Avengers: Infinity War was the biggest superhero movie of all-time but the signs are all pointing to Avengers 4 being even bigger and more spectacular. In recent months (and even before the first instalment of this two-part story was released), we've heard an awful lot about what's to come in the sequel whether that's come in the form of rumours, spoilers, leaks, or confirmed details from Marvel.
Now, in the second part of a series of features (almost) as epic as Avengers 4, we're breaking down every single piece of information which has been released to bring you a definitive guide to the film.
From some pretty huge rumours which have done the rounds to details on key shooting locations featuring characters like Thor, R.E.S.C.U.E., and Hela to a lot of unexpected returns, you'll find it all here along with behind the scenes information and interviews pointing to where this story goes next. So, to take a look at these Avengers 4 details, click on the "View List" button below to check them out.
The Return Of Kaecilius
A Reddit user with a verified track record of being an extra in movies claimed that he was on set for a sequence where everyone involved had to wear dots which sound identical to the ones Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., and Paul Rudd had on in those set photos revisiting the Battle of New York.
However, what's really interesting is the fact they claim that Mads Mikkelsen was on set as Doctor Strange villain Kaecilius. Between that and talk of Tilda Swinton returning as The Ancient One, it sounds like we could be revisiting the events of that movie or even heading back further in time.
Thor's New Home
Following the events of Avengers: Infinity War, there's no way the God of Thunder doesn't blame himself for what happened. After all, had he gone for the head, Thanos never would have had the opportunity to snap his fingers and murder trillions. In a Scottish village, a building was transformed into the Cormorant & Tun pub, a perfect location for Thor to drown his sorrows after what happened!
Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Scarlett Johansson were all spotted there, while some claimed that Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie) was in the vicinity as well. Perhaps Thor met up with her and the surviving Asgardians on Earth and this Scottish village may be doubling for somewhere in Norway.
Doctor Strange And The Quantum Realm
Tom Holland is well-known for inadvertently dropping spoilers and in one interview, the British actor mentioned Benedict Cumberbatch struggling with lines about the Quantum Realm. Seeing as Ant-Man is trapped there, it seems inevitable that it will end up coming into play in Avengers 4, while set photos have seemingly confirmed that the Sorcerer Supreme and Scott Lang will share scenes together.
It's not just once he's said this either as Holland corrected himself in another interview while talking about Strange and the Quantum Realm, so Avengers 4 may finally provide some answers on that!
The Death Of Captain America
We might as well get to one of the biggest Avengers 4 rumours now, right? A recurring theme in every supposed "leak" is that Chris Evans' Captain America will be killed off in this movie, with one seemingly reliable Reddit user (who dropped some pretty interesting Infinity War tidbits which ended up being correct) claiming that his death comes when he wields Mjolnir in a battle against the Mad Titan.
It would be something of a sacrifice play for Steve Rogers too as he does that to hold the villain off while his fellow Avengers escape to regroup. However, even if this happens at the halfway point, Evans may still have a pivotal role to play as the 2012 version of his character in those time-travel scenes.
The Hulk Meets Rocket
Rocket is the only surviving member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and seeing as he's struck up a friendship with Thor, it should come as no great surprise that he'll ultimately cross paths with the Jade Giant as well. "It’s a very funny relationship that the two of them have," Ruffalo teased. "First of all, it’s the biggest superhero and the smallest. Just keeping them in a frame together is a feat and hilarious in itself." The question is, will this ultimately lead to The Hulk joining up with the Guardians?!
We're Heading To Japan
Set photos have confirmed that Hawkeye will be suiting up as Ronin, while it's been confirmed that part of Atlanta was transformed into Japan for scenes which will pit Clint Barton and Black Widow against a number of gang members. Chances are that these two are now working together; alternatively, Hawkeye's family could have died and Natasha may have travelled to Japan (where he may be working as a mercenary) in order to tell him that The Avengers need his help to set things right.
Have The Skrulls Invaded?
We know that Captain Marvel will introduce the shape-shifting Skrulls to the Marvel Cinematic Universe but a casting call for the Japanese actors who were wanted to play members of the Yakuza mentioned that they need to be comfortable wearing facial prosthetics. As a result, speculation has been running rampant that these gangsters may actually be Skrulls who have invaded Earth now that it is vulnerable. They may also blame The Avengers for Thanos being able to enact his master plan.
It would definitely be interesting seeing this lot show up, especially as it could set the stage for the Secret Invasion storyline to be adapted somewhere down the line, possibly at the end of Phase 4.
The Original Mjolnir
A significant amount of shooting took place at Durham Cathedral with Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, and a stand-in for Rocket all spotted nearby and on set. One random Twitter user even claimed that they spotted Tom Hiddleston and a resurrection for the God of Mischief obviously wouldn't be that major a surprise given Loki's track record in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What's really interesting is the fact that the original Mjolnir was spotted so does that mean Thor manages to rebuild his old weapon or could more time-travel shenanigans be on the way here?
Hayley Atwell May Return As Peggy Carter
We told you in our last post that we may be getting flashbacks to the 1940s or 1960s and it sounds as if those could include Hayley Atwell. When she was asked in an interview about the possibility of showing up in Avengers 4, the actress cryptically replied, "Not that I know of." I'm not sure how she could fit into this story but if we're getting time-travel/flashbacks, Peggy Carter returning adds up.
A Trip To Hel?
Something I didn't mention above is the fact Durham Cathedral was also used to shoot that weird dream sequence in Avengers: Age of Ultron when the hero crossed paths with Heimdall in Hel. Whether or not we're going to revisit that moment is hard to say but one popular fan theory is that Thor will actually travel to Hel where he'll be reunited not only with Loki but his sister Hela as well.
Why he would find it necessary to go there is hard to predict but it would be a neat way to tie Avengers 4 into what Joss Whedon did, finally making that weird, pointless vision make sense in the process.
Professor Hulk Loses An Arm
Bruce Banner was unable to transform into The Hulk in Avengers: Infinity War but promo art has confirmed that we'll finally see the Green Goliath in that movie and that he'll be rocking a brand new suit. Apparently, he'll have that because his intellect has vastly improved since the events of Thor: Ragnarok and he will now be taking on the Professor Hulk persona which will be a huge game changer.
With a huge number of "leakers" claiming that Tony Stark will build his own Infinity Gauntlet, it's said that The Hulk will be the one who ultimately wields that, losing his arm in the process (bear in mind he's not as strong as Thanos and even his arm appeared to be irreparably damaged after the snap).
Thor Is Building An Army
The God of Thunder's subplot will reportedly revolve around him trying to put together an army which he can use to take down Thanos and that could explain why he visits Hel to recruit one. What we do know is that Marvel was looking for extras to play "Vikings" in Avengers 4, with all of them required to wear prosthetics and fake blood; could that be because they're dead and already pretty banged up?
The Return Of Hela
I've mentioned a theory/rumour about Thor crossing paths with Hela in Hel but Mark Ruffalo may have confirmed her return during an interview which saw him seemingly confirm that he shot scenes with Cate Blanchett. We never actually saw her die in Thor: Ragnarok and even if Surtur did destroy the Goddess of Death, it would make perfect sense for Hela to be returned to her "home" in Hel.
A Big Scene Featuring Some Familiar Faces
"There was one scene, I think, we had where everybody was there,"Sebastian Stan revealed in an interview about his role in Avengers 4. "I can’t really talk about that scene, but I knew it took them three months in planning this scene to have everyone there. You look around and you just saw everyone from Samuel L. Jackson to Michael Douglas to Michelle Pfeiffer. Everybody was there."
It's interesting that the actor only mentions those who are playing other dead characters, so it could be that Stan is talking about a scene featuring their return, something which will obviously be epic to see (it's also feasible that this sequence takes place inside the Soul Stone where they all end up trapped).
The Wasp Will Return
A number of actors playing "dead" characters have been confirmed as returning either through social media posts or interviews but Evangeline Lilly has perhaps revealed more than anyone else, noting that not only does she have a small but important role in Avengers 4 but that The Wasp shares at least one scene with Brie Lason's Captain Marvel, an undeniably awesome female team-up fans want to see.
A Key Role For Hawkeye
Following Hawkeye's absence in Avengers: Infinity War, the Russos have promised that the archer will have a key role to play in the next instalment, while rumours have pointed to one major action scene.
That will reportedly revolve around Clint being chased down by Thanos and his goons as he attempts to escape with the Infinity Gauntlet created by Tony Stark, while we've also heard claims that he'll play a key role in stopping the Mad Titan once all is said and done. Who knows what that actually means!
Pulling Loki From Hel
A very long time ago, it was revealed that Marvel's original plan was to kill Loki in Thor: The Dark World before having the God of Thunder pull him from Hel in the third instalment. Now, theories and rumours are swirling that that is what will happen in Avengers 4 but there is, of course, still some doubt that the God of Mischief is even dead, especially as the villain is well-known for faking his demise in the MCU.
More Gamora
Gamora may have received a seemingly definitive death at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War but we know that she'll return in some capacity in the fourth instalment as she's revealed a lot of very interesting details during interviews. One of those includes a scene with Gwyneth Paltrow, so while the Guardians of the Galaxy may be dead and gone, their team-up with The Avengers isn't over just yet and this fan-favourite character is going to find her way back to the land of the living!
Everyone Assembles
If you look at set photos, social media posts, and any number of interviews, it's clear that the meetings we saw in the first movie were just the tip of the iceberg and there will ultimately be more unexpected team-ups, with a group scene even bigger than anything we actually saw in the first instalment.
Some of these even mix heroes who are dead with those who are alive, so that confirms we're not just getting group scenes with them in the Soul Stone of wherever they've ended up after Thanos' snap. Seeing all of these characters come together to stop Thanos once and for all will be truly, truly epic.
Pepper Potts Gets A Suit
Zoe Saldana has confirmed that she shot scenes with Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr., and Don Cheadle all suited up and the Pepper Potts actress actually shared a behind the scenes photo wearing a motion-capture suit on her legs. That pretty much confirms that the Stark Industries C.E.O. will be suiting up as R.E.S.C.U.E., something I think we can all agree is long overdue at this point in time.
Quicksilver Races Back Into Action
Aaron Taylor-Johnson made only a single appearance as Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron and while his death was obviously definitive, a number of sources claim to have spotted the actor on set, something which could mean Quicksilver will make his return in this movie, even if it's only via flashback or time-travel. Like Wanda, he's linked to the Infinity Stones, so that might explain this.
It's important to note that we've never seen pictures of Taylor-Johnson on set but fans would definitely like to see more of Quicksilver, especially as he's a character with so much potential moving forward.
So, that was the second part of our Avengers 4 breakdown. As you've realised, we've barely scratched the surface and will be back soon with the final instalment featuring more reveals!