The status of a number of supporting characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is unclear after the events of Avengers: Infinity War but a newly released novel titled The Cosmic Quest Vol. 2: Aftermath has cleared things up to at least some extent.
We've already learned that Dr. Selvig and Darcy are alive and well and attempting to figure out what caused billions of people to vanish, and it's now been revealed that the duo reunites with Jane Foster to form the "Science Avengers." Whether or not that means Thor will reunite with his old flame isn't clear but it's thought that the novel is canon.
Natalie Portman hasn't sounded particularly interested in reprising the role since starring in Thor: The Dark World but there's a chance Marvel Studios could have convinced her to return for Avengers 4, especially if the door has been opened for her to become the new God of Thunder in Phase 4.
Earth's Mightiest Heroes could also seek her help to try to figure out how to stop Thanos and reverse the damage he's done, but we'll have to wait and see. As always, stay tuned for further details.
To see a list of off-screen characters confirmed to be alive and dead
after Infinity War, click on the "View List" button below.
Betty Ross - DEAD
We haven't seen Liv Tyler's Betty Ross since The Incredible Hulk and while Bruce Banner has been recast and seemingly moved on since then, there are many fans who would love to see her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Well, despite rumours that she is set to reunite with the Jade Giant in Avengers 4, the Russos have confirmed that she's dead, so it looks like we'll have to keep waiting.
Aunt May - ALIVE
Poor Aunt May. Not only did she probably spend most of Avengers: Infinity War worrying about her nephew going missing during that field trip but as soon as everyone started turning to dust and he didn't come home, she must have realised that Peter was among the casualties. If nothing else, we should probably expect to see the fallout from that in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel.
Lady Sif - DEAD
Kevin Feige has teased the possibility of Marvel having plans for Lady Sif after she was nowhere to be seen in Thor: Ragnarok but it's now becoming clear that may not be the case. The Russos have said that the Asgardian was among those who turned to dust after Thanos snapped his fingers, so the chances of her teaming up with Valkyrie to save the day in the fourth chapter are increasingly unlikely.
Nakia - UNCLEAR
T'Challa is dead, so if Nakia is still around, she'll obviously be mourning both her king and lover. However, when the Russos were pushed for details on her status, they refused to answer and said only that she was deep undercover when the events of Avengers: Infinity War takes place. Chances are Nakia is alive but that she'll be so busy elsewhere, we won't see her again until Black Panther 2.
Howard The Duck - ALIVE
Howard the Duck has now made two cameo appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and those have both come in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. As a result, it's highly unlikely we'll end up seeing him in Avengers 4 (unless, of course, Earth's Mightiest Heroes travel into outer space) but it's good to know that he's still alive and that he'll no doubt pop up again in Vol. 3 when that's released.
Shuri - UNCLEAR
The last time we saw Shuri, she had been attacked by Corvus Glaive while attempting to separate The Vision from the Mind Stone. It was clear that his attack only badly injured her as opposed to outright killing her and while the Russos refused to reveal her status, comments from Letitia Wright have pointed to her returning in Avengers 4 and it sounds very much like she'll be mourning her brother.
General Ross - ALIVE
General Ross made a surprise appearance in Avengers: Infinity War and while many fans are no doubt hoping that this jerk gets what's coming to him, it turns out he wasn't among those who turned to dust when Thanos snapped his fingers. Whether or not we'll see him deal with the fallout of that remains to be seen but here's hoping he realises the world needs The Avengers and stops being such a douche.
Korg And Miek - UNCLEAR
Korg emerged as a fan-favourite character in Thor: Ragnarok, and while it would have been great to see him show up in Avengers: Infinity War, the character's comedic sensibilities might have been a poor fit for the epic ensemble. The Russos wouldn't say whether or not these two are still around but don't be surprised if they end up joining the fight alongside Valkyrie in Avengers 4. Well, here's hoping anyway!
Captain Marvel - ALIVE
Avengers: Infinity War ended with Nick Fury sending a message to Captain Marvel before he turned to dust and considering the fact we know she's going to answer that and return to her home planet to help The Avengers, it's obvious that she managed to escape that snap (which is very fortunate for Earth's Mightiest Heroes). Simply put, Carol Danvers' joining the team can't get here soon enough.
Jane Foster - UNCLEAR
While it appears as if Natalie Portman is well and truly finished with the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Thor: The Dark World, the Russos wouldn't say whether or not she's still alive because they believe that would essentially be a spoiler. Perhaps the God of Thunder is going to track her down given her expertise in all things cosmic as that would make for a really surprising cameo in Avengers 4.
Ned - UNCLEAR
Apparently, Ned's status either way is considered a spoiler so the Russos refused to shed any light on whether or not he's alive or dead. I'm not sure if the filmmakers were joking but it's hard to imagine the youngster playing much of a role in Avengers 4 given the brief screentime he received in Avengers: Infinity War. If he did "die," it's likely that's something which will be addressed in Homecoming 2.
Valkyrie - ALIVE
While she may have been absent from the movie's marketing materials, fans were expecting to see Valkyrie in action in Avengers: Infinity War but that obviously never come to pass. On the plus side, it's been confirmed that she's out there somewhere with the half of Asgard that Thanos and his Black Order chose not to slaughter, so the door is definitely open for some sort of triumphant return!
Gamora - ALIVE...Sort Of
Initially, it was reported that Gamora's death was very much final but it was later revealed that her soul is trapped within the Soul Stone and that vision Thanos had at the end of the movie was actually her as opposed to something he was just imagining. This is a game changer and leaves the door open to her being resurrected at some point in Avengers 4 before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 rolls around.
The Heroes Who Turned To Dust - DEAD
Okay, this didn't happen off screen but for those of you wondering if the likes of Spider-Man, Star-Lord, and The Falcon are gone or just trapped within the Soul Stone like Gamora, both the Russos and Avengers: Infinity War's writers have confirmed that, as of right now, they're most definitely dead. That hurts but it's going to be very interesting seeing how Marvel goes about bringing them all back.
Which of these characters are you most upset to learn is dead and how many of those who are alive are you hoping to see in Avengers 4? As always, share your thoughts in the usual place.
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