As anticipation builds for Marvel Studios' upcoming film, "Avengers: Doomsday," slated for release on December 18, Disney+ has provided an official watchlist of movies intended to prepare audiences. This list, which spans numerous Marvel films, some predating the Marvel Cinematic Universe itself, aims to contextualize the multiversal events central to the new movie. However, several crucial entries that significantly shape the Avengers' history and character dynamics appear to be conspicuously absent.
Captain America: Civil War
The official watchlist makes a substantial jump from 2012's "The Avengers" directly to 2018's "Avengers: Infinity War." This omission bypasses "Captain America: Civil War," a film widely regarded as one of the most pivotal in the MCU's timeline. "Civil War" depicts the fracturing of the Avengers, detailing the ideological rift between Captain America and Iron Man that leaves the team scattered and at odds. Without this narrative bridge, new viewers may find the Avengers' disunity in "Infinity War" jarring, and even returning fans might miss the essential context for their fractured state.
The Marvels
Another significant omission is "The Marvels." The film's post-credit scene, which sees Monica Rambeau transported to a dimension occupied by Kelsey Grammer's Beast, strongly suggests a connection to the multiversal incursions featured in "Avengers: Doomsday." If this dimension is indeed the same X-Men universe expected to play a role in the upcoming film, the absence of "The Marvels" leaves viewers without an introduction to Rambeau's presence there. Furthermore, "The Marvels" serves as an introduction to its three lead heroes, potentially negating the need to watch individual films like "Captain Marvel" and "Ms. Marvel" for foundational character knowledge. The film's exclusion might stem from Marvel Studios' desire to avoid spoilers for character appearances or to minimize the visibility of what has been the MCU's largest financial failure to date.
X-Men: The Last Stand
The 2006 film "X-Men: The Last Stand" is also notably absent, despite featuring the introduction of Kelsey Grammer's Beast, a character seemingly poised for a significant role in "Avengers: Doomsday." While Beast's visual presence might appear self-explanatory, the film's narrative events, including the deaths of Cyclops and Professor X and the de-powering of Magneto, contradict their presumed states in the upcoming movie. Though "X-Men: Days of Future Past" could offer a corrective, its exclusion from the watchlist is curious. The omission could be attributed to the film's generally negative reception or the potential for confusion regarding character status. However, given that "Captain America: Brave New World" is included on the list, "X-Men: The Last Stand's" absence, especially considering its introduction of a key character, raises questions about Disney's curation strategy.