Back when Avengers: Endgame hit theaters, it felt like the true end of an era. Not just because characters died or retired, but because the entire tone of the MCU shifted. For over a decade, we followed a cast of heroes who defined the franchise. So when people ask if Secret Wars could become the next Endgame, I think they’re asking the wrong question. It’s not about matching the scale. It’s about deciding what comes after.

And Secret Wars might just be the perfect closing act.

The Avengers Era is Over

Let’s be honest: the original Avengers were lightning in a bottle. Most of those actors had long contracts, and while some were established (Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson), others like Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans were rising stars. Ten years of interconnected storytelling is a long time for any actor. So it made sense that Endgame was the swan song. It was emotional. It was earned. And it gave characters like Tony and Steve the closure they deserved.

Secret Wars: A Hard or Soft Reboot?

There’s been a lot of speculation about Secret Wars acting as a reboot point for the MCU. Some fans expect a multiverse explosion that resets the timeline. I’d prefer a soft reboot—one that lets Marvel step back and ask:

• If we had full rights to every character from the start, how would we do this differently?
• Who would we lead with?
• What stories are worth retelling in a modern context?

The 2015 Secret Wars comic event did exactly that. It reshaped the Marvel Universe, combining timelines, retiring outdated plots, and modernizing origin stories. A similar approach on-screen could do wonders, especially if they take the time to rethink the pacing and character priorities.

Take a Breather (But They Probably Won’t)

Let’s be real. Disney isn’t taking a break. But in an ideal world? The MCU could pause for a year or two, then return with a refined vision. That would allow space for fans to breathe and studios to recalibrate. But if they do press forward, there’s a smart way to keep things alive:

• Let some characters become legacy roles (like James Bond)
• Recast as needed every 10 years without starting from zero
• Keep continuity fluid—no need to retell Spider-Man’s origin for the fifth time

This would allow Marvel to keep Peter Parker in his twenties forever, while still updating the cast.

Will It Ever Match Endgame?

Probably not. Endgame had ten years of build-up. It paid off tiny moments, like "on your left" from Winter Soldier, and even tied back to Age of Ultron with Cap lifting Mjolnir. Everything meant something. It felt like a reward for being a fan since the beginning. Secret Wars faces a different challenge. Fans are more skeptical now. There’s multiverse fatigue. The narrative tension just isn’t there in the same way. Trying to replicate Endgame could backfire if it comes off as forced or unearned. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be important.

A Universe of Many Lanes

The MCU needs to return to what comics have done for decades:

• Let each hero have their lane
• Treat shows and movies like individual comic runs
• Keep everything connected, but not dependent

That way, you don’t have to watch Daredevil to understand Spider-Man, but you can if you want to. That balance of independence and crossover is what makes comics thrive. The same can work for movies. And hey, why not explore different timelines, eras, and styles? Give us a retro Ant-Man set in the 1960s. Show us more of Cap's adventures pre-ice. Go bold. Take risks. That's how the MCU became what it is in the first place.

Secret Wars Can Be the Reset We Need

Whether it’s a hard reboot or a subtle reshuffle, Secret Wars could mark the true end of the Infinity Saga legacy—and the start of something entirely new. It just needs the guts to do it right. Until Next Time.