TAGGED AS: Marvel, Superheroes
After all the waiting, there is finally a trailer for the fourth Avengers film, now revealed to be called Avengers: Endgame. But the secrecy around that title extends into the trailer, with its brief glimpses of the post-Infinity War Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nevertheless, we’ve pored over the 2:25 trailer to glean some things we now know about Avengers: Endgame.
(Photo by Marvel Studios)
Endgame itself is something of a revelation, though it was one of the subtitles people have been guessing since Avengers: Infinity War came out earlier this year. And though Infinity War was marketed as being “the end” of the story begun in the first Avengers film, this appears to be the true conclusion, with the remaining characters trying to piece together some sort of a future — or, indeed, a response to Thanos (Josh Brolin).
As it happens, “Endgame” is a pretty popular title in comics. In Marvel’s history, it has been used on a number of occasions, notably as the name of an X-Factor storyline featuring Apocalypse and as the title of the story featured in Avengers #71. In the latter instance, a handful of Avengers found themselves in 1941, only to tussle with the Captain America, Namor, and the Human Torch of that era — a group collectively known as The Invaders.
Which would be a good group name for a coalition seeking to undo what Thanos has wrought. Additionally, many believe time travel will be key to stopping Thanos, so maybe Endgame will feature some sort of trip to previous films.
(Photo by Marvel Studios)
Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) is back in action as we catch a brief glimpse of him cleaning off a sword following a rain-soaked battle. While his choice of weapons might seem strange for those expecting Hawkeye to join the fight, Clint’s comic book counterpart did the same thing in the wake of the Civil War storyline to become Ronin.
Curiously enough, a young woman named Kate Bishop became Hawkeye during Clint’s brief death (long story) and his time as Ronin. But the chances an MCU version of Kate will show up are slim. Also of interest to stories further down the road, Clint was still Ronin when the Skrull secret invasion occurred. Considering the Skrulls are about to become a part of the MCU in Captain Marvel, it may be worth noting whether or not Ronin is a permanent switch.
Meanwhile, we’ll take MCU Clint’s shift to Ronin as confirmation that his family turned to dust during the Snap.
(Photo by Marvel Studios)
Okay, this might be a shallow one, but Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) beard inspired as much of a following as Cap does himself. It reflected his status as a fugitive in the period between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Also, Evans just looks great with a beard.
But the loss of the facial hair suggests the film will not pick up immediately after the Snap; instead, it seems some time has passed. How much time remains to be seen, but Black Widow’s (Scarlett Johansson) confirmation that Thanos completed his objective to wipe out half the universe would take some time to substantiate. Let’s assume she sent Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper) out into the universe to investigate.
One theory suggests the MCU has moved in real time between Infinity War and Endgame, with the universe adjusting to the deep losses for a whole year . But others suggest even more time will have passed before Endgame begins. Either way, picking up a ways after the Snap allows the event to have meaning even if the Avengers reverse it.
(Photo by Marvel Studios)
Despite his grief, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has commandeered the Benatar, the ship left behind on Titan by the Guardians. Unfortunately, it seems he has no clue how to navigate it or use its FTL (faster than light) capabilities, as we see him recording a sad message for Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) about his impending doom. Nonetheless, the fact he found a way off Titan is a positive sign, as the Avengers will presumably need an FTL-capable ship to reach Thanos on his quaint garden planet.
But it is unclear if Nebula (Karen Gillan) is also aboard. Despite the shot of her remembering the Guardians, Tony’s message to Pepper suggests isolation. Are they on the same ship, or did she abandon Tony in the far reaches of space? The latter is certainly a possibility as her thirst for vengeance has no doubt been renewed by her father’s success. Also, she would know how to take the ship faster than light, so her absence would explain why Tony is adrift.
Then there’s the ship Cap and Black Widow are on in the moments before the title reveal. It could be a quinjet or the Benatar, but considering their talk of the plan, they must be in space. Then again, maybe Thor used Stormbringer’s Bifrost ability to move a quinjet to their target.
Come to think of it, he could use that ability to save Tony. Unless, of course, Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) rescues him first.
(Photo by Marvel Studios)
And perhaps in the most appropriate stinger ever featured in a trailer, Cap and Black Widow receive an unexpected visitor at the Avengers HQ — the one and only Scott Lang (Paul Rudd)!
When we last saw Scott, he was exploring the Quantum Realm as Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) all turned to dust. The Ant-Man and the Wasp stinger scene evoked memories of Infinity War and left the viewer wondering how Scott would escape his pickle. The movie even twisted the knife with a final piece of on-screen text: “Ant-Man and the Wasp will return?”
So, we’re happy to see him at full size again. Some suggested his imprisonment in the Quantum Realm would somehow help the Avengers defeat Thanos. But maybe his escape will prove more useful.
But really, we just can’t wait to hear him explain how he got out while still trying to contain his excitement in working with Cap.
Thanks to the trailer’s expert editing, there is still plenty we don’t know. Will Bruce Banner (Paul Ruffalo) and the Hulk ever reach an accord? Will Captain Marvel come back to Earth? Will the team use time travel and set up a Bill & Ted style time hack? And, perhaps more importantly, is the “Endgame” of the title the one Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) predicted, or something else entirely?
Maybe we’ll learn some of these answers in the inevitable second trailer. Avengers: Endgame opens on April 26, 2019.
