Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World dropped a cryptic post-credits scene where Samuel Sterns/The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) warns, “This isn’t the only world… You’ll need to protect yours from… The Others.” Director Julius Onah later teased that “The Others” are intentionally ambiguous—a placeholder for a threat that could redefine the MCU. But with Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars filming back-to-back, fans are scrambling: Are “The Others” multiverse villains, heroes, or something beyond? Let’s decode the chaos.
The Multiverse Saga – From Loki to Incursions
Marvel’s multiverse groundwork has been years in the making:
- Phase 4: Loki introduced the TVA and branching timelines.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home: Brought variants like Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man.
- Doctor Strange 2: Explored Earth-838 and the Illuminati.
- The Marvels: Monica Rambeau landed in a Fox X-Men universe.
Incursions – The Ticking Time Bomb
Incursions (colliding realities) are central to Secret Wars (2015 comics). As seen in Doctor Strange 2, an incursion destroys two universes unless one is sacrificed. The Leader’s warning hints that “The Others” are either causing these incursions or fighting them.
Who Are “The Others”? Theories & Clues
Theory 1 – Multiversal Avengers (Heroes)
- Parallel Teams: Variants like Earth-838’s Illuminati or a Justice League-style coalition.
- Secret Defenders: A team hinted in Doctor Strange 2 concept art, led by Clea (Charlize Theron).
Theory 2 – The Black Priests (Villains)
- Comic Origins: In Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars, the Black Priests destroy universes to delay multiversal collapse.
- MCU Link: The Leader’s “experiments” could align with their nihilistic goals.
Theory 3 – Kang’s Variant Army
- Kang Dynasty Fallout: With Jonathan Majors’ exit, “The Others” might replace Kang as the multiverse’s architects of doom.
- Rama-Tut & Immortus: Pharaoh or future variants could rally under a new banner.
Avengers Doomsday & Secret Wars – The Russo Brothers’ Vision
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo confirmed Doomsday and Secret Wars will film back-to-back, mirroring Infinity War and Endgame. Here’s what this means:
A Two-Part Cosmic War
- Doomsday: Focuses on incursions escalating, with heroes scrambling to stop reality collapses.
- Secret Wars: Culminates in Battleworld—a patchwork planet made from dead universes.
The “Radical” Approach
The Russos teased a narrative structure that’s “challenging but exciting”. Speculation points to:
- Parallel Timelines: Following multiple teams (e.g., Young Avengers, Midnight Sons) across universes.
- Cameo Overload: Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, RDJ’s Iron Man variant, or even the X-Men.
Production Challenges – Marvel’s Tightrope Walk
Marvel’s multiverse ambition has caused turbulence:
- Reshoot Roulette: The Marvels and Doctor Strange 2 underwent major rewrites, muddying plot threads.
- Kang’s Uncertain Fate: Majors’ departure forced Marvel to pivot, delaying Avengers 5.
Lessons from the Infinity Saga
- Thanos’ Slow Burn: The Mad Titan’s 6-year build-up paid off. “The Others” need similar groundwork.
- Audience Fatigue: Quantumania and Secret Invasion’s lukewarm reception show risks of overcrowded storytelling.
Fan Speculations – Wildest Possibilities
- Franklin Richards: Reed Richards’ reality-warping son could debut as a catalyst for incursions.
- The Beyonders: Omnipotent beings from the comics who destroyed the multiverse.
- Sony’s Spider-Verse Crossover: Insomniac’s Spider-Man or Tom Hardy’s Venom joining the fray.
Conclusion – Can Marvel Stick the Landing?
“The Others” are Marvel’s biggest gamble yet. With the multiverse saga’s complexity, the Russo Brothers must balance fan service with coherent storytelling. If Doomsday and Secret Wars deliver, they could eclipse Endgame as the MCU’s magnum opus. But as Phase 4’s missteps prove, even gods stumble.
Engage With Us!
Who do YOU think “The Others” are? Multiverse villains, legacy heroes, or something stranger? Share your theories below!
