TheThortrilogy on the Q.T. introduced the idea of the multiverse into the MCU well in advance of it being important inAnt - Manand , possibly , Avengers : Endgame . Through phase 2 and 3 , Marvel Studios has grown progressively interested in the multiverse concept . This scientific theory has two strands to it ; on the one handwriting , it hatch the idea that account branches out , creating alternative timelines likethe Mirror Universe inStar Trek . On the other , it posits that while we are three - dimensional brute , there are other planes of being .   To date , the MCU has predominantly been interested in the latter , which explains the Quantum Realm inAnt - Manand the Dark Dimension inDoctor Strange .

The picture show have actually been building up to this for quite some time . In fact , the first reference to the multiverse was in 2011’sThor ; in thepost - recognition vista , Erik Selvig described the Bifrost as " a logic gate to another dimension , " suggesting that Marvel originally intend every one of the Nine Realms to be in a unlike dimension . That idea was softly drop , though ; presumably , the retcon account Selvig was simply mistaken about this point .

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Keanu Reeves looking over one shoulder as John Wick in Ballerina

But await closely , and theThortrilogy did indeed repose the basis for the multiverse in the MCU . It just pull it off in a very pernicious , very smart way . Here ’s how Marvel ’s been building the Quantum Realm and beyond up all along .

Thor: The Dark World Mentioned 616 Universe And The Nexus Of All Reality

One fundamental scene inThor : The Dark Worldsees Doctor Erik Selvig , the noted astrophysicist now consign to a mental institution , jotting bank bill on a chalkboard . It ’s a popular prospect , involving a much - lovedStan Lee cameo , but the annotation on the board are particularly interesting .   Some of them are lifted from existent - earth science , especially from the theories of quantum mechanics , but others are funny - Scripture particular .   Crucially , many percentage point towards a multiverse :

Assuming Selvig ’s notes are correct , a lot of major Marvel multiverse ideas are established parts of the MCU traditional knowledge .

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Thor: Ragnarok Also Introduced The Man-Thing

Thor : Ragnarokadded a new factor to this , confirm the universe of the cosmic being known as the Man - Thing . According to Kevin Feige , the film’sbiggest Easter eggswere on the side of the Sakaaran Palace . The side was emblazoned with carvings of the Grandmaster ’s former champ - and one of them was the Man - Thing , a character create in a partnership between Stan Lee , Roy Thomas , Garry Conway , and Gray Morrow back in 1971 .

Dr. Theodore " Ted " Sallis was a scientist attempting to quicken the top-notch - soldier serum , but he wound up pursued by A.I.M. ; rather than allow the sole sample of the formula to fall into A.I.M. ’s hands , he injected himself with it , and fled into the nearby swamp . The serum left him vulnerable to occult energies that surrounded the Everglades , and he was transform into the monstrous Man - Thing . The substance of his soundbox was eat away be flora ; though he retain the likeness of humans , in verity he is now a whole new life-time - form .   The Man - Thing became guardian of the Nexus of All realism , a breach in the fabric of time and space that binds all the various dimensions together .

Curiously enough , Thor : Ragnarokwasn’t the first character to the Man - Thing in the wider MCU . InAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.season 1 , a aweary Maria Hill reflected that she was hackneyed of being asked incessant question by Congress . " Who or what is a Man - affair , " she quoted as an indication of the type of question she was fielding . While that indicated the Man - matter existed in the MCU , Thor : Ragnarokevidenced that it seem like the classic laughable ledger combining weight , and was indeed able to deny the dimensions ( by going to Sakaar ) - meaning he may also have accessed the Nexus of All Realities .

In a dusty landscape Finn stares out into the distance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Page 2 of 2:The Multiverse In The MCU

The Multiverse In The MCU So Far

The last few years have see Marvel practice wholeheartedly to the multiverse - although they have n’t quite handled it the same style as the comics . The MCU think a scenario where there are solely different planes of realness , ones that are traditionally beyond the reach of three - dimensional beings . In fact , necromancer like Doctor Strange take up exponent from these other dimensions , using it to reshape realism ; with training , they can learn to get at some of these dimensions , whether physically or in an astral shape . The Multiverse was explored in detail in one scene ofDoctor Strange , where the Ancient One roll Stephen Strange on a " Magical Mystery Tour " where he tumble through countless unlike dimensions .

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The movies have really explored only two primal dimensions in depth . The first is theDark Dimension , a unknown and uncongenial creation that is ruled by the Dread Dormammu . Time does not work right in the Dark Dimension , and hence powerful sorcerer such as the Ancient One are able to make upon its power to lengthen their lifespans . Dormammu ’s knowingness appears to riddle the Dark Dimension , and it burn with a thirstiness to consume other airplane of realism and absorb them into itself . Fortunately for Earth , Doctor Strange entered the Dark Dimension when gird with the Time Stone ; Dormammu was ineffective to administer with the construct of time , and was forced to swan never to attack Earth again . Of course , it ’s unlikely he ’ll keep to his vow .

Thor in the Quantum Realm in the MCU

The second is theQuantum Realm . harmonize to the theory of quantum mechanics , if you shrink to subatomic size of it you would figure a nation where the law of scientific discipline - laws such as gravitational attraction or time - cease to apply . In the MCU , that is the Quantum Realm , a place outside space and time . It was stick in in the firstAnt - Manfilm , and search a little inAnt - Man & The Wasp , when Hank Pym undertake to deliver his long - missing wife Janet Van Dyne from it . The Quantum Realm come along to have a sorting of " geography " to it ; the deep you go into the Quantum Realm , the more the laws of science break down .

There have been other computer address in the all-inclusive MCU as well . Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2revealed that some tool can move from one property to another at will ; the plastic film open up with an interdimensional creature attempting to consume the Sovereign ’s business leader batteries . Meanwhile , inAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.season 4 , Marvel Television revealed that the Ghost Rider is an interdimensional animal from a Hellish carpenter’s plane of existence , who channelize his knowingness from one host to another . Eli Morrow attempted to suck untold power from that dimension , and risk buck the dimensional barriers aside . Meanwhile , in time of year 5 the team found themselves plague by theDimension of Dreams , suffering from nightmarish hallucinations . There have been references to other sources of extradimensional power as well , such as Zero subject inAgent CarterandCloak & Dagger . InRunaways , it ’s been hinted thatNico Minoru ’s Staff of One draws its abilities from the Dark Dimension .

The Multiverse In The MCU’s Future

The multiverse is sure to be an important part of the MCU going forward , and the Quantum Realm is likely key . WhenMarvel first project the Quantum Realm , they worked closely with Dr.   Spiros Michalakis , a quantum physicist who found the concept thrilling . " This is exciting for the future tense , " he explained in one interview . " There are different ways that some of these ideas appear on - cover in a few years . Not just for Ant - Man , but also for Captain Marvel and all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe . " More recently , Michael Douglas accord ; " The Quantum Realm plays an significant part in all the next chapters , I cogitate , of the Marvel flick , " he observed .   The Quantum Realm is hump to take on a role inCaptain Marvel , perhaps as the source of Carol Danvers ' Binary powers , and may excuse Samuel L. Jackson ’s revelation thatCaptain Marvel can travel in time .

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It ’s in general believe thatAvengers : Endgameisa metre traveling story , with the Avengers using the Quantum Realm to travel through time and attempt to rewrite history in social club to avoid or undo the snap . In term of quantum theory , access to a subatomic proportion like the Quantum Realm could indeed enable that , andAnt - Man & the Waspestablished that there are mysterious " clock time vortexes " in the Quantum Realm that could theoretically enable prison term change of location . Tie - in merchandise has shown the Avengers outwear new white costume that are reminiscent of Hank Pym ’s Quantum Realm surroundings suits , presumably to let them to safely explore this strange planing machine of realness .

Erik Selvig Dark World Chalkboard

Looking beyond the next two films , Doctor Strange 2is in the works , withScott Derrickson sign on up to return as conductor ; it ’s safe to assume that film will continue to explore the multiverse . Meanwhile , Marvel Television count set to tap into other dimension in bothRunawaysandCloak & Dagger . The cryptic mystic depravity Nico suffered while using the Staff of One has yet to be explained , and both Cloak and Dagger force their business leader from other dimensions . Finally , there ’s even speculation thatAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.season 6 could featurean alternate - world interpretation of Coulson . It ’s reset the multiverse is   in the MCU to stay .

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Thor Ragnarok Tower

Doctor Strange multiverse scene

Scott Lang in the Quantum Realm in Ant-Man and the Wasp

Thor