Avengers: Doomsday Shows How the MCU’s Power Scale Has Shifted
As Avengers: Doomsday approaches with Doctor Doom as the new main villain, the Marvel Cinematic Universe faces a growing issue of power escalation. Over the years, both heroes and villains have been amplified to the point where new characters struggle to feel truly threatening.
The post-Endgame era of the MCU has seen power levels rise so drastically that maintaining tension has become a challenge. Each installment strives to surpass the previous one, but this constant escalation now undermines the believability of new antagonists.
Doctor Doom’s Dilemma
For Doctor Doom to stand out as the ultimate foe, the MCU must convincingly portray him as vastly powerful. Yet, after a decade of ever-growing might, making an armored villain feel menacing is no easy task. The universe’s scale of power now makes Doom’s arrival as a serious threat difficult to pull off convincingly.
Examples of Power Escalation
- The introduction of cosmic entities such as the Council of Kangs, the Celestials, Mephisto, and Galactus.
- Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) became so strong she had to be kept off-planet during Avengers: Infinity War.
- The Hulk was toned down by integrating Bruce Banner’s intelligence, effectively limiting his raw strength.
“Marvel has had to keep making its heroes and villains stronger so each movie could outdo the last.”
The challenge for Marvel Studios lies in restoring stakes and vulnerability. Unless the next phase balances its power levels, Avengers: Doomsday may struggle to deliver real dramatic tension.
Author’s Summary
The MCU’s pursuit of constant escalation has diluted danger and tension, making it difficult for even Doctor Doom to feel like a true threat.