7) S.H.I.E.L.D. Returns
It wouldn’t be a proper MCU movie without everyone’s favourite bald, one-eyed, seemingly immortal secret agent, so it comes as little surprise when Nick Fury pops up in Hawkeye’s barn during the middle act. However, those distracted by the fact that Hawkeye owns and probably drives a tractor (!?) may have missed how important this return really is for the MCU.
Despite claiming that he is no longer of importance, Fury somehow manages to undo at least some of the damage Hydra caused to S.H.I.E.L.D. during Captain America: The Winter Soldier, returning for the final battle in a new helicarrier with a skeleton crew of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, new and old.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was an integral force in the MCU prior to its dismantlement and was also key in the formation of the Avengers themselves, so Fury’s return will have a significant impact on all of the Marvel movies set for release in phase three. Time will tell exactly how this change will affect Marvel’s TV show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., depending partially on how much the studio are willing to integrate their small and big screen ventures, but regardless, Fury’s return to power will play a particularly important role in Captain America: Civil War upon its release next year.