29 Examples of Theme and Symbolism in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
![29 Examples of Theme and Symbolism in the Marvel Cinematic Universe](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/3/857303_320x180.jpg)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe gets a lot of flak. We’ve heard it all before: The movies feel like they’re off an assembly line, mostly made up of CGI characters throwing CGI do-dads at one another, and replacing genuine thrills with cameos from some guys who were also in a different movie that one time.
But is that really all that’s going on in the Marvel universe? Or is there secretly some substance and unifying themes buried under all of that glossy, evenly lit popcorn spectacle? We’d argue there is!
Phase Four of the MCU, in particular, has two main themes that permeates each of the feature films and television series: Doubles and legacy. Following the events of 2019’s Endgame, it makes sense that the various characters would be left wondering what’s next, and what they’ll leave behind. Also multiverses. So many multiverses.
Doctor Strange 2's Whole Deal
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS A kaleidoscope of characters of all different faces but the same name collide in this horror-superhero film. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/7/857297.jpg)
Ms. Marvel gains powers
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four MS. MARVEL A fan girl dresses as her favorite superhero once she finds out she has powers of her own. CRACKED COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/6/857296.jpg)
All the Spider-Men
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four SPIDER-MEN The Spider-Verse is open to a legion of duplicates in No Way Home. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/5/857295.jpg)
"Marvel" Is a Popular Name
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four THE MARVELS Star, surrogate daughter, and fangirl Marvels unite in this new film. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/4/857294.jpg)
Wandavision Ends With Two Visions
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four WANDAVISION The Visions collided in this show featuring twins with the powers of their mom and uncle, respectively. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/3/857293.jpg)
Too Many Lokis
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four LOKI Too many Lokis is how the entire MCU began. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/2/857292.jpg)
A New Avengers Team?
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four THE YOUNG AVENGERS The Young Avengers are assembling. GRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/0/857290.jpg)
Hawkeye's Got a Pal
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four HAWKEYE Old Hawkeye, meet new Hawkeye. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/1/857291.jpg)
Echo
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four ECHO The hero's power is analyzing and copying others' powers. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/8/857288.jpg)
NEW BLADE???
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM BLADE Rumor has it Marvel wants original Blade Wesley Snipes back for an undisclosed role](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/9/857289.jpg)
Loki's Future
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM DANGER LOKI Loki must contend with his future's legacy on the world, and learn to become who he truly wants to be as the second Loki in the MCU (and counting).](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/7/857287.jpg)
Rebelling against your parents
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy GRACKED.COM ETERNALS The Eternals deal with the loss of a matriarch and rebel against their parents in this film (that covers same ground as Runaways, but with an actual budget).](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/4/857284.jpg)
Carrying on Cap's Legacy
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM 2017 AL THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER Sam and Bucky contend with a Captain America-less world, and must find out who they are without him. Turns out? They're Captain America! Three of them.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/2/857282.jpg)
Ant-Man & Ant-Man & Wasp & Wasp
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Ant-Man and The Wasp are joined by Ant- Man and the Wasp as a legacy Ant trains his daughter to become a superhero. ISC IG 8 ATI Vital](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/6/857286.jpg)
Is Doctor Strange starting a school?
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM STRANGE ACADEMY? Doctor Strange's magical academy may be coming to the MCU, given the amount of students Strange has been taking in.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/5/857285.jpg)
Loki learns from other Lokis
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM LOKI Loki is about who you are and who you could be, and the effect you can have on all of existence. (Also how if you meet your clone, you will definitely fight and bone.)](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/3/857283.jpg)
A New Thor Enters The Chat!
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Jane Foster taught Thor what it means to be a human. Now he can teach her what it means to be a god (and an Avenger) as she takes on the mantle of Thor.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/1/857281.jpg)
Spider-Man learns about previous Spider-Men
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM PUBLIC ENEMY # SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Peter learns from his predecessors what it means to be Spider-Man, and ends his origin story poor and friendless (and Starkless) in New York City.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/0/857280.jpg)
Kang the Conqueror
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four KANG THE CONQUEROR Kang (and all his ultra-universal variants) are here. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/4/857274.jpg)
Loki's parallel universe
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four LOKI Loki falls into a parallel universe, with its own duplicate TVA, complete with its own Mobius. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/9/857279.jpg)
Alternate Universe Heroes
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four WHAT IF What if every MCU character had a double? But that double is, like, a cowboy or something. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/6/857276.jpg)
Moon Knight is mostly doubles!
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four MOON KNIGHT Just doubles aren't enough here. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/5/857275.jpg)
She-Hulk takes over a couple jobs
![Doubles in MCU's Phase Four SHE-HULK She-Hulk is taking over Hulk duties from Bruce Banner and lawyer duties from Matt Murdock. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/8/857278.jpg)
Wanda's Children
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM WANDAVISION Billy and Tommy have Quicksilver's Speed and Wanda's Magic. (Billy also takes Black Widow's place as an Avenger with a crush on a Hulk.) 1210](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/3/857273.jpg)
Everyone Iron Man Left Behind
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM IRON MAN'S LEGACY Face of the MCU Tony Stark's place in the MCU has been inherited by other characters. Douchebag inventor](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/6/9/857269.jpg)
Is Peter still dealing with his Dad?
![CRACKED.COM MCU Phase Four and Legacy ROLOGHY adidas GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL. 3 The new Guardians film and special are rumored to be bringing in more Ravagers as the successors to the Guardians, named the Annihilators. REN D 3D DOLBY CINEMA ASS MAX](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/7/857277.jpg)
Moon Knight's Russian Doll
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM Previous Moon Knight MOON KNIGHT Current Moon Knight It's a matryoshka doll of legacy characters. Prospective Moon Knight](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/1/857271.jpg)
Shang-Chi & His Sister
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM SHANG-CHI Shang-Chi and his sister to take on the mantle of the Bearer of the Ten Rings and the Leader of the Ten Rings respectively in this film all about family.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/2/857272.jpg)
Hawkeye's Legacy
![MCU Phase Four and Legacy CRACKED.COM HAWKEYE Yelena and Kate's friendship blooms in this series about their previous heroes (which features a historical musical based on one of them).](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/7/0/857270.jpg)