The first trailer for “Avengers: Infinity War” arrived this morning, and it was every bit as epic as fans were hoping. With nearly every character from the MCU swinging through for an appearance (except Hawkeye), it’s the culmination of a decade of groundwork by Marvel. However, it looks like we might have to say goodbye to some of our favorite heroes.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have been a key part of Marvel’s recent success, and the pair reveal that whatever the comic book studio has planned for the future, they’re not working on it. But it does sound like they consulted with the powers that be (Kevin Feige) to determine who they could send to the grave in the upcoming ‘Avengers’ movies.
“We’re not participating in any thought whatsoever about what happens after these movies. So we know who we’re allowed to kill, and that’s about it. I don’t even think Marvel had any ideas about where they would go after [‘Avengers 3’ and ‘4’]. It’s not an end for all of these characters; it’s an end for some of these characters. So some of these characters will go on. So it’s more complicated, that’s why it’s not a clean ending,” Anthony Russo told Vanity Fair.
So, who’s gonna get the axe? Well, it might be worth noting that after the ‘Avengers’ movies, the contracts will be up for Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye). Sending one or more of them out in a blaze of heroic glory, might be a path that’s been considered. But as Anthony Russo notes, some of the characters will stick around, and I’d bet good money Robert Downey Jr. will keep cashing that Marvel money as long as he can (and perhaps become like Stan Lee, popping by for a quick cameo in future efforts, while the storyline moves on).
Even the normally cagey Feige can barely keep contained about what lies ahead for the franchise.
“How can you have both an ongoing cinematic universe that continues to make films and, at the same time, occasionally bring things to a head? Something you’ve never really seen in superhero films is a conclusion. Is a finale. You’ve seen those in ‘Lord of the Rings‘ films. You’ve seen those in ‘Harry Potter‘ films, in ‘Star Wars.’ ‘Logan‘ did it a little bit with that character. We thought it would be important to bring the current three-Phase, 22-movie current series to a conclusion,” he explained. “How do I say this? There will be two distinct periods between everything before ‘Avengers 4‘ and everything after. I know it will not be in ways people are expecting.”
Lastly, need some more evidence that “Avengers: Infinity War” might break your heart? Just read this official synopsis, which paints a picture of a very bleak adventure ahead:
An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.
“Avengers: Infinity War” arrives on May 4, 2018.