love and Thunder concluded with Zeus ordering his son Hercules to pursue Thor, threatening a heavenly smackdown. Trouble is, there isn’t a Thor sequel on the horizon anytime soon. Tack on Jane Foster joining Valhalla, and Marvel appears to be setting up a larger god-and-afterlife mythology. Whether that ever cashes in before a reboot is to be determined.
6. Blade and the Black Knight’s Tease
The Eternals post-credits scene established something tantalizing: Dane Whitman grabbing for the accursed Ebony Blade, only to be interrupted by Blade’s off-screen voice. That was years ago, and in the intervening time, between Blade’s production debacle and Marvel cutting back on Eternals material, this thread seems like it’s collecting dust.
5. Monica Rambeau in the X-Mansion
The Marvels set Monica in another universe altogether—one with Beast, Binary, and the Fox X-Men timeline. With Doctor Doom looming over multiversal destruction, Monica is ideally placed to be one of the key players in the climax of the saga. The one actual question: how (and when) does she find her way back home?
4. Moon Knight’s Third Persona
The final episode of Moon Knight brought in Jake Lockley, Marc and Steven’s brutal third alter, still connected to Khonshu. Audiences were hoping to see that internal conflict play out, but with Marvel dialing back its Disney+ slate, it’s uncertain if this plot thread ever gets s meaningful resolution—or simply hangs in the air forever next to Sharon Carter’s Power Broker plot.
3. The Abduction of the Eternals
Arishem’s unexpected debut in Eternals culminated with several heroes literally abducted by a Celestial, while others promised to save them. Throw in Eros and Pip for good measure, and it seemed Marvel was laying the groundwork for a massive cosmic narrative. Cut to today, and… nothing. Unless Secret Wars reveals that everything is being rebooted, this could be one of the MCU’s most neglected storylines.
2. Strange, Clea, and the Incursion
Doctor Strange’s meddling in the multiverse caused an incursion, and Clea appeared to pull him into the Dark Dimension. That was back in 2022, and Strange has not been seen since. With his connection to multiverse lore, fans believe he will be a huge part of Secret Wars—perhaps even mirroring his comic book run as “Sheriff Strange,” Doom’s reluctant right-hand on Battleworld.
1. Franklin Richards and Galactus’ Hint
Fantastic Four: First Steps concluded on a cliffhanger with Galactus revealing that Franklin Richards might inherit his cosmic appetite. Franklin is one of the most powerful mutants in Marvel comics, and the thought of him potentially becoming the next Galactus is gigantic. With the Multiverse Saga set to reboot in 2028, Franklin may be the key to whatever is next for the MCU.
The MCU’s hallmark has always been seeding, but with the Multiverse Saga coming to a close, some seeds are sprouting while others are collecting dust. Whether they pay off in Secret Wars, get hand-waved away, or are reserved for the post-2028 reboot, these dangling threads serve as proof of one thing: Marvel still knows how to keep us invested.