Should Marvel Have Intertwined Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and the Punisher in Avengers: Endgame?

Avengers: Endgame, a blockbuster film that wrapped up the Infinity Saga, was a masterclass in narrative coherence and high-stakes action. However, the question of whether Marvel could have enhanced the story by including some of its beloved Netflix characters Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and the Punisher remains a subject of debate among fans and critics.

Pros of Inclusion

Expanded Universe: Integrating these characters into the final battle of Avengers: Endgame would have underscored the universe's interconnectedness. It would have bridged the gap between the street-level heroes of the Marvel Netflix series and the Avengers, creating a seamless narrative flow. This could have also added a sense of continuity and completeness to the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Character Dynamics: Each of these characters brings a unique set of skills and personalities to the table. Adding them to the battle would have introduced diverse interactions and dynamics, enriching the emotional and narrative complexity of the film.

Fan Service: Many fans eagerly awaited these characters' integration into the larger MCU. Their inclusion would have been a highly rewarding moment, providing a sense of closure for fans of the Netflix series while also expanding the scope of the Avengers' mission.

Cons of Inclusion

Narrative Focus: Endgame was meticulously crafted to focus on the original Avengers and pivotal characters from the broader MCU. Adding more heroes could have diluted the story and distracted from the emotional arcs of key characters that needed resolution. The narrative might have been thinner and less cohesive if the screen time was divided among too many characters.

Power Scaling: These characters' powers and abilities are significantly lower compared to the Avengers. Their inclusion might have felt less impactful in a cosmic battle against Thanos, potentially undermining the gravity and stakes of the final showdown.

Screen Time: With multiple heroes already involved, integrating these additional characters could have been challenging. Finding adequate screen time for the Netflix heroes might have led to underdeveloped appearances, potentially detracting from their impact and fan service.

Legal and Practical Considerations

Marvel likely faced several legal and practical challenges in including these characters. The rights to the Netflix series were still uncertain at the time, which could have led to a legal mess. Moreover, these characters were part of a separate universe initially, and the decision on how they fit into the canon was still a work in progress. Integrating them would have required detailed planning and rewriting of existing storylines, which might not have been feasible without significant time and resources.

Additionally, many viewers were more familiar with the well-known Avengers characters. Incorporating lesser-known characters from the Netflix series might have detracted from the overall storytelling, potentially diluting the impact of the final battle.

Conclusion

While the inclusion of these characters could have been thrilling for fans and added depth to the narrative, it may have complicated the story and pacing of Avengers: Endgame. Marvel chose to focus on the core characters that had been central to the MCU's overarching storyline, which allowed for a more cohesive and emotionally resonant conclusion.

No matter what, we can imagine these characters were in the final battle, just out of sight, fighting off other threats. It's a thought experiment that fuels the community's love for these characters and the larger Marvel universe.