Marvel Movies That (For Now) Are NOT Part of the Multiverse

Marvel is once again at the center of attention, thanks to an unusual livestream during which the media giant spent a whopping 5.5 hours (!) revealing the cast of Avengers: Doomsday. Among the announced actors were familiar faces from the original X-Men series from the early 2000s, highlighting the MCU’s new direction—embracing the multiverse, which now includes older and parallel Marvel adaptations that were originally made outside Disney’s oversight.

But there are still movies that have yet to be integrated into the multiverse. Here they are.

(This list is limited to theatrical releases.)

Howard the Duck

Not everyone may remember, but the first-ever big-screen adaptation of a Marvel comic was Howard the Duck in the mid-80s. This controversial and wacky flop, produced by none other than George Lucas, has since become a cult favorite among fans of B-movie entertainment. However, no MCU creators have made direct references to it.

Howard the Duck himself has made appearances in Guardians of the Galaxy, had a brief cameo in Avengers: Endgame, and even played a more prominent role in What If.

..? Season 3. However, his design makes it clear that this is not the same character from the 1986 film.

Hulk (2003)

In Deadpool & Wolverine, we briefly see Logan fighting the Hulk in one of the alternate realities. This could have been a perfect opportunity to reference the 2003 Hulk film by using that version’s design.

Since that didn’t happen, Ang Lee’s Hulk remains one of the last Marvel adaptations to receive no acknowledgment in the multiverse. Perhaps its serious, trauma-driven tone is why it remains untouched.

Ghost Rider & Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Ryan Reynolds admitted in an interview that he wanted Nicolas Cage to have a cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, but it ultimately didn’t happen. In fact, Ghost Rider isn’t even mentioned in Shawn Levy’s film. That leaves the two Ghost Rider movies on the outskirts of the Marvel multiverse.

Could that change in one of the upcoming Avengers films? Or perhaps Cage has lost interest in such roles after his disappointing experience with DC’s The Flash?

Madame Web

While Venom and Morbius made connections to the MCU through post-credit scenes, Madame Web did not employ any such tricks. Nothing indicates that this film takes place in the same universe as the ones starring Tom Hardy or Jared Leto.

Kraven the Hunter

The same situation applies to the latest installment in Sony’s troubled Spider-Man universe. Kraven the Hunter lacks any ties to Marvel Studios or the other films in its own franchise, further speeding up its journey to pop culture oblivion.

The Gray Area: Marvel Films of Uncertain Multiversal Status

Some movies exist in a murky middle ground, where their connection to the multiverse is open to interpretation.

The Punisher & Punisher: War Zone

While Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t feature the Punisher, the team fighting Nova mentions the character.

Deadpool even asks, “Which Punisher? There were like five of them.”

Does this mean The Punisher (2004) and Punisher: War Zone (2008) are part of the multiverse? Interestingly, a character from the 2004 film—Russo—appears in Deadpool & Wolverine, but this time played by Billy Claments instead of Chris Nash.

Fantastic Four (2015)

There are no MCU references to the 2015 Fantastic Four reboot. However, behind-the-scenes footage from that film appears in the end credits of Deadpool & Wolverine, alongside clips from movies officially absorbed into the multiverse. This suggests that the Watcher was observing the adventures of Miles Teller’s Fantastic Four as well.

Marvel’s strategy to incorporate all past adaptations into a single multiverse under Kevin Feige’s leadership is progressing smoothly. At this point, we can almost count on one hand the films that remain excluded.