Loki's role at the start of the Multiverse Saga has me convinced that Tom Hiddleston will be back to play a big role before it ends in Avengers: Secret Wars. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has done incredible things over the last almost 20 years, with the Infinity Saga providing a taste of what was possible for these spectacular movies. However, the Multiverse Saga appears to have lost some of the momentum, with Phase's 4 and 5 doing very little to bring the narratives together with a shared goal at the end.
Despite this, I have long believed that the Multiverse Saga has been working towards something big, and getting to that point has required the MCU to lay out a lot of disconnected pieces in a way that failed to recreate the excitement of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Yes, Phase 1 and 2 had an Avengers movie in each to bring the heroes together, but outside of that, there were plenty of smaller-scale stories that looked like they only focused on one disconnected hero. But Endgame delivered a payoff like no other movie in history, and I think something similar could be happening in the Multiverse Saga.
Marvel's "Prime Avenger" Has A Story Oddly Similar To The MCU Loki's
Loki's Latest MCU Variant May Still Have More Story To Tell
It's a well-known fact that the MCU draws inspiration from Marvel Comics. Sometimes, this means diggng deep in the archives and finding old-school stories, but increasingly, Marvel Studios has been looking back at recent runs for inspiration, and I think the Prime Avenger storyline, which sees Loki become a multiversal legendary hero, is perfectly positioned to be at least part of the inspiration for what has happened to Loki after his solo show and in other appearances in MCU films.
Is Loki trapped forever as a living Loom?
I know it's been a few years since the series was released, but Loki remains a steadfast favorite of mine, with WandaVision a close second. However, one question that has been bugging me for a while now is whether Loki is gone? And no, I don't mean dead, but the end of the Disney+ show saw our beloved trickster god weaving together all branches and timelines in the shape of Yggdrasil. Though it's a fitting end to Loki's arc, his glorious purpose, I'm certain that many people across the globe, including me, would like to see more of him. What are your thoughts? Do you think this is the end of Loki's journey, an eternal sacrifice?
The thing is, the Prime Avenger story, which began in comics in 2022, follows a variant of Loki that manages to get everything he ever wanted. His brother dies early on, which clears the path for him to take over Asgard, and from there, he begins asserting his power. But the interesting stuff comes later, after Loki dies and arrives in the God Quarry, an area similar to the Void. Here, he travels to a large mountain, and begins forming a team of Avengers, before eventually fixing huge problems that have impacted the multiverse. In Loki, the primary hero is also redeemed, and finds a way to fix the timelines before they fizzle out and reality collapses.
Loki Season 2's Ending Justifies A Prime Avenger Storyline For Tom Hiddleston's Loki
The Stories Could Seamlessly Overlap In The MCU
Of course, Loki is redeemed by the end of Loki season 2, having embraced his glorious purpose, and claiming his spot as the person holding the multiverse together. The show certainly makes this look like his eternal fate, but if the Multiverse Saga is coming to an end, and future MCU entries will revert to playing out in one reality for the most part, it feels like Loki's fate needs to be revisited. If the Multiverse is erased, then what was Loki's sacrifice all for, and can he go free once the timelines disappear? Realistically, the MCU will need to address his connection to the Multiverse, and Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are the perfect moments to do so.
Little is known about the actual plot details, but just from the titles, and the inclusion of the immensely powerful Doctor Doom, speculation points to Secret Wars marking the end of many realities, and the potential combining of some to create a new primary timeline. Loki proved himself invaluable in preserving the timeline, and the work he did in Loki season 2 saw him progressively become ever more powerful and intelligent thanks to his ability to harness time. This is another link to the Prime Avenger, Loki, who wields the Eye of Agamotto. All things considered, it just makes sense to have the character return to conclusively reveal what happened, and if the Multiverse survives, despite not being the main focus.
Making Loki A Key Player In Avengers: Doomsday & Avengers: Secret Wars Could Add A Much-Needed Way To Tie The MCU's Multiverse Saga Together
Loki Is The Connective Tissue Binding The Multiverse Together
Many of the biggest complaints about the Multiverse Saga highlight a lack of cohesiveness and connection between the movies in Phase 4 and 5. After building to a spectacular crossover movie like Avengers: Endgame, this was clearly a shock to fans, and it left them cold turkey for seeing these kinds of adventures after getting upwards of three films in a single year. But the Multiverse Saga is connected, and if they could incorporate links between the Loki TV series and the final film, Avengers: Secret Wars, it would work as a full circle moment.
Was Loki Ever An MCU Villain? Tom Hiddleston Didn’t Think So
Tom Hiddleston once explained why Loki was never an actual villain in the MCU, and the God of Mischief's MCU appearances his assertion.
On top of that, the incredible sacrifice Loki made in Loki season 2 is currently completely concealed from most people he saved. Including his brother, and former rivals, who would very much love to see Loki fighting for good. This link would help to make the film more satisfying, and retroactively improve on the projects that have received less than stellar reviews. And with the Avengers absent from the Multiverse Saga, it would create a much-needed, and well-beloved crossover moment.
I Think Adapting The Prime Avenger Story Into Secret Wars Could Be The Perfect Approach For The MCU's Current Arc
Tom Hiddleston's Loki Would Be Great As The Prime Avenger
The Multiverse Saga has been flawed in some ways. For one, the movies released within this era have done very little to push a t narrative forward. Even the after-credits scenes feel disappointing and lack any real oomph to get viewers excited. But despite this, Loki did perform incredibly well for Disney+. But just like when the Infinity Saga began, it took time to establish unique heroes, before being able to bring them together. The Multiverse Saga does appear to have a similar vision, but for two entire phases to without an Avengers movie, it feels like something is missing.
And with the Avengers absent from the Multiverse Saga, it would create a much-needed, and well-beloved crossover moment.
Having Loki become the Prime Avenger, or some variant of the storyline, would help to take this character and the Multiverse Saga in a brand-new direction. Loki forming a team of variant Avengers, repelling the forces of evil, and convincing the world that he has now chosen to be a better man. The MCU is surely building towards something big, but they haven't given any insight about who will be appearing, but my hopes are certainly high for Loki to return.
