Unfinished Movie Plotlines and the Return of Fallen Characters in Cinematic Universes

In the realm of cinema, the journey to a film’s conclusion often necessitates the resolution of various narrative threads. Typically, these involve multiple storylines or character arcs that require closure on multiple levels. However, this closure is not always provided. There are instances when these story elements remain unresolved, either intentionally or inadvertently, leaving significant aspects of the narrative without a proper conclusion. This can be especially frustrating for audiences who have invested considerable time into a movie or series, as they hope for a definitive ending to the characters’ stories.

In some cases, leaving storylines open-ended can be a deliberate narrative choice, while in others, it may result from insufficient attention given to character arcs. This lack of conclusion can be particularly unsettling for viewers who have developed an emotional connection to the characters and find themselves wondering about their fate after the credits roll.

Among cinematic universes known for resurrecting characters, comic book movies often mirror the comic format where death is rarely permanent. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a prime example, with characters like Bucky Barnes, Loki, Vision, and others witnessing a return from demise in some capacity. Despite many resurrections, certain deaths remain conclusive, leaving ambiguity regarding which fate awaits characters like Wanda Maximoff.

Toward the end of «Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,» Wanda Maximoff appeared to perish after destroying Mount Wundagore. Agatha All Along on Disney+ suggests that within the MCU, Wanda is believed dead. However, the show’s creator, Jac Schaeffer, disclosed that Marvel restricted the use of the term «dead» for Wanda, indicating that her status might be left open-ended intentionally. Rumors persist about a standalone Scarlet Witch film, but the character’s future remains uncertain.

This phenomenon of resurrections and uncertain demises extends to the Star Wars universe as well. Characters previously thought deceased, such as Boba Fett, Darth Maul, and Emperor Palpatine, have re-emerged, sparking speculation about others like Mace Windu. In «Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,» Windu was seemingly killed, yet his death was never confirmed on screen, leading to ongoing speculation about his fate.

The precedent set by returning characters amidst audience speculation raises questions about other unresolved stories. Mace Windu, played by Samuel L. Jackson, remains a candidate for a potential Disney+ series, though the success of such a venture is uncertain given past ventures on the platform.