With Marvel’s Netflix shows seemingly becoming canon, the inclusion of the Defenders into the main MCU timeline now poses some story questions.

Netflix’s Marvel shows potentially becoming canon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe means a future for those characters, but it also changes some things about the MCU as it currently stands. Before the MCU released shows on Disney+, Marvel TV – a branch separate to Marvel Studios – released several shows through Netflix. Starting with Daredevil in 2015, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist premiered in subsequent years. It culminated in the crossover show The Defenders, with the Daredevil spin-off The Punisher being the final Marvel Netflix show to be released before all the series were canceled by 2019.

Many fans assumed that the Marvel Netflix Defenders shows were canon because of the MCU references throughout the shows, but it was never confirmed. Even when the shows were eventually added to Disney+, Marvel Studios did not comment on The Defenders Saga’s status. Recently, Disney+ added Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher to the Marvel timeline category, seemingly indicating the shows are canon. However, Marvel Studios has not confirmed as much, so it should be taken with a grain of salt. Now that these shows might be part of the main MCU timeline, though, it raises plenty of questions as to how these series affect some key franchise stories.

10Some MCU Heroes & Villains’ Powers Would Become Less Impressive

Druig And Kilgrave Have Similar Powers

Though the members of the Defenders have powers of their own, they have always been considered grounded, street-level heroes. That doesn’t mean the Netflix shows haven’t produced some powerful individuals, but bringing these characters into the canon will make some existing MCU powers seem less impressive.

When Druig’s mind control over his compound was first shown in Eternals, his powers felt like an appropriate strength for an otherworldly protector like an Eternal. However, Kilgrave has equally as impressive mind control powers in Jessica Jones. It’d make sense that in such a huge universe like the MCU, people of all sorts could have the same great power. Though, the fact that a human like Kilgrave has such power automatically makes Druig’s seem slightly less impressive.

9The Avengers’ Origins Would Look Different

The Avengers Were The MCU’s First Super Group

The superhero group was first assembled in The Avengers, being the first movie to bring together such a strong group of heroes. However, if the Defenders are now in the timeline, that means there had to have been other heroes around during the time of The Avengers. The street-level heroes of New York might not have been on par with what Nick Fury sought for the Avengers, but they were at least active. It makes sense that vigilante street-level heroes like Daredevil or Iron Fist would want to stay away from the public eye, but it does raise the question of when exactly they were established in the MCU.

8Major MCU Events Would Change Retrospectively

The Snap And The Battle Of New York Are Two Major MCU Events

In the MCU timeline on Disney+, Daredevil and Jessica Jones were added right before Avengers: Age of Ultron, while Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders were put before Captain America: Civil War. With the shows happening right in the middle of the Infinity Saga, it means the Defenders should’ve been aware of most major MCU events. With most MCU characters’ solo films, the whereabouts of other heroes are sometimes questioned, and the Defenders are no different.

The obvious major MCU arc the Defenders were absent for was Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. There’s a chance most of them got snapped, but Echo seemingly confirmed Daredevil didn’t, so it’s less clear why he wasn’t present. Further, in the current MCU timeline, Daredevil should’ve been active around the time of the Battle Of New York in The Avengers. There’s no way he would’ve hidden with such destruction happening, especially when it was so close to home.

7The Superhuman Registration Act Would Look Worse

The Sokovia Accords Are The MCU’s Version

The Sokovia Accords were introduced in Captain America: Civil War as the MCU’s version of the comics’ Superhuman Registration Act and a way to keep super-enhanced individuals under control. It was a divisive law among the superhero community as some saw it as a necessary way to hold themselves accountable, while others thought the limit on their freedom would stop them from saving lives. The MCU focuses on the implications the Sokovia Accords have on the Avengers, but other heroes like the Defenders would also have to acknowledge the law.

It’s never thoroughly explained who exactly fell under the Sokovia Accords, but it’s assumed that any enhanced individual who poses an international threat would have to sign. In that case, the Defenders might’ve flown under the radar as their work is completely domestic. However, the accords are indirectly referenced in Jessica Jones as Jessica mentions the Raft multiple times, the maximum security prison meant to work in tandem with the Sokovia Accords. Even if it’s never implied if the Defenders ever had to sign the accords themselves, the saga being canon would mean the effects of the law trickled down to even the street-level heroes.

6The MCU Would Have A Darker Tone Built In

Netflix’s Defenders Saga Was Rated TV-MA

While not explicitly a family franchise, the MCU has always been meant for the whole family to enjoy. Promises of tonal shifts have come up in recent years, and delivered through projects like WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, Marvel’s Netflix shows are a completely different story as they all feature a much darker tone than the typical MCU. The shows have some of Marvel’s most violent scenes and many of the characters deal with mature themes, such as Daredevil and his childhood trauma and Jessica Jones with her sexual assault.

If the Defenders have a future in the MCU going forward, the franchise will have to adapt to the characters’ darker stories. The Netflix shows were praised because of the tonal difference to the main MCU, and fans of the characters will not want to see anything less. The violence of the Defenders Saga shows how the bloodiest fights don’t have to happen on a large battlefield, and the mature themes are essential to many of their characters. The MCU should stay true to the Netflix shows’ mature ratings, and trying to turn the characters into more family-friendly versions would be a disservice to their stories.

5Shang-Chi 2 Could Be Iron Fist’s Way Into The MCU Proper

A Shang-Chi Sequel Is All But Confirmed

Among the Phase 5 and Phase 6 slate, the Shang-Chi sequel has yet to be announced. However, the fact that original Kang Dynasty director Destin Daniel Cretton reportedly left the Avengers project to focus on Shang-Chi 2 is seemingly confirmation the film will happen. There are plenty of directions the sequel can go in, such as Shang-Chi finding out more about the power of the rings or Xialing’s takeover of the Ten Rings. With the Defenders becoming canon to the MCU, there is one more route the sequel could take.

Shang-Chi and Iron Fist have mutual respectin the Marvel Comics as they are both martial arts-based heroes whose powers stem from some mystic entity. It’s thought that Shang-Chi already introduced Iron Fist’s potential MCU replacement, but the sequel would actually be a good opportunity to re-introduce the hero altogether. Featuring Iron Fist alongside Shang-Chi in the Shang-Chi sequel would be the easiest way for Danny Rand to make his big screen debut, refreshing audiences’ memories of who the hero is and providing context for those who didn’t watch the Netflix show.

4It Would Be Harder For The MCU To Make Agents Of SHIELD Canon

Agents Of SHIELD Aired On ABC

The possibility that the Defenders are now canon to the MCU pleased many, but fans of the Marvel show Agents of SHIELD were left with something to be desired. The ABC series was Marvel’s first television series and carried over plenty of themes from the main MCU timeline, such as the aftermath of Phil Coulson’s death and HYDRA’s corruption of SHIELD. However, Marvel never truly commented on whether Agents of SHIELD was canon, and the show’s fate is looking much more unlikely now that the Defenders are canon.

3Spider-Man Would Be Sharing New York City With More Heroes

New York City Is Home To The Defenders

Peter Parker’s whole MCU origin story revolves around the fact that he’s a “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.” Peter knows he’s likely not the only superhero in New York City, but he’s definitely one of its most prominent. Spider-Man: No Way Home left him back at square one with the world forgetting about him. Spider-Man will have to work his way back into the public’s good graces, and he’ll have to do so alongside the likes of the Defenders. If both groups continue to operate in New York City, they are bound to cross paths in the MCU eventually.

2Daredevil: Born Again Would Have To Explain Mayor Kingpin Plot Hole

Wilson Fisk Has Been In And Out Of Prison

Alongside Matt Murdock, the villain Kingpin was introduced in Daredevil. Kingpin is one of the first characters from the Netflix shows to appear in the MCU, having a role in Hawkeye and, more recently, Echo. However, if he is to make more MCU appearances, Kingpin’s rocky backstory will have to be addressed.

After Wilson Fisk’s first battle against Daredevil in season 1, the crime lord was sent to prison for four years. He was released after making a deal with the FBI that he would have to be put into protective custody. He was defeated again by Daredevil at the end of season 3, sending Kingpin back to prison. However, he is released by the time of Hawkeye and even wants to run for mayor in Echo. If Kingpin is to be a regular presence going forward, the MCU will have to explain how his prison release was possible in between Daredevil season 3 and Hawkeye.

1Mahershala Ali’s Double MCU Casting May Be Confusing

Ali Has Had Two MCU Roles

The initial casting of Mahershala Ali as Blade in the MCU’s Blade reboot drew excitement from many fans. However, it would not be Ali’s first Marvel role. The actor played Cottonmouth in Luke Cage and if the series is officially canon, that means both Ali’s Blade and Cottonmouth will exist in the same timeline. Actors have played multiple roles in the MCU before, but their first role has been more of a background character. Cottonmouth was a crucial part of Luke Cage season 1 and Blade will be the main protagonist. Especially in the era of variants, Ali’s double casting may get confusing for some MCU viewers.