MCU After Infinity War and Endgame: Determining the Year

Since its inception, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has kept audiences captivated with its intricate timelines and complex story arcs. One of the key questions that many fans have grappled with is the timeline of the MCU, especially following the events of Avengers: Infinity War (IW) and Avengers: Endgame (Endgame). This article aims to clarify the timeline and the year we should be considering post-Endgame by discussing major plot points and their implications.

The Snap in 2018: Setting the Stage

The Snap, a pivotal moment in the MCU timeline, occurred in 2018. During this event, half of all life in the universe was abruptly eradicated by the villain Thanos. This catastrophic loss served as a crucial turning point in the story, setting the stage for the subsequent films to address the aftermath and attempt to undo the damage.

The Five-Year Time Jump: From 2018 to 2023

Following the Snap, the movie Avengers: Endgame begins five years later, in what would be 2023 in the real world. This time jump was a necessary narrative device to allow the heroes to gather all the Infinity Stones and devise a plan to resurrect the Snap's victims. The decision to skip forward five years was indeed strategic, chosen for its dramatic impact and the ability to bring all the primary characters back into the fold.

Continuity and Consistency in the MCU

The concept of continuity is a major challenge for the MCU, particularly after such significant events like the Snap and the time jumps. Time travel and time manipulation become crucial themes, contributing to the overall narrative but often complicating the timeline. For instance, the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019 was set in the year 2023, aligning with the timeline established by Endgame.

While this timeline seems to work for various standalone films and support series, it does introduce challenges for maintaining consistency across the broader MCU. The film studio and writers have to be extremely careful to ensure that events in later films do not contradict or confuse the established timeline.

Addressing the Critics and Fans

Many critics and fans have pointed out the perceived continuity issues in the MCU, particularly the time jump from 2018 to 2023 within a single storyline. While some argue that the five-year gap makes sense for the narrative progression and the re-introduction of essential characters, others find it confusing and consider it an unnecessary complication.

The unprecedented nature of the Snap and the time jumps has undoubtedly added layers of complexity to the MCU timeline. Nonetheless, the studio's approach to incorporating these elements has, for the most part, kept the story engaging and coherent.

For now, the year 2023 remains the accepted timeline in the MCU for post-Endgame events. However, as the franchise continues to unfold, the balance between narrative coherence and fan satisfaction will increasingly be tested.

The specifics of superhero films and the timeline of the MCU are always open to interpretation and ongoing debate. As the franchise develops further, it will be interesting to see how the studio addresses any perceived continuity issues and how the timeline is adjusted to accommodate new stories and events.