Avengers: Infinity War
Release: April 27th, 2018 (UK)/May 4th, 2018 (US)
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Written by: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Starring: Chris Pratt, Sebastian Stan, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Robert Downey Jr
Significant characters introduced: TBA
Rumours: The conflict may see both the Avengers and Thanos with an Infinity Gauntlet each; The rumoured destruction of Xandar – home of the Nova Corps – by Thanos may be what draws the Guardians Of The Galaxy into the battle; Red Skull could return, having been transported to Jotunheim in Captain America: The First Avenger, Carol Danvers could be introduced.
Marvel has stated that Avengers: Infinity War will begin a story that will stand as the culmination of everything that has occurred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far, since 2008’s Iron Man. It has also been explained, repeatedly, that this point of the universe will see an end to the Avengers team as we have come to know it, and the commencement of a new era for that group.
It is confirmed that the cosmic supervillain Thanos will play a much larger role than he has done previously which, coupled with the presence of the word ‘Infinity’ in the title, suggests that the plot will really be a battle for the Infinity Stones. This is also supported by the fact that characters from the Guardians Of The Galaxy films are confirmed as appearing – giving this film a tone that is far different from any other Avengers film to date.
Until this film, little has been made clear about Thanos – but what has been teased has supported the character he is presented as in the comic books. As the title of this movie also suggests it is loosely based upon the comic book story Avengers: Infinity Gauntlet, there is speculation that the superheroes will need to assemble as a result of Thanos’ obsession with the Goddess of Death (a version of whom will feature in Thor: Ragnarok). He seeks to impress her, and so gathers all six of the Infinity Stones, achieving god-like power over the universe. In this position, he plans to deliver half of all living souls to the Goddess of Death, in the hope of winning her attention.
[zergpaid]Ant-Man And The Wasp
Release: July 6th, 2018
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Written by: Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, Adam McKay, Paul Rudd
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michael Pena
Significant characters introduced: Possibly Janet van Dyne (the original Wasp)
Rumours: Scott Lang may retrieve Janet van Dyne from the Quantum Realm; Is Sharon Stone going to be playing Janet van Dyne?
The sequel to Ant-Man will evidently feature Hope van Dyne donning The Wasp suit revealed at the end of the first film.
Captain Marvel
Release: March 8th, 2019
Directed by:Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Written by: Meg LeFauve, Nicole Perlman
Starring: Brie Larson
Significant characters introduced: Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel
Rumours:
Captain Marvel is based upon the Marvel character Carol Danvers, created by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan in 1968.
The first female-led superhero movie (and the first to involve a female director) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been confirmed as using the Carol Danvers incarnation of the popular character – which goes some way to explain its timing on the Marvel release slate, as her origin story involves Carol being an officer in the United States Air Force, tasked with overseeing security at a restricted military base. Here, she meets alien Kree hero Captain Marvel in his human guise of Dr. Walter Lawson.
Later, an explosion of a Kree device causes Carol to merge with Captain Marvel at a genetic level, making her an alien-human hybrid with super strength, speed, the ability to both absorb and project vast amounts of energy, and the ability to fly.
Untitled Avengers Sequel
Release: April 26th, 2019 (UK)/May 3rd, 2019 (US)
Directed by: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Written by: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Starring: Josh Brolin, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Pratt, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Elizabeth Olsen
Significant characters introduced: TBA
Rumours: Torches will be passed to a new generation of Avengers.
This film was formerly referred to as Avengers: Infinity War – Part Two, but has since been determined to be a separate, though related endeavour. This suggests that, while the story still evidently concerns dealing with Thanos, this fourth Avengers film will be the final ending to the initial line-up of the Avengers team. With the flick arriving after the first solo film of Captain Marvel, it could be that Marvel intends for her to play a lead role in the Avengers team going forward – along with Ant-Man, The Wasp, Black Panther, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man.