WARNING: Very clear spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4 ahead.
Avengers: Infinity War indeed set the stage for the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ten-year journey in dramatic fashion. But at the end of the day, it also came with some expected conclusions that set the stage for Avengers 4 in 2019. If you haven’t seen the film, turn away now or get spoiled. If you don’t care, please read forward and find out something you likely already know.
So as many noticed after seeing the film, the surviving heroes after Thanos snapped half of the universe out of existence ended up being the original Avengers from the initial movie back in 2012. There were a few exceptions like Ant-Man, Rocket, Nebula, War Machine, and Captain Marvel — yet to be introduced — but the central core all made it through. There is a good reason according to Kevin Feige over at i09, one that many likely suspected after walking out of the theater:
“I think for a film series that is going on 10 years and is gearing towards a conclusion with Avengers 4, which you don’t usually have in these kind of movies, you can sort of do the math,” Feige told io9. “And realize it’s the original Avengers that are left.”
It also represents that “passing of the torch” that many have been suspecting since Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans are likely done as Iron Man and Captain America — at least for now. We also know that Captain Marvel is set to be the face of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward, so having the focus being on the originals in Avengers 4 gives them a chance to bow out when the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been.
There is officially less than a year to speculate about what will happen, with two other Marvel films in between that date to hold fans over. Maybe they’ll give us a few more tidbits.
(Via i09)