Marvel Studios may have released a very cool poster for Avengers: Infinity War but they've yet to show off so much as a single official image from the highly anticipated 2018 release. We have, of course, seen a leaked trailer but that wasn't exactly the best quality so we've only been able to gather a certain amount of information from that and recent interviews with the cast and crew of the film.
Taking all that into account, you're probably thinking it's too soon to look ahead to Avengers 4. Well, that's not the case, as we know enough about Infinity War to come up with some exciting theories!
What you'll find below then is a look at eight ways we believe Avengers: Infinity War is going to set up the events of the highly anticipated fourth instalment. From dramatic deaths to bizarre betrayals and crazy character debuts, these will get you seriously psyched about what's coming in May 2019...
8. The New Avengers
Based on what we've heard about Avengers: Infinity War, the focus will primarily be on bringing the original team back together following the events of Captain America: Civil War with the spotlight kept mostly on the likes of Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. That makes sense when you take into account the fact this story has been in the works since the heroes assembled back in 2012 and will reach its conclusion here.
However, it would definitely add up for Infinity War to take them off the board and then introduce us to a team of New Avengers in the currently untitled four movie. After all, heroes like Doctor Strange, Star-Lord, Spider-Man, and Captain Marvel are going to be a huge part of Phase 4 so them coming together as the New Avengers helps usher the Marvel Cinematic Universe into a new era. What's going to happen to the original team? Well, here's one possibility...
7. The Fall Of Earth's Mightiest Heroes
In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tony Stark had a possible glimpse of the future in which he saw his friends dead at his feet and Thanos' hoards invading Earth as the Mad Titan's control over the universe became absolute. What if that comes true here? Fans of the Infinity Gauntlet comic book will know that Thanos wipes out half of The Avengers the second he gets his hand on that powerful weapon so the same thing happening here makes sense.
It is, of course, possible that the heroes are brought back in Avengers 4 but leaving their fate uncertain going into that would be a great way to keep moviegoers hooked and keeps us all talking for the year long gap between these two releases. Casualties in Infinity War are an inevitability and bringing an end to the heroes we all know and love here seriously ups the stakes for those who are left as they look to stop Thanos and bring back their friends.
6. Thanos Wields The Full Might Of The Infinity Gauntlet
Based on what little we've seen from Avengers: Infinity War, it looks like Thanos will have only three of the Infinity Stones by the time he confronts the heroes and flings what looked an awful lot like the remains of a planet at them. Co-director Joe Russo has also confirmed that much of the movie will be spent with The Avengers and Guardians attempting to get to the Stones before Thanos and his children but it seems inevitable that things will wrap up with the Mad Titan being in possession of them all.
The sight of Thanos placing the final Stone onto the Gauntlet and preparing to vanquish his enemies and bring the universe to its knees would be a perfect note to end things on here, especially if the heroes think they've managed to beat him. It's not a cliffhanger ending as such but leaves the door open to his return and what will hopefully be a full on cosmic battle between good and evil in Avengers 4.
5. Captain Marvel Returns
Captain Marvel isn't currently scheduled to make her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut until after the release of Avengers: Infinity War and it's been said that Brie Larson's Carol Danvers won't be making an appearance in the movie. However, the hero arriving to help out The Avengers just when all hope seems to be lost would be a perfect way to introduce the character to moviegoers and generate some serious excitement about her solo outing (which comes out just a couple of months before Avengers 4).
Her movie could then explain where she's been all these years and why Thanos' attack on Earth has led to her return and the desire to get those answers should make a big difference at the box office if Marvel hopes to attract those who have never even heard of Carol to her solo debut. The sight of Captain Marvel showing up would be seriously cool and deserves to happen on a stage as grand as this.
4. The Avengers Are Betrayed
Regardless of whether or not Captain Marvel shows up in Avengers: Infinity War, there's really nothing to say that the Skrulls couldn't. Earth's Mightiest Heroes' plan to bring down the Mad Titan failing at the last minute would make for a devastating loss and it being revealed as the fault of one of their closest allies would serve as a real gut punch to the audience.
Picture this: we see a character like Iron Man or Black Panther is pictured having a conversation with an unknown source on a strange looking device from behind and when the camera pans around, we see that they're actually a Skrull imposter! Captain Marvel could then expand on the concept of the shapeshifting aliens by explaining that they're under the control of the Mad Titan and that Carol Danvers has been his prisoner ever since the events of her 90s set movie. As twists go, this could work really well and sets up even bigger things to come beyond Avengers 4.
3. A New Threat Emerges
I'm willing to admit that this is a long shot but what if Thanos is defeated by the time Avengers: Infinity War wraps up and another even more dangerous villain makes their presence felt in the closing moments of the movie? Marvel Studios has seemingly been making a lot of behind the scenes deals with Fox lately so I would not be at all surprised if Galactus - played by Peter Dinklage - appeared right at the end to devour a weakened Earth.
Now, Josh Brolin has already confirmed that he'll be back in Avengers 4 but that could easily be in a supporting role of some sort similar to what happened to Thanos following the events of the Infinity Gauntlet comic book. I wouldn't expect this to lead to the debut of the Fantastic Four but Galactus arriving in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is at least somewhat possible. Well, probably not but a bit of wishful thinking never hurt anyone!
2. Spider-Man Dies
The leaked trailer for Avengers: Infinity War showed what appeared to be a mortally wounded Spider-Man apologising to Tony Stark. While it's likely he's just injured and that this is where his cameo in the movie ends, it's also possible that the wall-crawler falls in battle. Now, he's obviously going to be resurrected, but a major character death like this would keep moviegoers on the edge of their seats for a year and ups the stakes for the sequel as Iron Man and company realise that the only way to bring the youngster back is to stop Thanos.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has already said that the Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel takes place almost immediately after Avengers 4 and sets the tone for Phase 4 so something as huge as this happening to Peter Parker will definitely change his outlook moving forward and would have a serious impact on his relationship with Aunt May.
1. Hope
Many of the suggestions in this post have been admittedly grim but what if Avengers: Infinity War ends on a far more positive note? Even if Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the Guardians of the Galaxy are defeated by Thanos, them coming together to take the attack to the Mad Titan in the sequel would be a great way to set the stage for what comes next (it would also be good to have Steve and Tony finally put their differences aside at this point).
Personally, I have an idea of how this should go down; with some of The Avengers like Thor and Spider-Man defeated, Captain America - back in his red, white, and blue uniform - should walk up to Mjolnir, pick it up from the ground and finally declare, "Avengers Assemble!" This would be a cool note to end things on and stands a chance of being the most iconic moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date.
Which of these moments would you guys like to see take place in Avengers: Infinity War to set up the events of Avengers 4? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below.