Before we start this, I just want to say I’m skeptical that Whedon will, in fact, completely kill off an Avenger. For one thing, the last cast member he bumped off in this franchise got his own TV series. For another, yes, killing a beloved character is Whedon’s trademark move, but even he has to realize fans are expecting this one. That said, if an Avenger is going to eat it… who’s it gonna be?
Who We Can Rule Out
There’s a force mightier than any supervillain, and that’s a movie contract. For example, thanks to the announced cast of Captain America: Civil War, we know that Cap, Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, and The Falcon all make it through. That last is helped by the fact that Anthony Mackie didn’t even know he was in the movie. Similarly, thanks to Thor: Ragnarok being in the works, we know that Thor’s safe, at least until Avengers: Infinity War.
Who’s On The Block
So of the list, that gives us Maria Hill, The Vision, Nick Fury, the Hulk, War Machine, and Quicksilver. Breaking it down by odds:
The Hulk: 200-1
While it’d actually be great if Whedon had the chutzpah to kill off a popular cast member, Disney would have to pay off the other four films Ruffalo is signed for, or work him in using cheesy flashbacks.
Or come to think of it, have him come back from the dead at the last minute. Still, he sells too many toys, so probably not.
Nick Fury: 100-1
As for Samuel L. Jackson, this will be the seventh movie on his nine-film contract; he may not be confirmed for any other movies, but it’s hard to believe Disney would just pay off his contract, or he wouldn’t fight to keep a sweet gig.
The Vision: 50-1
I tend to rank new character deaths low because they just won’t have as much impact. But I can see the Vision pulling it out and taking one for the team, which would also explain why Disney was shy about working him into any marketing materials. Still, it seems unlikely.
War Machine: 25-1
Normally I’d say “So long, Rhodey,” but Joss Whedon is at least self-aware enough to not follow the rule of the Black guy dying first, and Cheadle’s rumored to be in Civil War. That said, he’s a character who brings joy and levity to anything he’s in, and a fan favorite, and that is a surefire way to have Joss Whedon deal you a sucking chest wound at the worst possible moment.
Maria Hill: 10-1
She’s a long-running character, audiences know her well, and killing her would up the emotional stakes while offering almost no actual effect on the plot. On the negative side, that would essentially be repeating the Coulson death from the first movie, and one hopes Whedon isn’t just hitting the same plot beats. Still, I hope Cobie Smulders has a new gig lined up, just in case.
Quicksilver: 5-1
I’m torn about this one. It’s a little strange that Wanda Maximoff will be appearing in other Marvel movies, but Aaron Taylor-Johnson won’t be. That may simply be a function of his career; he’s one of about a dozen white guys with buzz cuts Hollywood loves to cast in everything these days (see also: Sam Worthington, Jai Courtney.)
Similarly, killing off Quicksilver isn’t likely to have much impact with the audience, because if he’s written correctly, the audience will be rooting for him to die anyway. That said, a good old-fashioned heroic sacrifice isn’t out of the question, and it would also rather handily spare Disney any possible lawsuits from Fox over the strange legal position Quicksilver happens to be in.
So, yeah, he’s the most likely. Of course, everyone might survive! We don’t know! Maybe Whedon won’t go there. Well, Ultron’s gonna die. But otherwise!
