AVENGERS 4: 10 Epic Cameos From Fox's Marvel Universe We'd Love To See (And How They Could Happen)
Avengers 4 reshoots have been finished and the Disney/Fox merger should be complete by January, so we're now taking a look at the Fox-owned Marvel characters who could be squeezed in at the last minute...
An Avengers 4 trailer could be on the horizon and with reports swirling about the Fox/Disney merger being completed months before any of us expected, there's obviously a lot of excitement surrounding Marvel Studios' plans for both the X-Men and Fantastic Four characters and the Avengers: Infinity War sequel. The questions on everyone's lips, though, is whether or not we're getting a crossover.
Reshoots have just been finished and it's highly unlikely Marvel will have spent the time and money shooting anything too big, especially as the deal could fall through and render that totally useless.
However, something could be added at a later date (The Avengers after-credits scene was shot the day of the premiere a week after the movie had come out in a lot of international locations) and that's what we're taking a look at here. As well as breaking down the ten characters we're most excited to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we're also looking at how they could be introduced in Avengers 4.
So, to take a look, all you guys have to do is click on the "View List" button below to see the full list.
Wolverine
Fox chose to end Wolverine's story with last year's Logan and while we've all wondered how the studio would go about replacing Hugh Jackman, it turns out that they'll never get the opportunity. There's no way Marvel will sit on the character, though, and what will be interesting is seeing whether or not they try to convince Hugh Jackman to return or start from scratch with a new solo outing for the mutant.
How It Could Happen: In an after-credits scene, "Madripoor" flashes up on screen and we see a gang of crooks trying to figure out what to do with some tech they've salvaged from Thanos' attack on Earth. Suddenly, a figure approaches them (we only ever see him from behind) and the camera then focuses on his hand before we hear a familiar "Snikt" and the screen goes black. Wolverine has arrived!
Sentinels
We may have seen the Sentinels in X-Men: Days of Future Past but let's face it, those were pretty poor imitations of the versions from the comic books. With humanity rocked by Thanos' attack and scared about the sudden influx of "muties," skyscraper-sized Sentinels being developed makes perfect sense and seeing the robots square off with a new version of the X-Men promises to be a truly epic sight.
How It Could Happen: This could be as simple as us seeing some massive robots being developed by Stark Industries which Tony Stark never gets the opportunity to use against Thanos because they're simply not finished in time. Assuming he dies during this adventure, it's possible that whoever takes charge of Stark Industries in his absence could use his tech for nefarious means against mutants.
Fantastic Four
You don't need us to tell you that this iconic foursome is on its way home but what's the best way to introduce them? Personally, I think they should once again be portrayed as astronauts who head into outer space and come back with remarkable powers with their origin possibly tied to the ramifications of Thanos' attack. Don't make them teenagers, though, and focus on them being a family right away.
How It Could Happen: As I mentioned above, Marvel would be smart to follow the comic books here by giving the team a faithful origin story which doesn't overcomplicate things in the same manner as past attempts. As for how they could be shown in Avengers 4, something as simple as a news report playing in the background of a scene and the mention of four astronauts going missing could do it!
Galactus
So, Kevin Feige is totally planning on a Galactus after-credits scene at the end of Avengers 4 now, right? Sadly, it may be a little too soon for that but the Marvel Studios President has wanted to get his hands on the villain for years now, so expect him to be a big priority when the Fantastic Four does eventually arrive in the MCU. Honestly, there's a chance the world eater will beat them to debuting in this world.
How It Could Happen: While a physical appearance from Galactus is almost certainly off the table, there are plenty of ways Marvel could still tease his impending arrival during this movie. His name could be mentioned or Thanos could refer to an "Eater of Worlds." Something I think would be cool is an after-credits scene showing Earth and the edge of a silver surfboard in the corner of the screen.
Annihilus
Annihilus is a villain with a lot of potential both in the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (imagine a big screen adaptation of the Annihilation storyline) and within the world of the Fantastic Four. We've been to the Quantum Realm but this villain could take us to the Negative Zone, somewhere which opens the door to a huge number of brand new storytelling possibilities for Marvel.
How It Could Happen: With the Avengers 4 title rumoured to be Avengers: Annihilation, there's a very good chance that Marvel Studios has done an Ego the Living Planet style deal with Fox to use him here as someone who will pose an even greater threat to the universe than Thanos. That seems like a logical way to introduce the villain but I'm not sure if it will end up being too much for one single movie.
Professor X
When Marvel Studios introduces the X-Men, they're going to face a pretty steep challenge. After all, it's going to take a lot for them to differentiate their version of the heroes from what Fox has done and putting them in comic accurate costumes won't be enough. As for their leader, whoever plays Charles will have big shoes to fill after the performances from Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy.
How It Could Happen: This is a tricky one, especially as Avengers 4 is coming out before Dark Phoenix. Any sort of physical appearance would confuse moviegoers even if it's just the back of a bald head watching the news! Instead, some sort of vague reference to a Professor in Salem Center might just be enough to grab the interest of hardcore fans but I think it would take a lot to make this cameo a reality!
Doctor Doom
One of the most exciting acquisitions for Marvel, Doctor Doom is a villain who has been screwed up by Fox on three separate occasions and while Noah Hawley's planned solo movie could have redeemed him, we'll be much better off seeing this villain make his presence felt in the MCU. The question is, why have we not heard about Latveria and its evil dictator before now? That will need to be explained.
How It Could Happen: While it would obviously be good to see Doctor Doom plague the Fantastic Four in that eventual reboot, Fox has tried that three times and it would actually be a smarter move to make Victor someone who has ties to that team but is a threat to the entire MCU. In Avengers 4, I can easily imagine an Easter Egg of some sort about a dictator being in charge of a country known as Latveria.
Super-Skrull
We know that Marvel will finally introduce the Skrulls in Captain Marvel next year but there's one type that remains off-limits to them for the time being. Those are, of course, the Super-Skrulls, shape-shifting aliens with the power to take on a number of superpowers. Their arrival in the MCU leaves the door open to these aliens being revisited and us getting a totally faithful Secret Invasion adaptation.
How It Could Happen: A lot of rumours are swirling that we'll see the Skrulls in Avengers 4 following their introduction in Captain Marvel with Hawkeye fighting them off in Japan after they've invaded a vulnerable Earth. Marvel could have easily struck a deal to use the Super-Skrull in this movie and in terms of how he could be used, I'd think that he might just be someone on the Mad Titan's side!
Deadpool
The Merc with the Mouth's future is surprisingly uncertain despite the fact he's starred in two hugely popular and financially successful movies. Will Disney really launch an R-Rated franchise set in the MCU or will Deadpool remain in his own bubble? That's hard to imagine, especially as the X-Men are being rebooted but Kevin Feige will no doubt find a place for both him and Ryan Reynolds soon.
How It Could Happen: Honestly, I don't see this actually happening but it would be a hell of a lot of fun! Marvel Studios and Ryan Reynolds could easily throw something together at the last minute, with the Merc with the Mouth addressing fans the same way he has in so many promo videos and even the first movie's after-credits scene. What could he say? Something funny about a reboot, no doubt!
Kang The Conqueror
There's a lot of speculation that Marvel can already use Kang due to his status as an Avengers villain but much of his history is wrapped up with the Fantastic Four so I would like to see him introduced there before taking on a larger role as a MCU wide big bad. It's about time that he's brought to life on the big screen and the door is now wide open to a truly comic accurate take on the character.
How It Could Happen: This is a tough one, especially as Kang the Conqueror is a very complicated villain with an origin story that's extremely convoluted. Assuming time travel does end up playing a role in Avengers 4, there's a chance that he could show up in the after-credits scene to address some sort of anomaly created by Earth's Mightiest Heroes which he now intends to exploit for his own means.