What will happen in ‘Avengers: Endgame?’

The current Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as we know it, draws to a close in Avengers: Endgame. This movie acts as the culmination of 11 years of Marvel films divided into three phases. And because of the obvious importance of this film, there has been a lot of speculation about how it will play out. The internet is replete with theories on what will happen in Avengers: Endgame. One would most likely be amazed by the depth and breadth of the surmises and guesses.

This author, a self-confessed comic book aficionado, is happy to join the fray. He has gathered, the more popular theories floating around cyberspace and social media. To put things in order, he has classified these hypotheses according to five categories:

1. That’s happening;

2. It can probably happen;

3. That’s possible;

4. That’s a long shot; and

5. Just forget it.

That’s happening!

Sorry dear readers, but there is no theory that divulges absolute certainty. The Russo Brothers have kept things under wraps. Only they and probably God know how things are actually going down. Besides, what’s the point of having a surefire theory? Where’s the fun in that?

It can probably happen

Thanos did not kill half of the universe’s population, instead transported them to an alternate reality or universe.

The theory above seems plausible because the MCU does have alternate dimensions or realities. For all we know, Thanos, after snapping his fingers in Avengers: Infinity War, transported half of the universe’s population into the soul stone? The same beings could be trapped in a parallel universe that the Mad Titan created. The point is, if those that turned into dust actually didn’t die but were whisked away to some place, it would be easier to explain why they could be brought back.

The heroes that survived in “Avengers: Infinity War” will travel back in time, e.g., during the New York battle scene in “Avengers 1,” to stop Thanos before he even collects all the Infinity Stones.

This is another conjecture that can happen. There were reports during the filming of Avengers: Endgame that the original Avengers suited up in their Avengers 1 costumes and shot a recreation of the battle of New York. So, if this is true, do our heroes surreptitiously launch themselves into space at the same time as Tony Stark delivers the payload in Avengers 1? Your guess is as good as mine.

That’s possible

Tony Stark will end up wielding the Infinity Gauntlet, but to harness its power, he has to sacrifice someone dear or close to him, i.e., Captain America.

The scenario above can happen considering various angles.

From a contract perspective, it has been reported that Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth will not renew their agreements with Marvel. Avengers: Endgame marks the end of the journey with the MCU. So, it is likely that Captain America will die along with Thor and Iron Man.

And if the three stars are not returning, then there is no better way than to go out fighting with repulsors, shields, and hammers blazing, so to speak.

Gamora will take control of the Infinity Gauntlet.

This is straight out of the comic books. It can happen since there was no categorical indication that Gamora indeed died. Perhaps, she got trapped in the Soul Stone? She may be lurking in some far-flung alternate universe—waiting for her chance to get back at Thanos. In any case, this author bets that it isn’t the last time that we’ve seen Gamora.

That’s a long shot

The remaining heroes will go to space and seek out another cosmic being capable of going toe-to-toe Thanos. A character that comes to mind is Galactus—the Devourer of Worlds.

Okay, this one is a long shot, but it’s a neat one. This is so insane on so many levels since: (1) it signals the merging of the Fantastic Four (FF) universe with that of the current MCU (to the uninitiated Galactus is one of the FF’s main enemies), and (2) it would be such a treat seeing Thanos and Galactus duke it out.

But, given that Disney just purchased Fox, the former is presumably still streamlining and planning on how to utilize the latter’s assets. Included or subsumed in that endeavor is to determine how to use Fox’s intellectual property like the Fantastic Four. Moreover, the Russo brothers already have so much on its plate. It may not want to add another piece—a massive one at that—into the mix and not give it its due.

Just forget it!

The remaining heroes will lure Thanos into the quantum realm and give him a beat down there.

Nah. Marvel most likely has a lot of plans for the quantum realm. It’s practically an unexplored universe or reality. This author is almost sure that Marvel won’t allow that world to be relegated into a cosmic schoolyard.

The Fantastic Four, The X-Men, or Deadpool will join the fight.

So, just because Disney bought Fox, it doesn’t follow that the former will wantonly and with reckless abandon use the characters of the latter. Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige presumably knows when to insert the Fantastic Four et. al. into the fray. It won’t be in Avengers: Endgame.

In the end

Theorizing can be fun. And as you can see, some are plausible, the others have a one in a million shot, while the rest may be downright laughable. But, regardless of the nature of the supposition, it’s a treat, at the least, to read these assumptions. The bewildering number of guesses that keep on sprouting almost every day—at least from this author’s vantage point—is a testament to how much the audience, fans, and moviegoers have been invested in the MCU. Take away the action, comedy, drama, and effects that the MCU brings, and you have on your hands a legitimate storyline—one that has spanned and intertwined in 22 motion pictures. That’s no easy feat.