How Loki Changed the MCU Forever

How Loki Changed the MCU

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re discussing how “Loki” changed the MCU.

For this video, we’ll be looking at revelations from the first season of this Disney+ series that will impact the MCU for years to come. There will naturally be spoilers, so don’t prune us if you’re not all caught up.

What did you think of the “Loki” finale? Let us know in the comments.

Many thought “WandaVision” would introduce the multiverse to the MCU. While that series did set up several ideas to be explored later down the line, “Loki” branched out in unprecedented ways. The multiverse is touched upon in the first episode when the “time variant” Loki from “Avengers: Endgame” arrives at the TVA, or Time Variance Authority. As Miss Minutes explains, the universe Loki originated from is one of countless others. The discovery of other realities led to a multiversal war in which numerous timelines battled for control. While this is all accurate, Miss Minutes veers from the truth when she claims that the Time-Keepers created the single Sacred Timeline, which the TVA strives to preserve by pruning variants and other things that don’t belong.

The Time-Keepers are nothing but puppets, or more specifically, androids. They didn’t create the Sacred Timeline or the people who work at the TVA. Mobius M. Mobius, Ravonna Renslayer, and the other TVA members are all variants who have been lied to this whole time. Before arriving at the TVA, Renslayer was a school principal and we’re sure Mobius was riding a jet ski somewhere. As everything she knew is called into question, Renslayer remains committed to continuing the TVA’s work. The game is forever changed by a certain Loki variant, however.

Most of the Loki variants end up in the Void along with the USS Eldridge and Thanos Copter. Not every Loki is played by Tom Hiddleston. Coming from a variety of different timelines, Lokis can be different ages, genders, races, and species. This doesn’t just apply to Loki, but all MCU characters. If there’s an Alligator Loki and a Frog Thor, there’s surely a Spider-Ham, but more on that later. The Loki variant who brings about the most change is Sylvie, or Lady Loki as the internet sometimes calls her. Targeting the TVA, Sylvie attacks the Sacred Timeline by sending bombs to Asgard, Vormir, New York, and other prominent locations. This is all minor compared to Sylvie’s actions in the finale, though.

Arriving at the Citadel at the End of Time, Loki and Sylvie meet the one behind the emerald curtain: Atticus Freeman from “Lovecraft Country!” Okay, not really, but both characters have actor Jonathan Majors in common. In the finale, this character is simply known as “He Who Remains.” However, Majors is set to appear as the time-traveling villain Kang the Conqueror in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” “He Who Remains” has many different variants, one of which unearthed the existence of alternate universes in the 31st century. Some of his variants are more malevolent than others, and Kang is presumably the worst of the worst. “He Who Remains’” wardrobe seems to be hinting at Kang’s arrival, as both look fashionable in purple. It’s also worth noting that Renslayer has served as Kang’s love interest and enemy in the comics.

“He Who Remains’” variants were responsible for the multiversal war, which he ended with some help from Alioth. He created the TVA, the Time-Keeper androids, and the Sacred Timeline, depriving others of free will in the process. Loki and Sylvie’s presence at the citadel was orchestrated by “He Who Remains,” who’s grown tired of pulling the strings. He thus gives them two options: take his place as the TVA’s leader or end his life. Although Loki objects, Sylvie takes a sword to “He Who Remains’” heart, causing the Sacred Timeline to branch out and for his variants to run wild.

As of now, “Quantumania” is the only upcoming MCU project confirmed to feature Majors as Kang. Since “Loki” head writer Michael Waldron has called Kang “the next big cross-movie villain,” though, he could pop up in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” While “No Way Home” remains one of the most hush-hush MCU projects, Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock and Jamie Foxx’s Electro are definitely on board. Although appearances from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield aren’t set in stone yet, “Loki” has paved the way for all three Spider-Man actors to share the screen. It could even open the door for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to cross paths with Tom Hardy’s Venom and other characters under Sony’s control.

The multiverse could also introduce the X-Men and Fantastic Four. It’s possible that these characters already exist in the MCU and we just haven’t seen them yet. For the X-Men, in particular, though, their absence up until this point might be hard to explain. We mean, superheroes are idolized in this universe. So, why would mutants need to go into hiding? If mutants are from an alternate reality, it may give people a reason to be prejudiced. At the very least, the multiverse can bring Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool into the MCU. Then Wade and Korg can make more trailer reaction videos!

In addition to introducing new characters, “Loki” might be the key to bringing dead characters back… to an extent. The Loki who was choked to death in “Avengers: Infinity War” isn’t getting resurrected anytime soon, but we’ll gladly take any of his variants. If Loki could make a comeback, different versions of Natasha Romanoff, Tony Stark, and other major characters may be next. There’s still some debate over whether “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is really canon. If Marvel were to snap it from existence, Phil Coulson could still return thanks to the multiverse. Considering what happens to him in “The Avengers,” it would be interesting to see him confront Loki again.

The events of “Loki” Season 1 will directly tie into “The Multiverse of Madness” as well. It’s even been reported that Hiddleston will likely reprise his role in the film, although it’s unknown how big his part would be. Aside from the possibility of seeing Kang, it’s been theorized that the villain Nightmare may factor into the plot. With another multiversal war potentially on the horizon, we don’t expect Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch to resolve everything in one film. The Sacred Timeline may never be restored as it once was, and only time will tell if that’s for the best.

In any case, the God of Mischief will also return in Marvel’s “What If...?” and “Loki” Season 2. Yes, it’s official! The finale leaves Loki almost as lost as he was at the beginning of the season. Arriving back at the TVA, Loki isn’t recognized by Mobius or B-15. What’s worse, there’s a statue resembling “He Who Remains” substituting the Time-Keepers. Is this statue dedicated to Kang or another devious variant? The questions don’t end there. Is this an alternate version of the TVA? Where did Renslayer go in her pursuit of free will? What’s next for Sylvie? Is Miss Minutes adorable or horrifying? All we know is that “Loki” has been an essential bridge to Phase 4 and perhaps beyond.