Who thinks Thanos is going to be saved as the main villain in Avengers 3?

[dbxkilla]

In my opinion Thanos is probably going to be the main villain in avengers 3 no matter if they teased them in avengers

[cherokeesam]

I believe Thanos is about to become the Uber-villain of the MCU. Not only will we see him in Avengers 2, imho, but probably bits and pieces of him in other MCU films, including Thor 2, Dr. Strange and GOTG.

[BrollySupersj]

I believe Thanos is about to become the Uber-villain of the MCU. Not only will we see him in Avengers 2, imho, but probably bits and pieces of him in other MCU films, including Thor 2, Dr. Strange and GOTG.

Kinda like how Agent Coulson had small parts in Iron Man 1, 2, and Thor.

[psylockolussus]

I think he'll be the main villain in the Avengers 2.

[DrCosmic]

What do you mean by saved? They've made Thanos the universal threat. He's not going to jump from the shadows to the front lines. He'll appear in Avengers 2 to evaluate their capabilities or something, but he certainly won't be defeated in TA2. That just isn't going to happen.

[dbxkilla]

by saved i mean that he wouldn't be the one that the avengers fight until avengers 3

[MENTALLECT]

Thanos is the best supervillain in comics if written correctly. He is stronger than the Hulk, immortal, smarter than Reed Richard, Banner, Tony Stark, etc. He is feared by even Gods and Cosmic Beings, in love with Death, and completely dedicated to the annihilation of life. He is overqualified as a simple Marvel threat based on his comic book accomplishments, so they will certainly have to decrease his capabilities to make him beatable.

They could make the next Might Avengers movie universally scaled and bring in Galactus, the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, and other superheroes to fight Thanos. Most likely, it will be smaller in scope and not to justice to Comicdoms greatest villain.

[Lady Marion]

I hope and think they save Thanos for part 3. When Thanos is defeated in part 2 what comes next, I wonder?

[Chris B]

I'd agree with saving him for the third film. I'm hoping for Ultron myself.

[Alexei Belyakov]

Based on the interview Whedon gave on Thanos, its safe to say they're going the Star Wars route with The Avengers series. In Avengers 2, Thanos will either defeat the team or enslave Earth (or both) & leave the film in a very Empire Strikes Backish way. In Avengers 3, they'll figure out how to defeat him & he'll fall Palpatine-style. In A New Hope, the heroes won the battle, not the war. In The Avengers, the heroes won the battle not the war. In Empire, a hero fell (if only temporarily) & the others were left in peril. In Avengers 2, I'm sure someone will die & things will end bad for Mankind. The architecture for this series is perfect IMO. In 2018, if all goes as planned, we should be getting the ultimate showdown between Earth's Mightiest Heroes & The Mad Titan. Who knows where they'll go from there, if anywhere.

[Blackman]

Based on the interview Whedon gave on Thanos, its safe to say they're going the Star Wars route with The Avengers series. In Avengers 2, Thanos will either defeat the team or enslave Earth (or both) & leave the film in a very Empire Strikes Backish way. In Avengers 3, they'll figure out how to defeat him & he'll fall Palpatine-style. In A New Hope, the heroes won the battle, not the war. In The Avengers, the heroes won the battle not the war. In Empire, a hero fell (if only temporarily) & the others were left in peril. In Avengers 2, I'm sure someone will die & things will end bad for Mankind. The architecture for this series is perfect IMO. In 2018, if all goes as planned, we should be getting the ultimate showdown between Earth's Mightiest Heroes & The Mad Titan. Who knows where they'll go from there, if anywhere.

I usually like when film series go that route. The hero rises in the first, falls in the second, and redeems in the third.
However, I wonder how they would potentially handle Thanos "winning" when they would still potentially have Thor 3, Cap 3, Iron Man 4, and others that comes before Avengers 3

[MMMMM...Dounuts]

I think he'll be saved for Avengers 3 and work behind the scenes up until then.

[MarvelKnight]

Based on the interview Whedon gave on Thanos, its safe to say they're going the Star Wars route with The Avengers series. In Avengers 2, Thanos will either defeat the team or enslave Earth (or both) & leave the film in a very Empire Strikes Backish way. In Avengers 3, they'll figure out how to defeat him & he'll fall Palpatine-style. In A New Hope, the heroes won the battle, not the war. In The Avengers, the heroes won the battle not the war. In Empire, a hero fell (if only temporarily) & the others were left in peril. In Avengers 2, I'm sure someone will die & things will end bad for Mankind. The architecture for this series is perfect IMO. In 2018, if all goes as planned, we should be getting the ultimate showdown between Earth's Mightiest Heroes & The Mad Titan. Who knows where they'll go from there, if anywhere.

Is this interview online or anywhere?

[dbxkilla]

I think he'll be saved for Avengers 3 and work behind the scenes up until then.

i was thinking the same thing

[cherokeesam]

It depends on how much of Thanos we see during "Phase II."

Don't quote me on this, cuz it's just a hunch, but I think Feige is working on a theory that one megavillain is the "central" villain of each phase of the MCU. MCU Phase I was IM 1 & 2, Thor, CATFA, TIH, and Avengers. Loki was the "central villain" of that phase, but the real unifying thread there was, of course, the Avengers themselves assembling.

I believe MCU Phase II is shaping up to be Thor 2, IM 3, CA2, Avengers 2 and at least one unnamed movie (that may or may not be Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, TIH2, or GOTG as the likeliest candidates). I also believe, as I stated earlier, that Thanos will play small to middlin' roles in some, if not all, of these films, and culminate in a showdown in Avengers 2.

And yes, that means I don't believe in the trilogy theory. I do not believe for one second that Marvel Studios has set themselves up to be finite, to already have an "ending" planned for their grand business venture. MCU Phase III will take the Avengers in a new direction, *minus* Thanos, but there'll be a whole new story arc with a central villain set up for an Avengers 3 showdown. Could be a Kree-Skrull story arc, a Kang story arc, a MOE story arc, Inhumans, Atlantis Attacks, or something else.

[Alexei Belyakov]

After hearing Whedon talk about Thanos, I'm 99% sure he will be the primary threat during Avengers 2 & 3. Phase II will culminate with the first battle between Thanos & Midgard's heroes - which should have a much larger roster come 2015. By the end of Avengers 2, I expect Thanos to complete the gauntlet & close the film victoriously while The Avengers mourn a fallen comrade & the fall of their planet. Phase III can focus on the heroes taking back Earth & defeating Thanos, concluding the Phase with a final battle where an Avengers roster twice as big as that of the first film & that includes the GOTG defeats The Mad Titan once & for all. Whedon's going all the way with Thanos. The comic book issues he brought up, I own them. They're everything this series should be about. A war that begins with defending the planet & escalates to defending the universe. Its a battle against the ultimate evil; there's no way they'll bring him down in their first bout. They're gonna need help. Cosmic help.

[Closerframe]

Like many have said, Thanos is the greatest foe the Avengers have ever faced, so it would be pointless to tease him at the end, introduce him in the subsequent standalone films, then have them battle and defeat him in the sequel. I think he should be utilized as much as possible to ensure when he finally greets the team he is in full power and control and the consequences have to be great--meaning I expect at least two or three heroes to die. I think, ideally, to introduce Ant-Man over the next two years or so--prior to The Avengers 2--would be the best thing to do so he can invent Ultron who invents the Vision who is sent in to infiltrate and destroy the team, but somehow Ultron has links to Thanos who has a bigger presence this time around. Or, they could go the HYDRA way and have Red Skull and a team of other super villains team up to destroy the Avengers which would go with what Whedon wants by making the next one more personal.

[PunyGod]

From the interview with Feige and Whedon it sounded like Thanos was just a last minute addition by Joss. It wouldn't surprise me if he never shows up again and this is just written off as an easter egg for fans.

Not that I'm saying I don't want to see him. I'd love to see the MCU go full on cosmic and fulfill the promise that Green Lantern never did.

[DrCosmic]

It depends on how much of Thanos we see during "Phase II."

Don't quote me on this, cuz it's just a hunch, but I think Feige is working on a theory that one megavillain is the "central" villain of each phase of the MCU. MCU Phase I was IM 1 & 2, Thor, CATFA, TIH, and Avengers. Loki was the "central villain" of that phase, but the real unifying thread there was, of course, the Avengers themselves assembling.

I believe MCU Phase II is shaping up to be Thor 2, IM 3, CA2, Avengers 2 and at least one unnamed movie (that may or may not be Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, TIH2, or GOTG as the likeliest candidates). I also believe, as I stated earlier, that Thanos will play small to middlin' roles in some, if not all, of these films, and culminate in a showdown in Avengers 2.

And yes, that means I don't believe in the trilogy theory. I do not believe for one second that Marvel Studios has set themselves up to be finite, to already have an "ending" planned for their grand business venture. MCU Phase III will take the Avengers in a new direction, *minus* Thanos, but there'll be a whole new story arc with a central villain set up for an Avengers 3 showdown. Could be a Kree-Skrull story arc, a Kang story arc, a MOE story arc, Inhumans, Atlantis Attacks, or something else.

Yeah, Loki wasn't a threat to phase I, he only came up half way through it. Why don't you think Avengers 4 will be the film where they take the Avengers in a new direction? Why would they need to take it in a new direction in 3, everyone's still on contract? They could be wrapping up a story they've built up, instead of trying to build momentum for a direction they'll have to change again in TA4.

Just because they're trilogies, doesn't mean the MCU is finite. It just means its going somewhere specific instead of just striking out randomly.


After hearing Whedon talk about Thanos, I'm 99% sure he will be the primary threat during Avengers 2 & 3. Phase II will culminate with the first battle between Thanos & Midgard's heroes - which should have a much larger roster come 2015. By the end of Avengers 2, I expect Thanos to complete the gauntlet & close the film victoriously while The Avengers mourn a fallen comrade & the fall of their planet. Phase III can focus on the heroes taking back Earth & defeating Thanos, concluding the Phase with a final battle where an Avengers roster twice as big as that of the first film & that includes the GOTG defeats The Mad Titan once & for all. Whedon's going all the way with Thanos. The comic book issues he brought up, I own them. They're everything this series should be about. A war that begins with defending the planet & escalates to defending the universe. Its a battle against the ultimate evil; there's no way they'll bring him down in their first bout. They're gonna need help. Cosmic help.

That sounds totally awesome. I do look forward to Thanos showing up at the end of TA2 and mopping the floor with the heroes. What interview is this, by the way, I'd love to check on some of those issues.

I don't think the GotG will be on par with the Avengers story-wise. They'll certainly be a linchpin in the plot, but as far as screen time, and striking those final blows, I just don't see them deferring their built up super stars to one-movie CGI constructs. In fact, one has to wonder how many of the GotG will survive their own movie. It might just be Adam Warlock and an injured Star Lord who come to warn the Avengers.

[AvengeME]

I never saw an Avengers franchise as a potential trilogy in the classical sense with a beginning, middle, and end. The franchise is indefinite. Members come and go. Characters change. I don't want it to be like X-Men where we get a Wolverine arc along with Magneto/Xavier's primary arc and it is a very self contained story. Even had they fleshed out the rest of the X-Men as necessary, it is still a trilogy for that set of characters. I guess you could somewhat equate that to Avengers, but I feel the presentations of the two should be completely different.

Members come and go. I always imagined even staple heroes like Thor and Iron Man to take a hiatus after a movie or so. Maybe Thor skips part 2 for example. Someone else fills in. The stories are completely distinct and stand alone by themselves. Not consistent with the classic trilogy in the sense.

Avengers should not present one story on one particular set of characters. It is an entire universe of characters. There is no need for repetition of characters and villains. Should there ever be a need for Avengers 4, 5, and 6 (no reason not to believe we can't get those movies at some point), and Thanos has already been dealt with, it is anti-climactic to say the least. Even X-Men saved Apocalypse. I don't think Thanos should be an overarching villain like the Sith. Let him remain in the background as an esoteric force that is hinted at but never sees major action until they decide to present that story. Hold it off until Avengers 3 at the very least. Or possibly a two part series for Avengers 3, 4 if they feel they cannot present that in one film and have little desire to tell any other story involving the Avengers at such a time.

[Rock Sexton]

From the interview with Feige and Whedon it sounded like Thanos was just a last minute addition by Joss. It wouldn't surprise me if he never shows up again and this is just written off as an easter egg for fans.

Not that I'm saying I don't want to see him. I'd love to see the MCU go full on cosmic and fulfill the promise that Green Lantern never did.

Drugs are bad.

[cofphoto]

I'm not a comic book reader, and am not versed on the comic book side of the Marvel Universe, but my question was - who will be the villian in Thor 2, and might we see Thanos in that movie?

The Chataurai Leader in Avengers told Loki that if he failed to bring them the Tesseract, there would be no place he could hide from them. So at the end of the movie, Loki and the Tesseract end up back in Asgaard. Could we even see Thanos in that movie?

Everyone is assuming he'll be the villian on Avengers 2, but just thought I'd ask because like I said...I don't know any better. :)

Also as a side note, who will be the villian in Cap 2?

[Alexei Belyakov]

I can't believe there are actually people who think Thanos was nothing more than an unrelated nod to the fans never to be expanded upon. Wrong. Every little bit of information presented in these films is carefully decided on. The IM2 commentary by Favreau clarifies to what [extreme] extent that goes. We first saw Fury in IM & it took 4 years to see him in full force. The same application will be done for Thanos. In 2015 we get the first full bout with The Mad Titan. Its gonna be a painful 3 years of waiting, but hopefully the solo films (specially GOTG) will keep us entertained 'til that next event film. Do I think it will all end with Thanos in Avengers 3? I have no idea. If the genre's still on fire by 2020 then we'll definitely get an Avengers 4.

[cherokeesam]

I never saw an Avengers franchise as a potential trilogy in the classical sense with a beginning, middle, and end. The franchise is indefinite. Members come and go. Characters change. I don't want it to be like X-Men where we get a Wolverine arc along with Magneto/Xavier's primary arc and it is a very self contained story. Even had they fleshed out the rest of the X-Men as necessary, it is still a trilogy for that set of characters. I guess you could somewhat equate that to Avengers, but I feel the presentations of the two should be completely different.

Members come and go. I always imagined even staple heroes like Thor and Iron Man to take a hiatus after a movie or so. Maybe Thor skips part 2 for example. Someone else fills in. The stories are completely distinct and stand alone by themselves. Not consistent with the classic trilogy in the sense.

Avengers should not present one story on one particular set of characters. It is an entire universe of characters. There is no need for repetition of characters and villains. Should there ever be a need for Avengers 4, 5, and 6 (no reason not to believe we can't get those movies at some point), and Thanos has already been dealt with, it is anti-climactic to say the least. Even X-Men saved Apocalypse. I don't think Thanos should be an overarching villain like the Sith. Let him remain in the background as an esoteric force that is hinted at but never sees major action until they decide to present that story. Hold it off until Avengers 3 at the very least. Or possibly a two part series for Avengers 3, 4 if they feel they cannot present that in one film and have little desire to tell any other story involving the Avengers at such a time.

Well-spoken, sir.
Two thumbs up! :up::up:

I'm not a comic book reader, and am not versed on the comic book side of the Marvel Universe, but my question was - who will be the villian in Thor 2, and might we see Thanos in that movie?

The Chataurai Leader in Avengers told Loki that if he failed to bring them the Tesseract, there would be no place he could hide from them. So at the end of the movie, Loki and the Tesseract end up back in Asgaard. Could we even see Thanos in that movie?

Everyone is assuming he'll be the villian on Avengers 2, but just thought I'd ask because like I said...I don't know any better. :)

Also as a side note, who will be the villian in Cap 2?

Well, that's the thing about setting up Thanos in Avengers 1, isn't it....? They've definitely planted the seed for at least a cameo in Thor 2, because Thanos isn't done with the Cube, or with Loki, yet; and there's still the theory that I and others believe that Thanos is just manipulating Loki and the Cube into Asgard so that he can get in and steal back the Infinity Gauntlet that was teased in the Thor movie (deleted scene, but w/e).

As for the Cap sequel, there's almost no info on it yet, other than the fact that it takes place in modern day with Cap working closely with SHIELD. So we don't know potential villains yet; but if the comics are any indication, some safe bets include Baron Zemo, a "resurrected" Red Skull (with Crossbones), a "resurrected" Bucky Barnes as Winter Soldier, HYDRA under the leadership of Von Strucker or Madam Viper, Arnim Zola, Super-Adaptoid, Taskmaster, the Serpent Society, or MODOK and A.I.M.

[cofphoto]

Awesome, so I'm not totally off base then because I was figuring Thanos would go after Loki and the cube in Thor 2 and Loki and Thor would end up battling him together or something and in the end Loki would again be a good guy and not a villian.

[Racetrack]

Avengers 2: Ultron
Avengers 3: Thanos

[BatVader]

Based on the interview Whedon gave on Thanos, its safe to say they're going the Star Wars route with The Avengers series. In Avengers 2, Thanos will either defeat the team or enslave Earth (or both) & leave the film in a very Empire Strikes Backish way. In Avengers 3, they'll figure out how to defeat him & he'll fall Palpatine-style. In A New Hope, the heroes won the battle, not the war. In The Avengers, the heroes won the battle not the war. In Empire, a hero fell (if only temporarily) & the others were left in peril. In Avengers 2, I'm sure someone will die & things will end bad for Mankind. The architecture for this series is perfect IMO. In 2018, if all goes as planned, we should be getting the ultimate showdown between Earth's Mightiest Heroes & The Mad Titan. Who knows where they'll go from there, if anywhere.

^ yup, this.

[AvengeME]

I think Black Widow could get killed off. She is more suited for spinoffs and prequel type stuff anyhow. Plus there are other females that could replace her. They will never kill off Iron Man, although he is the Han Solo type. If RDJ wants to leave after Avengers 2, they might do something dramatic with the character. Unlikely, but possible. Cap won't die until Cap 3 or Avengers 3 earliest.

[jaqua99]

Based on the interview Whedon gave on Thanos, its safe to say they're going the Star Wars route with The Avengers series. In Avengers 2, Thanos will either defeat the team or enslave Earth (or both) & leave the film in a very Empire Strikes Backish way. In Avengers 3, they'll figure out how to defeat him & he'll fall Palpatine-style. In A New Hope, the heroes won the battle, not the war. In The Avengers, the heroes won the battle not the war. In Empire, a hero fell (if only temporarily) & the others were left in peril. In Avengers 2, I'm sure someone will die & things will end bad for Mankind. The architecture for this series is perfect IMO. In 2018, if all goes as planned, we should be getting the ultimate showdown between Earth's Mightiest Heroes & The Mad Titan. Who knows where they'll go from there, if anywhere.

Exactly what I am thinking. Although I am still hoping for a different main villian in avengers 2.

[jaqua99]

It depends on how much of Thanos we see during "Phase II."

Don't quote me on this, cuz it's just a hunch, but I think Feige is working on a theory that one megavillain is the "central" villain of each phase of the MCU. MCU Phase I was IM 1 & 2, Thor, CATFA, TIH, and Avengers. Loki was the "central villain" of that phase, but the real unifying thread there was, of course, the Avengers themselves assembling.

I believe MCU Phase II is shaping up to be Thor 2, IM 3, CA2, Avengers 2 and at least one unnamed movie (that may or may not be Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, TIH2, or GOTG as the likeliest candidates). I also believe, as I stated earlier, that Thanos will play small to middlin' roles in some, if not all, of these films, and culminate in a showdown in Avengers 2.

And yes, that means I don't believe in the trilogy theory. I do not believe for one second that Marvel Studios has set themselves up to be finite, to already have an "ending" planned for their grand business venture. MCU Phase III will take the Avengers in a new direction, *minus* Thanos, but there'll be a whole new story arc with a central villain set up for an Avengers 3 showdown. Could be a Kree-Skrull story arc, a Kang story arc, a MOE story arc, Inhumans, Atlantis Attacks, or something else.

Not going to lie. I would hate this. lol. Like a lot.

I hope to god you are wrong ahhaha

[jaqua99]

It seems like they certainly are going with the star wars route. Maybe mixing some villian (hoping ultron) and Thanos in Avengers 2. Thanos flat out defeats the avengers, gets the gauntlet assembled. At the end though. Im thinking a more personal story like joss said, and to me, thanos doesnt fit.

[Alexei Belyakov]

By "personal" Joss clearly means "not triumphant". In other words, a dark movie. No Schwarma scene after the credits. Just a tiny glimmer of hope that there is hope (maybe a scene where the survivors meet Warlock). Regarding who might die, my money's on Cap. Evans is only signed to 4 films & something tells me he'll wanna jump ship after Avengers 2. Naturally, you'd expect the Han Solo character to get KIA (Tony) but Cap dying only amplifies his heroicness. I'm thinking something along the lines of Thanos completes the Gauntlet, the heroes make their stand against him & Cap is sacrificed to save someone on the team. The survivors flee (Firefly-style) & mourn their fallen comrade as they devise a plan to take back the planet. In Avengers 3 (2018) we see this plan, which will hopefully involve The GOTG, Strange & BP. A global battle ensues while someone takes on The Titan head on (Thor or Warlock). This series has enormous potential & Whedon using the Star Wars trilogy as a template is simply perfect.

[Oberon sexton]

I dont think Cap will bite it. It's gusty, and I like it, but I don't see Marvel killing off an Icon like Steve, I think they'll want to keep that going for a while yet. If anyone's expendable I would think its the guy without his own franchise, ie Hulk. Guy's loved by the GA but doesn't really bring in the $ like the big three can.

[cherokeesam]

Where are you people finding "evidence" that they're going a "Star Wars" or trilogy or "darker" route with Phase II? Here's what we *do* know about Phase II:

*IM3 -- involves Extremis story arc; takes place in America and China and possibly the Middle East; features at least one known villain, Coldblood; features a team of Chinese armored soldiers; features Dr. Aldrich Killian played by a major actor, Guy Pearce --- Killian was only a two-frame role in the comics, but apparently will be more important to this story

*Thor 2 --- involves Thor and Jane Foster traveling across the Nine Realms; Idris Elba suggests that it will explore the identity of the Asgardians a little more closely; Hemsworth hints that Loki might get "redemption" in this movie

*Captain America 2 --- set in the modern world; Cap will have close ties to SHIELD

*May 2014 movie, yet to be identified --- likely contenders for that role include Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, or even Hulk 2 (although to be fair, they haven't said for sure they're ready to bring Hulk back to the big screen)

*Avengers 2 --- probably involves *at least* a small role by Thanos, who was teased at the end of Avengers 2


Marvel hasn't said anything about "Phase III," or whether it's supposed to be some final movement, or just another chapter in a continuing saga.

Going from film history alone, it's far more likely that Marvel is doing each "phase" as a self-contained "saga" with films that are standalone, in the main, but very loosely connected through a central figure. In Phase I, Nick Fury/SHIELD was that central figure, and the assembly of the Avengers was the unifying thread.

For Phase II, I think the arrow points to Thanos being the unifying thread, with the Phase II movies I listed above having a vague connection to the Mad Titan somehow.

All you people still hanging on to the Star Wars analogy, consider this: Star Wars *sets up* the unifying thread in the very first movie. By movie's end, we *know* what the series is going to be about --- an overarcing tale of the Rebellion against the Empire. There's nothing in Phase I of the Avengers that points to a central story arch that's going to span three Phases....no central enemy, no all-encompassing war, no core group of heroes (despite all the speculation we're doing, we *really* have no clue what kind of Avengers roster will show up for Avengers 2, let alone Avengers 3).

Maybe as we learn more about IM3 and Thor 2, a clearer picture will develop about Marvel's plans for MCU's future, but until then, I'm not going to blindly assume we're looking at a rigid 3-act structure, like some of you clearly hope. What worked for Star Wars and Nolan's Batman and Raimi's Spider-Man may not work for the MCU at all. (And the jury is still out until the end of this summer as to how well the "trilogy, then reboot" strategy works for Bats and Spidey.)

[jaqua99]

By "personal" Joss clearly means "not triumphant". In other words, a dark movie. No Schwarma scene after the credits. Just a tiny glimmer of hope that there is hope (maybe a scene where the survivors meet Warlock). Regarding who might die, my money's on Cap. Evans is only signed to 4 films & something tells me he'll wanna jump ship after Avengers 2. Naturally, you'd expect the Han Solo character to get KIA (Tony) but Cap dying only amplifies his heroicness. I'm thinking something along the lines of Thanos completes the Gauntlet, the heroes make their stand against him & Cap is sacrificed to save someone on the team. The survivors flee (Firefly-style) & mourn their fallen comrade as they devise a plan to take back the planet. In Avengers 3 (2018) we see this plan, which will hopefully involve The GOTG, Strange & BP. A global battle ensues while someone takes on The Titan head on (Thor or Warlock). This series has enormous potential & Whedon using the Star Wars trilogy as a template is simply perfect.

We dont know what he meant by personal. To me, that still screams ultron, and if we do get an antman movie in 2014, well, to me, its going to have to be ultron. I see no reason to make an antman movie, or to include him in the lineup without using him as a reason for there to be Ultron. Not to mention, I dont think It will come down to Warlock and Thor vs Thanos. If the Gauntlet is complete, its going to operate on a much large scale, and Thanos will NOT enslave the earth. Come on. Thanos? he just wants to kill and destroy. He was just using earth to see if there is anyone capable of stopping him. Maybe him enslaving earth could happen, just for kicks on his part, but his goal will be ATLEAST galactic level destruction. We know his power is going to operate on a much bigger than Earthly scale. The beginning of the movie "The Earth will be his, and the Universe, yours"

[jaqua99]

Where are you people finding "evidence" that they're going a "Star Wars" or trilogy or "darker" route with Phase II? Here's what we *do* know about Phase II:

*IM3 -- involves Extremis story arc; takes place in America and China and possibly the Middle East; features at least one known villain, Coldblood; features a team of Chinese armored soldiers; features Dr. Aldrich Killian played by a major actor, Guy Pearce --- Killian was only a two-frame role in the comics, but apparently will be more important to this story

*Thor 2 --- involves Thor and Jane Foster traveling across the Nine Realms; Idris Elba suggests that it will explore the identity of the Asgardians a little more closely; Hemsworth hints that Loki might get "redemption" in this movie

*Captain America 2 --- set in the modern world; Cap will have close ties to SHIELD

*May 2014 movie, yet to be identified --- likely contenders for that role include Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, or even Hulk 2 (although to be fair, they haven't said for sure they're ready to bring Hulk back to the big screen)

*Avengers 2 --- probably involves *at least* a small role by Thanos, who was teased at the end of Avengers 2


Marvel hasn't said anything about "Phase III," or whether it's supposed to be some final movement, or just another chapter in a continuing saga.

Going from film history alone, it's far more likely that Marvel is doing each "phase" as a self-contained "saga" with films that are standalone, in the main, but very loosely connected through a central figure. In Phase I, Nick Fury/SHIELD was that central figure, and the assembly of the Avengers was the unifying thread.

For Phase II, I think the arrow points to Thanos being the unifying thread, with the Phase II movies I listed above having a vague connection to the Mad Titan somehow.

All you people still hanging on to the Star Wars analogy, consider this: Star Wars *sets up* the unifying thread in the very first movie. By movie's end, we *know* what the series is going to be about --- an overarcing tale of the Rebellion against the Empire. There's nothing in Phase I of the Avengers that points to a central story arch that's going to span three Phases....no central enemy, no all-encompassing war, no core group of heroes (despite all the speculation we're doing, we *really* have no clue what kind of Avengers roster will show up for Avengers 2, let alone Avengers 3).

Maybe as we learn more about IM3 and Thor 2, a clearer picture will develop about Marvel's plans for MCU's future, but until then, I'm not going to blindly assume we're looking at a rigid 3-act structure, like some of you clearly hope. What worked for Star Wars and Nolan's Batman and Raimi's Spider-Man may not work for the MCU at all. (And the jury is still out until the end of this summer as to how well the "trilogy, then reboot" strategy works for Bats and Spidey.)

True. But then again, I dont buy this either.

[marcvader]

No one outside of MS knows and that's the only fact we have. If you put all the movies prior to Avengers together you still don't know your getting what we got in Avengers other than the team getting together against a common foe. So us knowing the basic premises of the upcoming sequels doesn't give us one iota of what to expect in Avengers 2.

I personally like the upen ended trilogy idea but without a permanent death to a major character in the middle film. I do like the temporary feel of defeat though ala ESB.

[Alexei Belyakov]

^Hulk would be another great candidate for martyrdom in Avengers 2. Not as meaningful & heroic as the death of Steve Rogers would be, but impactful nonetheless. Also, as far as the Ultron theories, ANT-MAN's still in the air. It may or may or not be a part of Phase II. Its up to Wright whether it gets made pre-Avengers 2 or post-Avengers 2. That alone implies that whilst that film would have its own personal arc, that said arc wouldn't become the threat of Avengers 2. There's a reason Whedon introduced us to The Mad Titan as the closing statement to the first film. We now have to wait 3 years to hang out with that Titan. Not 6.

[jaqua99]

^Hulk would be another great candidate for martyrdom in Avengers 2. Not as meaningful & heroic as the death of Steve Rogers would be, but impactful nonetheless. Also, as far as the Ultron theories, ANT-MAN's still in the air. It may or may or not be a part of Phase II. Its up to Wright whether it gets made pre-Avengers 2 or post-Avengers 2. That alone implies that whilst that film would have its own personal arc, that said arc wouldn't become the threat of Avengers 2. There's a reason Whedon introduced us to The Mad Titan as the closing statement to the first film. We now have to wait 3 years to hang out with that Titan. Not 6.

Why are we assuming that Phase II will feature one main villian, and Phase III will feature one main villian? With this being said, we dont need for there to be a story arc for a villian.

So you work for marvel? Since you know we wont be waiting 6 years? What else can you tell me about future franchises?!? I want to know.

You don't know. we have know idea. If it were up to me, and I was going to have Thanos in the MCU, and if I planned on saving him for the 3rd movie, (atleast as the PRIMARY antagonist), then hell yes, I would tease him at the end of the avengers, just so the audience knows his presence..

[Blackman]

This is how I want to see Thanos handled. More or less.

Avengers 2:
Star-Lord or Adam Warlock come to Earth and their presence alerts SHIELD, they tell them that because of the events of Thor 2 the once thought of mythic Infinty Gems are now known to be a science instead of just a fable. The Mad-Titan Thanos is storming the galaxy, killing anything in his way to assemble the Gauntlet. The Avengers must go and find the rest of the infinity gems and guard them in Asgard, the best equipped place in the universe to battle a cosmic threat like Thanos, so the Avengers travel the galaxy and find the gems and guard them in Asgard to prepare for a huge war.

However Adam Warlock reveals himself to be a servant of the Lord Titan Thanos (clearly under mind control) and battles the avengers with sleeper cell members of the Universal church of truth. A lone spaceship lands in Asgard and Thanos walks out, revealed in full for the first time--Warlock hands him the Gauntlet, Thanos grins and blasts Warlock with a load of energy saying your services will no longer be needed.

The Avengers are noticabley terrified and they actually flee as Asgard crumbles around them with the flick of Thanos wrist. Odin tells them that he is going to use all the power he can summon and get the Avengers back to Earth....they are the universes last hope, he tells them with the Bifrost still broken it will keep Thanos in Asgard for the time being. He sends Adam Warlock too, then Odin implodes with a white light and all the Avengers appear on Earth, Odin is presumed dead so Thor is broken up. Loki says something like "The All-Father could have sent Thanos and Asgard into the Abyss...it could be years before he comes out." Fury "we'll have to be ready when he does."

A3: Opening scene is Thanos meeting death as a woman. and then it's basically about the infinity gauntlet and avengers being the only ones who can stop them. Maybe some self sacrficie by Loki who knows

Although I think that the Avengers 2 idea would have too much repercussions and effects on a third Thor movie, I still think the idea would be cool

[Alexei Belyakov]

Where the hell are people getting this idea that Thanos will not be the villain of Avengers 2 but rather Avengers 3? It makes no sense at all. It reminds me of all the people here who said "THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THANOS WILL COME OUT IN THE AVENGERS". Look how that turned out. Whedon showed us Thanos because Thanos is coming. He didn't tease us to then not use Thanos in the next film. Thanos will be the villain of Avengers 2. Again, you don't tease Palpatine in Empire Strikes Back to NOT use him in ROTJ. Just doesn't make sense. You don't tease Harry following in his father's footsteps at the end of SM2 to then go absolutely nowhere with it in SM3. The great thing about Thanos being teased in The Avengers is that there are 5 intermediate films where you can prolong that tease until you finally use him fully in Avengers 2. They did the same thing with The Avenger Initiative. Teased in 5 solo films before coming to fruition. IM3, Thor II, Cap 2 & GOTG will further set up the arrival of Thanos.

[Oberon sexton]

I imagine we'll see Thanos in TA2 though I don't think he'll be the exact front and centre threat, I think he'll be acting through some other force, much like how Palpatine used various apprentices throught the prequel trilogy.

[jaqua99]

Where the hell are people getting this idea that Thanos will not be the villain of Avengers 2 but rather Avengers 3? It makes no sense at all. It reminds me of all the people here who said "THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THANOS WILL COME OUT IN THE AVENGERS". Look how that turned out. Whedon showed us Thanos because Thanos is coming. He didn't tease us to then not use Thanos in the next film. Thanos will be the villain of Avengers 2. Again, you don't tease Palpatine in Empire Strikes Back to NOT use him in ROTJ. Just doesn't make sense. You don't tease Harry following in his father's footsteps at the end of SM2 to then go absolutely nowhere with it in SM3. The great thing about Thanos being teased in The Avengers is that there are 5 intermediate films where you can prolong that tease until you finally use him fully in Avengers 2. They did the same thing with The Avenger Initiative. Teased in 5 solo films before coming to fruition. IM3, Thor II, Cap 2 & GOTG will further set up the arrival of Thanos.

Thats not what some of us are suggesting. No one is saying he won't be in 2. Just not the main villian, or the main story. I see it centering around another villian, with him making appearances throughout the movie, and then something big in like, the last 30 minutes or so.


Not to mention that Either Joss or Fiege has said that they have a BIG Marvel Film event for 2017 or 2018, what else could that be?

[cherokeesam]

Thats not what some of us are suggesting. No one is saying he won't be in 2. Just not the main villian, or the main story. I see it centering around another villian, with him making appearances throughout the movie, and then something big in like, the last 30 minutes or so.


Not to mention that Either Joss or Fiege has said that they have a BIG Marvel Film event for 2017 or 2018, what else could that be?

Could be a lot of things. Like the return of film rights to Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four or X-Men.

To be honest, why would you assume an Avengers sequel would be considered "a big film event?" The big film event happened in 2012. Avengers 2 is just a sequel....there's no reason to play coy or try to hype it beyond what it already is.

[flickchick85]

Based on the interview Whedon gave on Thanos, its safe to say they're going the Star Wars route with The Avengers series. In Avengers 2, Thanos will either defeat the team or enslave Earth (or both) & leave the film in a very Empire Strikes Backish way. In Avengers 3, they'll figure out how to defeat him & he'll fall Palpatine-style. In A New Hope, the heroes won the battle, not the war. In The Avengers, the heroes won the battle not the war. In Empire, a hero fell (if only temporarily) & the others were left in peril. In Avengers 2, I'm sure someone will die & things will end bad for Mankind. The architecture for this series is perfect IMO. In 2018, if all goes as planned, we should be getting the ultimate showdown between Earth's Mightiest Heroes & The Mad Titan. Who knows where they'll go from there, if anywhere.
I love the sound of this, but I have my doubts that Whedon would actually want to go in that direction considering he regularly (but jokingly) bashes the ending of Empire Strikes Back. He's said things like, "that movie didn't even have an ending!" and when talking Avengers, I remember him saying something to the effect of, "I wanted to make sure this felt like a complete movie. Han is not frozen in carbonite at the end of it."

I'm pretty sure he actually loves ESB, but he might not be too keen on the idea of leaving everything in shambles at the end of TA2. Especially since there will have to be plenty of solo adventures in between TA2 and TA3.

[Alexei Belyakov]

What Feige said is that the next "event film" would transpire in 2015. That movie will clearly be Avengers 2. And again, I don't see any reason at all for Thanos not to be the main villain in that film. He already tried sickin' some lesser being on Earth & that didn't work out. Now its personal. It would make no sense for someone else to be sent to attack Earth or for some villain to make his play unbeknownst to Thanos. "To challenge them would be to court death." -The Other. That above statement is what sealed the deal on Thanos attacking Earth. Its not even about The Gauntlet (although I'm sure it will play a role). Its about making a statement. He'll come, invade, destroy & do it all just to prove he can. He'll leave our heroes shattered. That'll be the dynamic of the film. "We defeated a demigod & an alien army. We can take this guy!" Nope. Its simply a matter of escalation. You don't go from Thanos to Ultron. Hell, I wouldn't go to Ultron at all. Completely unimaginative to the GA.

[Blackman]

I wouldnt go for Ultron either. Not with Thanos around

[flickchick85]

Yeah, I'm not big on the idea of Ultron either, tbh.

[Alexei Belyakov]

If the 30-year-old (and counting) Terminator franchise didn't exist, Ultron could work & actually make for a very interesting threat. But since it does exist, to the GA Ultron would just be SKYNET-lite. Been there, done that, with an R-rating & the glory of Schwarzenegger.

[BigThor]

I see there's alot of Ultron hate going around in here, no matter he's still on the top of my list for A2's main villain.

http://undergroundwellness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/haters-gonna-hate-pimp.jpg

[Alexei Belyakov]

^again, why tease Thanos to culminate Phase II with a battle against PG SKYNET? Why build up towards this completely unoriginal cinematic concept through 4-5 solo films? Thor has dozens of foes that the GA would rather see than Ultron. Ultron in favor of Thanos is just baffling to me, specially since we've already been introduced to him.

[storyteller]

I see no reason why he would be saved for the third movie. He is not the end all be all baddie for the Avengers. Hell this idea of trilogies is even becoming out of date since so many series are breaking into 4 and 5's. I think he will be the main baddie for two and we will probably see someone new for three(like Kang, skrulls,Ultron,Kree, Masters of Evil....)

[BigThor]

^again, why tease Thanos to culminate Phase II with a battle against PG SKYNET? Why build up towards this completely unoriginal cinematic concept through 4-5 solo films? Thor has dozens of foes that the GA would rather see than Ultron. Ultron in favor of Thanos is just baffling to me, specially since we've already been introduced to him.

Think about it, who would they bring out after an IG wielding Thanos who's even more powerful than Galactus?

Surely there's gonna be an Avengers 3, I'm pretty postive everything won't end with Avengers 2.

[flickchick85]

Think about it, who would they bring out after an IG wielding Thanos who's even more powerful than Galactus?

Surely there's gonna be an Avengers 3, I'm pretty postive everything won't end with Avengers 2.
No one's suggesting Thanos would dissappear after A2, though. Some are suggesting he won't even be defeated in A2 at all.

[BigThor]

No one's suggesting Thanos would dissappear after A2, though. Some are suggesting he won't even be defeated in A2 at all.

Well why have the same villain in two Avengers films back to back?

[flickchick85]

Why have the same villain in two Avengers films back to back?
It did work for Star Wars.

[Blackman]

I see Thanos as the big bad of the whole Avengers trilogy. Id think that would work fine

[BigThor]

It did work for Star Wars.

Well that would be lame, because there are clearly other deserving Avenger's villains who could use some recognition.

However people are dead set on Thanos being A2's villain, so far be it for me to tell them differently I'll just wait until MS does. :woot:

[Alexei Belyakov]

Think about it, who would they bring out after an IG wielding Thanos who's even more powerful than Galactus?

Surely there's gonna be an Avengers 3, I'm pretty postive everything won't end with Avengers 2. I agree, Thanos is the top of the hill as far as villains go in the Marvel Universe (Galactus being the next best thing but he belongs to FOX). Whedon said it himself. But here's the thing, in Avengers 2 he will NOT be defeated. Like Empire, it'll be a film where the good guys can't win. A "personal" film. Thanos completes The Gauntlet, destroys or captures Earth & CUT TO BLACK. Then, in a third film we finish the story. The heroes find hope (help). This much larger group figures out how to defeat this monster & succeeds. We get that ROTJ ending where everything is back in order. Where The Avengers take back Earth & the casualties it took to do that will be honored. But to rise, first you must fall. In Avengers 2, they'll fall at the hand of Thanos. In Avengers 3, he'll fall.

[flickchick85]

Well that would be lame, because there are clearly other deserving Avenger's villains who could use some recognition.

However people are dead set on Thanos being A2's villain, so far be it for me to tell them differently I'll just wait until MS does. :woot:
Sounds like a plan. :p

[Blackman]

I agree, Thanos is the top of the hill as far as villains go in the Marvel Universe (Galactus being the next best thing but he belongs to FOX). Whedon said it himself. But here's the thing, in Avengers 2 he will NOT be defeated. Like Empire, it'll be a film where the good guys can't win. A "personal" film. Thanos completes The Gauntlet, destroys or captures Earth & CUT TO BLACK. Then, in a third film we finish the story. The heroes find hope (help). This much larger group figures out how to defeat this monster & succeeds. We get that ROTJ ending where everything is back in order. Where The Avengers take back Earth & the casualties it took to do that will be honored. But to rise, first you must fall. In Avengers 2, they'll fall at the hand of Thanos. In Avengers 3, he'll fall.

But wouldnt that leave the solo film sequels in an awkward spot

[flickchick85]

I agree, Thanos is the top of the hill as far as villains go in the Marvel Universe (Galactus being the next best thing but he belongs to FOX). Whedon said it himself. But here's the thing, in Avengers 2 he will NOT be defeated. Like Empire, it'll be a film where the good guys can't win. A "personal" film. Thanos completes The Gauntlet, destroys or captures Earth & CUT TO BLACK. Then, in a third film we finish the story. The heroes find hope (help). This much larger group figures out how to defeat this monster & succeeds. We get that ROTJ ending where everything is back in order. Where The Avengers take back Earth & the casualties it took to do that will be honored. But to rise, first you must fall. In Avengers 2, they'll fall at the hand of Thanos. In Avengers 3, he'll fall.
Alexei, and again, I love the idea of all this, but I'm curious as to how you'd expect them to handle the solo films that are expected to happen in between TA2 & TA3? Or do you expect them to do two Avengers movies back-to-back with no solo ventures after TA2?

[The Morningstar]

I think a better way to use Thanos is as the Emperor. Have his ominous presence continue to be built up through some of the solo films, like Thor 2, and Avengers 2. Save him for all his glory in Avengers 3.

[BigThor]

I agree, Thanos is the top of the hill as far as villains go in the Marvel Universe (Galactus being the next best thing but he belongs to FOX). Whedon said it himself. But here's the thing, in Avengers 2 he will NOT be defeated. Like Empire, it'll be a film where the good guys can't win. A "personal" film. Thanos completes The Gauntlet, destroys or captures Earth & CUT TO BLACK. Then, in a third film we finish the story. The heroes find hope (help). This much larger group figures out how to defeat this monster & succeeds. We get that ROTJ ending where everything is back in order. Where The Avengers take back Earth & the casualties it took to do that will be honored. But to rise, first you must fall. In Avengers 2, they'll fall at the hand of Thanos. In Avengers 3, he'll fall.

That could be a more "personal" film, but you're also forgetting about another word Whedon used which was "smaller.

There's no way that a film with Thanos successful taking over the earth is going to be a "smaller" film than The Avengers.

I think a better way to use Thanos is as the Emperor. Have his ominous presence continue to be built up through some of the solo films, like Thor 2, and Avengers 2. Save him for all his glory in Avengers 3.

This is what I'd want to see :up:

I'm positive Thanos isn't going to be the main villain in A2, I want everyone to remember BigThor said this.

[cherokeesam]

What Feige said is that the next "event film" would transpire in 2015. That movie will clearly be Avengers 2. And again, I don't see any reason at all for Thanos not to be the main villain in that film. He already tried sickin' some lesser being on Earth & that didn't work out. Now its personal. It would make no sense for someone else to be sent to attack Earth or for some villain to make his play unbeknownst to Thanos. "To challenge them would be to court death." -The Other. That above statement is what sealed the deal on Thanos attacking Earth. Its not even about The Gauntlet (although I'm sure it will play a role). Its about making a statement. He'll come, invade, destroy & do it all just to prove he can. He'll leave our heroes shattered. That'll be the dynamic of the film. "We defeated a demigod & an alien army. We can take this guy!" Nope. Its simply a matter of escalation. You don't go from Thanos to Ultron. Hell, I wouldn't go to Ultron at all. Completely unimaginative to the GA.

Thanos isn't sending underlings out to attack Earth. He doesn't *want* Earth. Loki was just classic misdirection --- he sent Loki to Midgard because he knew Loki's pride and arrogance would cause him to be defeated by the heroes, and the Cube would be returned to Asgard --- which is *exactly* what Thanos wanted. Cube in Asgard: Thanos' ticket into Odin's Treasury, where the Gauntlet awaits. That's what Thanos was after all along.

The "courting death" thing is just a play on words, since that's Thanos' entire raison d'etre --- courting (Mistress) Death.

But yes, you're absolutely right that Thanos will appear in Avengers 2. *Maybe* in Avengers 3, too, but definitely in Avengers 2. That's the way Marvel Studios' after-credits scenes work: they provide the setup to the next film that's being released. Which in this case, means we'll very likely see more Thanos "clues" as early as next year, in Iron Man 3 and Thor 2.

Think about it, who would they bring out after an IG wielding Thanos who's even more powerful than Galactus?

Surely there's gonna be an Avengers 3, I'm pretty postive everything won't end with Avengers 2.

Who said Avengers would end after Thanos? That's what I'm getting at --- some of you think that there's no stories left after Thanos, because he's simply too big. Look, the Avengers and the Marvel Universe has gone on to bigger and better (badder?) things each time Thanos has been defeated in the comics. There's still plenty of stories left to tell.

[Alexei Belyakov]

Alexei, and again, I love the idea of all this, but I'm curious as to how you'd expect them to handle the solo films that are expected to happen in between TA2 & TA3? Or do you expect them to do two Avengers movies back-to-back with no solo ventures after TA2?

Well, the same way IM3, Thor II, Cap 2 & GOTG will build up to Thanos' imminent arrival, the solo films in between Avengers 2 & Avengers 3 can build up to his imminent fall.

My guess is that those Phase III solo films will add alot to the roster.

-A Black Panther film
-An Inhumans film
-A Doc Strange film

Maybe a third Thor & a second GOTG but I highly doubt it.

By the time they face Thanos again, they'll have the necessary tools to take him.

Those should be the most interesting origin films too. The character's would be introduced just as everything's gone to hell.

I think a better way to use Thanos is as the Emperor. Have his ominous presence continue to be built up through some of the solo films, like Thor 2, and Avengers 2. Save him for all his glory in Avengers 3.

You can't have the GA wait 9 films to fully realize a character that was teased in The Avengers.

You can do it for 4 films through a behind the scenes presence, but definitely not 9. Star Wars teased Palpatine/Sidious only for 2 before fully unleashing him.

Who said Avengers would end after Thanos? That's what I'm getting at --- some of you think that there's no stories left after Thanos, because he's simply too big. Look, the Avengers and the Marvel Universe has gone on to bigger and better (badder?) things each time Thanos has been defeated in the comics. There's still plenty of stories left to tell.

It'll be a Thanos trilogy, but I'm sure they'll find a way to go after that. Too much money to be made (POTC4).

By the end of Phase III the studio will have produced almost 20 films. Hopefully the demand for CBMs will still be in play by 2020.

[marcvader]

Gotta say, love your big ideas, WB. A3 could be unlike anything before if MS puts their full roster up to that point against an IG wielding Thanos.

[Alexei Belyakov]

Gotta say, love your big ideas, WB. A3 could be unlike anything before if MS puts their full roster up to that point against an IG wielding Thanos.

You need EVERYONE to step up to take him.

You need an elaborate plot to either steal The Gauntlet or destroy it.

I get chills just writing this **** down.

Its not just Earth's Mightiest Heroes banding together, its the UNIVERSE's Mightiest Heroes banding together to defeat the ultimate evil.

The GOTG, Thor, Warlock, Doc Strange, The Inhumans, Hulk, Cap, Iron Man, Iron Fist, Black Panther, Giant Man, The Wasp, SHIELD, etc.....

THE MARVEL UNIVERSE VS. THANOS.

http://i46.tinypic.com/qzgkra.jpg

'nuff said.

[BigThor]

Who said Avengers would end after Thanos? That's what I'm getting at --- some of you think that there's no stories left after Thanos, because he's simply too big. Look, the Avengers and the Marvel Universe has gone on to bigger and better (badder?) things each time Thanos has been defeated in the comics. There's still plenty of stories left to tell.

Well I'm sure everyone's contracts are gonna be up after A3, so Thanos will definately be the end for THIS team of Avengers.

[Alexei Belyakov]

^The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Cap dying in Avengers 2. Evans won't wanna do more than 4 films. He's been trying to branch out as an actor for over a decade now & as great as this franchise is, I know its not his cup of tea. I picture a climax scene where the heroes are fighting Thanos on board a massive star destroyer-type vehicle in deep space & things go sour. Cap realizes they need to flee & maybe forces Tony & co. into an escape Pod saying he'll buy them time to take off. Cap: "I'll keep 'em busy. Just get the team outta here." Tony: "What? No. No way. You'll die!" Cap: "Relax. I've done it before." Tony: "You're not doing this, Rogers. You're not --" Cap closes the door as Tony's eyes begin to water. Cap salutes Tony through the glass & puts on his cowl, walking into a swarm of Thanos' soldiers. The Pod blasts into space while those inside (including a comatose Thor) remain silent. Cap continues to fight galantly until he's overwhelmed...FADE TO BLACK

[Blackman]

1) I dont think there's any indication that Cap/The Avengers isnt Evan's cup of tea. I think he even said if all goes well he'll play Cap until he's 40
2) Again that idea affects solo films too much. If Cap dies in Avengers 2 he would just have to come back in Cap 3

[Alexei Belyakov]

Evans has said it before - Danny Boyle's Sunshine is his best & favorite film he's done. He wants to do more films like that. He'll wanna jump ship when his contract ends. Same goes for Downey, although with the insane amount of money they're throwing at him he might be seduced to stick around indefinitely.

[Blackman]

Yeah when his contract is done. I think that's after Avengers 3 and Cap 3. I think, I'm not sure. That's still no indication that playing Cap isnt his cup of tea. Besides the rest of the Avengers still get to squeeze in some good work in between the Marvel films. I'm sure Evans could do it as well

[SuperheroFan]

Didn't Kevin Feige say that the Civil War story was on the table as a possibility for The Avengers 3?

[Oberon sexton]

I think it'd be interesting to see them use that Kree/Skrull war that they were planning for TA, maybe have it so that Thanos has manipulated the Kree and Skrull empires into declaring a genocidal war against each other causing billions to die in the crossfire. Giving plenty of offerings to his mistress :twisted:

[jaqua99]

Could be a lot of things. Like the return of film rights to Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four or X-Men.

To be honest, why would you assume an Avengers sequel would be considered "a big film event?" The big film event happened in 2012. Avengers 2 is just a sequel....there's no reason to play coy or try to hype it beyond what it already is.

Well hypothetically, what if Avengers 3 is an Infinity Gauntlet movie? At that point with many characters, you never know, could be a pretty big movie event

[jaqua99]

I see there's alot of Ultron hate going around in here, no matter he's still on the top of my list for A2's main villain.

http://undergroundwellness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/haters-gonna-hate-pimp.jpg

I am with ya on that BigThor. And Thanos is my favorite villian in marvel, hell, he gives Thor a HUGE run for his money as my favorite CHARACTER lately.

[cherokeesam]

Well I'm sure everyone's contracts are gonna be up after A3, so Thanos will definately be the end for THIS team of Avengers.

But, as I keep saying, the *characters* don't die/wander off/retire, they're just replaced by new actors. Feige has already made that clear. And besides, once their contracts run out, what makes you think that none of them will want to renegotiate? Sure, some of them might get tired of the gig, and maybe Marvel Studios will get tired of them; but it's equally as likely that at least a few of the actors will want to hang on to their meal ticket for many films to come.

[cherokeesam]

Well hypothetically, what if Avengers 3 is an Infinity Gauntlet movie? At that point with many characters, you never know, could be a pretty big movie event

Yes, IG would no doubt be a pretty big event. ;)
But I'm still curious to find out just exactly how they address IG's existence in the MCU --- because they will have to address the IG's existence in the MCU; can't be dodged.

As it stands right now, we see the IG in Odin's Treasury Room in Asgard. But so far, everyone's reluctant to call it truly "canon" for the MCU, since it only showed up briefly in a deleted/extra scene in Thor. If, however, that turns out to be canon as far as Feige is concerned, then we have to accept that all of the Thanos stories we know and love --- Thanos Quest, Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, etc. --- are already in the past. So the IG will be generating a new mythology exclusively for the films.

[Brooklyn Zoo]

I guess we'll never see Galactus :(

[louiebling$]

Yea I have a feeling Thanos will be built up in Thor 2 and Avengers 2 and won't become a full time villian till Avengers 3

And in my own personal speculation I think Thanos will be involved in Forming The Masters of Evil

[BigThor]

But, as I keep saying, the *characters* don't die/wander off/retire, they're just replaced by new actors. Feige has already made that clear. And besides, once their contracts run out, what makes you think that none of them will want to renegotiate? Sure, some of them might get tired of the gig, and maybe Marvel Studios will get tired of them; but it's equally as likely that at least a few of the actors will want to hang on to their meal ticket for many films to come.

That's too far ahead for me to even care about, I'm more concerned with things in the not to distant future.

[cherokeesam]

That's too far ahead for me to even care about, I'm more concerned with things in the not to distant future.

I'm glad Kevin Feige isn't as short-sighted, though. :oldrazz: He's clearly thinking long-term, and looking well past just five years from now.

[DrCosmic]

^Yes, but he's not making assumptions how things before then will turn out. There are no set in stone plans, just directions to move in.

[jaqua99]

Yes, IG would no doubt be a pretty big event. ;)
But I'm still curious to find out just exactly how they address IG's existence in the MCU --- because they will have to address the IG's existence in the MCU; can't be dodged.

As it stands right now, we see the IG in Odin's Treasury Room in Asgard. But so far, everyone's reluctant to call it truly "canon" for the MCU, since it only showed up briefly in a deleted/extra scene in Thor. If, however, that turns out to be canon as far as Feige is concerned, then we have to accept that all of the Thanos stories we know and love --- Thanos Quest, Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, etc. --- are already in the past. So the IG will be generating a new mythology exclusively for the films.

In the past? Or we can just assume that they never happened. As far as the MCU is concerned, I think this is going to be the first big threat with Thanos. Maybe in Thor 2, it will be revealed that he onced plotted to destroy a galaxy or the universe or something. But the thanos stories we all know and love, I think we'd just assume they never happened in the MCU. Although, I think I am misunderstanding what you are trying to say, so please enlighten me

[DrCosmic]

^He's saying that the IG already has all the gems in it. So you can't have Thanos on a quest to get all the gems and all that stuff.

[The Morningstar]

Who says the Gauntlet has all the gems in it? Maybe one or two are missing. Maybe Odin thought better than to keep the Gauntlet complete, and scattered some of the gems into the cosmos.

[BigThor]

I'm glad Kevin Feige isn't as short-sighted, though. :oldrazz: He's clearly thinking long-term, and looking well past just five years from now.

Well I'm not Feige's position so it wouldn't do me any good to be all "well in 15 years we can do this", that's a pretty pointless comparison.

No thanks, I'd rather focus on the matter at hand than to be all "well in 15 years they can bring out so and so".

[The Morningstar]

The problem with planning too far ahead is that you don't wanna hold too much back in the now. You want to make the best films, the best stories you can. Because if you start trying to save too much, put too much stock in the far flung future, people might just become disinterested.

[BigThor]

the problem with planning too far ahead is that you don't wanna hold too much back in the now. You want to make the best films, the best stories you can. Because if you start trying to save too much, put too much stock in the far flung future, people might just become disinterested.

Qft

[Chewy]

I want Thanos to be the main villain in both Avengers 2 and Avengers 3.

[BigThor]

I want Thanos to be the main villain in both Avengers 2 and Avengers 3.

Damn you Chewy! :argh:

[The Morningstar]

I'm not sure about him being the main villain for Avengers 2. But i definitely want to see him do something bad ass in either Thor 2 or Avengers 2. Show the GA what Thanos is all about, build the anticipation.

[flickchick85]

I want Thanos to be the main villain in both Avengers 2 and Avengers 3.
Ditto.

[Alexei Belyakov]

Thanos will be the main villain in Avengers 2. Why? Because the studio's not gonna make the GA sit through 9 films & wait 6 years to see him in full force. Like Morningstar said, you can't drag things out too long. People lose interest. 2015 will be the year of The Titan.

[DrCosmic]

Who says the Gauntlet has all the gems in it? Maybe one or two are missing. Maybe Odin thought better than to keep the Gauntlet complete, and scattered some of the gems into the cosmos.

It clearly had all the gems visible on it.

I want Thanos to be the main villain in both Avengers 2 and Avengers 3.

That's also a possibility.

Thanos will be the main villain in Avengers 2. Why? Because the studio's not gonna make the GA sit through 9 films & wait 6 years to see him in full force. Like Morningstar said, you can't drag things out too long. People lose interest. 2015 will be the year of The Titan.

I wasn't aware that he couldn't show up at the end of Av2 in full force and still not be the main villain of the whole movie.

[BigThor]

I'm positive Thanos isn't going to be the main villain in A2, I want everyone to remember BigThor said this.

^ Don't forget about this everyone write it down, take a picture, engrave it into your memory banks!

[The Question]

Why does everyone think that it would only be going down hill after Thanos? The Avengers have tons of great villains and story arcs to draw on.

Hell, following Thanos up with the Korvac Saga or Secret War would be ten times as epic.

And really, I ask, why must their be an escalation of action for their to be an escalation?

Like, take Ultron. Yes, he's arguably less powerful and a smaller threat than Thanos. But he's also WAY more personal. Assuming the Pyms are in any movie he's in, he's a symbol of Hank's greatest failure and a trigger and stressor for his mental illness, he has a weird sexual obsession with The Wasp, and he's absolutely ruthless in dealing with the things that are in his way.

If the Pyms were an established and integrated part of the team in whatever movie Ultron is in, it would be a pretty intense story.

And that's just one example.

[jaqua99]

I agree, Thanos is the top of the hill as far as villains go in the Marvel Universe (Galactus being the next best thing but he belongs to FOX). Whedon said it himself. But here's the thing, in Avengers 2 he will NOT be defeated. Like Empire, it'll be a film where the good guys can't win. A "personal" film. Thanos completes The Gauntlet, destroys or captures Earth & CUT TO BLACK. Then, in a third film we finish the story. The heroes find hope (help). This much larger group figures out how to defeat this monster & succeeds. We get that ROTJ ending where everything is back in order. Where The Avengers take back Earth & the casualties it took to do that will be honored. But to rise, first you must fall. In Avengers 2, they'll fall at the hand of Thanos. In Avengers 3, he'll fall.

You seem aweful sure about this. Since you know this for a fact, can you tell me what other heroes will be added to the roster? I want to know.. :doh:

I doubt this will happen. I would love for it to happen, seeing my favorite baddie getting all the recognition he deserves, but I mean, with it being such a big franchise, you think they would try to use different villians for each movie? wouldnt you?

[jaqua99]

That could be a more "personal" film, but you're also forgetting about another word Whedon used which was "smaller.

There's no way that a film with Thanos successful taking over the earth is going to be a "smaller" film than The Avengers.



This is what I'd want to see :up:

I'm positive Thanos isn't going to be the main villain in A2, I want everyone to remember BigThor said this.

and JAQUA99 has been saying it before the first movie was released!!!! Ive been saying it that Thanos will be the main villian in 3 for months!! And I still completely see there being a possiblity for Ultron. Yes I am spelling words wrong. No I don't care. I mean, like I said, Ant-Man would be silly to the GA, why do a movie, but to introduce Ultron? This all assuming we do get an Ant-Man movie of course. Big If. If its announced that there will be an ant-man movie, Ultron Avengers 2. Bank on it. I know its a coincidence, but every prediction I made about thethe avengers has come true, so I am hoping I can keep the streak alive. :D

[The Question]

That could be a more "personal" film, but you're also forgetting about another word Whedon used which was "smaller.

There's no way that a film with Thanos successful taking over the earth is going to be a "smaller" film than The Avengers.

1: Why is that what the plot of the movie has to be?

2: Thanos doesn't conquer things. That's not what he does. What he does is mass murder for it's own sake.

[cherokeesam]

and JAQUA99 has been saying it before the first movie was released!!!! Ive been saying it that Thanos will be the main villian in 3 for months!! And I still completely see there being a possiblity for Ultron. Yes I am spelling words wrong. No I don't care. I mean, like I said, Ant-Man would be silly to the GA, why do a movie, but to introduce Ultron? This all assuming we do get an Ant-Man movie of course. Big If. If its announced that there will be an ant-man movie, Ultron Avengers 2. Bank on it. I know its a coincidence, but every prediction I made about thethe avengers has come true, so I am hoping I can keep the streak alive. :D

Every MS post-cred sequence has more or less set up the next movie to be released. With the exception of 2008's IM and TIH sequences pointing farther afield to Avengers, 2012. That's 4 years. You honestly think Marvel would use the 2012 Avengers film to set up a film that's even *farther* away than that.....? I mean, what could possibly be the point....? "Hey, you guys still remember that nameless guy we teased in a film five to seven years ago.....? :woot: No? :dry: Still interested....? :cwink: No.....? :csad:"

[ken smith]

What does GA stand for?

[DrCosmic]

General Audience - The Masses, the Average Movie Goers, people that don't read/know comics, and only vaguely know anything beyond what they've seen in comic book movies, if that.

Every MS post-cred sequence has more or less set up the next movie to be released. With the exception of 2008's IM and TIH sequences pointing farther afield to Avengers, 2012. That's 4 years. You honestly think Marvel would use the 2012 Avengers film to set up a film that's even *farther* away than that.....? I mean, what could possibly be the point....? "Hey, you guys still remember that nameless guy we teased in a film five to seven years ago.....? :woot: No? :dry: Still interested....? :cwink: No.....? :csad:"

What? We know Thanos is going to be in Avengers 2, as well as GoG and probably Thor 2. What's being discussed is if he'll be the main villain. Why would you ignore all the progress we've made in this conversation?

[jaqua99]

Every MS post-cred sequence has more or less set up the next movie to be released. With the exception of 2008's IM and TIH sequences pointing farther afield to Avengers, 2012. That's 4 years. You honestly think Marvel would use the 2012 Avengers film to set up a film that's even *farther* away than that.....? I mean, what could possibly be the point....? "Hey, you guys still remember that nameless guy we teased in a film five to seven years ago.....? :woot: No? :dry: Still interested....? :cwink: No.....? :csad:"

Not what I meant at all.

No I don't think it will be used to set up Avengers 3. I think it was used to set up Thanos. Period. Letting us knew that there is a future in the MCU. If he becomes a player, I don't see it becoming a loss of interest. He's played, and is a main character in other movies. But the movie where he has his full fledged plan will simply be avengers 3. If thats the case. So no, I don't think they used that scene to set him up for Avengers 3. I think they used it to set him up, period.

catch my drift?

[The Morningstar]

It clearly had all the gems visible on it.


You could tell from that split second shot of it in Thor?

[jaqua99]

General Audience - The Masses, the Average Movie Goers, people that don't read/know comics, and only vaguely know anything beyond what they've seen in comic book movies, if that.



What? We know Thanos is going to be in Avengers 2, as well as GoG and probably Thor 2. What's being discussed is if he'll be the main villain. Why would you ignore all the progress we've made in this conversation?


basically. Although, its hard to understand, my typing sometimes lack context.

[ken smith]

General Audience - The Masses, the Average Movie Goers, people that don't read/know comics, and only vaguely know anything beyond what they've seen in comic book movies, if that.



What? We know Thanos is going to be in Avengers 2, as well as GoG and probably Thor 2. What's being discussed is if he'll be the main villain. Why would you ignore all the progress we've made in this conversation?

Thanks DrCosmic

[Alexei Belyakov]

Every MS post-cred sequence has more or less set up the next movie to be released. With the exception of 2008's IM and TIH sequences pointing farther afield to Avengers, 2012. That's 4 years. You honestly think Marvel would use the 2012 Avengers film to set up a film that's even *farther* away than that.....? I mean, what could possibly be the point....? "Hey, you guys still remember that nameless guy we teased in a film five to seven years ago.....? :woot: No? :dry: Still interested....? :cwink: No.....? :csad:" This. It wouldn't make any sense at all for Thanos not to be the main villain in Avengers 2. Its like if in The Avengers instead of giving us the full extent of SHIELD & Fury, they still kept them in the background. The GA (& myself) would say "What's with Sam Jackson showing up in all these movies for no reason? & why are those government guys always popping up at random?" 3 years & 4-5 films is enough setup for Thanos.

[Oberon sexton]

The biggest problem with that scenario is that Thanos winning would most likely result in earth getting destroyed, and or the human race getting wiped out. Doesn't work if you want to do, cap 3, Thor 3, Iron man4 etc you'd need Thanos to work through someone whom can inflict damage, but also be defeated in some capacity. Yes have an Avenger killed, have them all brought to an emotional breaking point, but leave earth intact for other franchises.

[BigThor]

1: Why is that what the plot of the movie has to be?

2: Thanos doesn't conquer things. That's not what he does. What he does is mass murder for it's own sake.

I was clearly responding to Alexei's post that said Thanos should conquer earth in Avengers 2, so maybe you should've quoted him.

[BigThor]

Double post

[cherokeesam]

Not what I meant at all.

No I don't think it will be used to set up Avengers 3. I think it was used to set up Thanos. Period. Letting us knew that there is a future in the MCU. If he becomes a player, I don't see it becoming a loss of interest. He's played, and is a main character in other movies. But the movie where he has his full fledged plan will simply be avengers 3. If thats the case. So no, I don't think they used that scene to set him up for Avengers 3. I think they used it to set him up, period.

catch my drift?

Okay, yeah, I catch your drift now. Yes, I believe that's what Thanos will become --- a *recurring* character in at least a few of the Phase II movies.

But I'm still not following your and Dr.Cosmic's theory that we won't get a full-scale confrontation with Thanos until TA3. Wayyyyy too far away for an adequate payoff. You guys keep going with the Emperor in Star Wars analogy, but there's a huge difference: that was set up over three movies, in the span of six years (77-83....three years, really, 80-83, when you consider that the Emperor isn't actually referenced until ESB). By contrast, you're talking about a Thanos that is being set up over three PHASES, and potentially *many* films, and potentially twice as long as the gulf separating ESB and ROTJ.

I don't think that's going to happen. You're talking about Thanos overload, and turning the GA off of the character by dangling him in bits and snippets here and there without paying off until the end of Phase III. I don't think Marvel would succeed as cockteases.

[jaqua99]

Okay, yeah, I catch your drift now. Yes, I believe that's what Thanos will become --- a *recurring* character in at least a few of the Phase II movies.

But I'm still not following your and Dr.Cosmic's theory that we won't get a full-scale confrontation with Thanos until TA3. Wayyyyy too far away for an adequate payoff. You guys keep going with the Emperor in Star Wars analogy, but there's a huge difference: that was set up over three movies, in the span of six years (77-83....three years, really, 80-83, when you consider that the Emperor isn't actually referenced until ESB). By contrast, you're talking about a Thanos that is being set up over three PHASES, and potentially *many* films, and potentially twice as long as the gulf separating ESB and ROTJ.

I don't think that's going to happen. You're talking about Thanos overload, and turning the GA off of the character by dangling him in bits and snippets here and there without paying off until the end of Phase III. I don't think Marvel would succeed as cockteases.

True. We will see.

[Alexei Belyakov]

Oberon, I have a strong feeling that the solo films in Phase III will mainly consist of introductory stories for characters that will be added to the roster. Not sequels. Doc Strange, The Inhumans, Black Panther, etc. I highly doubt that Phase III will contain an IM4 or a Cap 3. Remember, these Phases only have 4-5 films & said 4-5 films are basically exposition for the culminating "Event" film. If Thanos has left Earth in ruins in Avengers 2, you can appropriately bring in Strange, BP & The Inhumans in Phase III to aid The Avengers in the ongoing conflict. Those solo films would simultaneously take place during the war, leading up to a final battle in Avengers 3.

[BigThor]

and JAQUA99 has been saying it before the first movie was released!!!! Ive been saying it that Thanos will be the main villian in 3 for months!! And I still completely see there being a possiblity for Ultron. Yes I am spelling words wrong. No I don't care. I mean, like I said, Ant-Man would be silly to the GA, why do a movie, but to introduce Ultron? This all assuming we do get an Ant-Man movie of course. Big If. If its announced that there will be an ant-man movie, Ultron Avengers 2. Bank on it. I know its a coincidence, but every prediction I made about thethe avengers has come true, so I am hoping I can keep the streak alive. :D

I've been saying it for months as well, so I'm just gonna watch people go crazy with hypotheticals and wait until A2 rolls around. :cool:

[jaqua99]

I've been saying it for months as well, so I'm just gonna watch people go crazy with hypotheticals and wait until A2 rolls around. :cool:

yup I know you have. I hope so. I don't see Ultron being ridiculous at all.

[KangConquers]

Am I the only one who seems to remember Feige implying Avengers 3 might be Civil War?

There's your trilogy.

Loki/ Chitauri
Thanos
Civil War.

[Oberon sexton]

Am I the only one who seems to remember Feige implying Avengers 3 might be Civil War?

There's your trilogy.

Loki/ Chitauri
Thanos
Civil War.

Civil War sucked. They turned Iron Man into a faschist and made Cap a violent thug.
No way in hell would, or should, Marvel use that story as a template :o

[Avenger]

Civil War sucked. They turned Iron Man into a faschist and made Cap a violent thug.
No way in hell would, or should, Marbel use that story as a template :oThere's nothing wrong with the basic idea. I doubt an MCU version would follow the comics version exactly. More likely they'd take the parts that did work and go from there.

[cherokeesam]

There's nothing wrong with the basic idea. I doubt an MCU version would follow the comics version exactly. More likely they'd take the parts that did work and go from there.

The "basic idea" comes from two concepts that will be horribly, horribly outdated by 2017 (or later; whenever Avengers 3 is due):

a) that superheroes need to be registered so that SHIELD can monitor them. So far, the MCU is opening with a very clear move towards that at the outset. The issue that superheroes were vigilantes who acted without limits or authority had been around for fifty years, and CW was just Marvel's way of saying, "hey, you know, what gives them the right to be judge, jury and executioner?"

b) George W. Bush's neo-fascism (Patriot Act, red state vs. blue state, etc). Civil War spoke to the political climate in America circa 2005; there'll be a very different dynamic 10-12 years after that.

Civil War is entirely unnecessary in the MCU, and doesn't even fit.

[jaqua99]

The "basic idea" comes from two concepts that will be horribly, horribly outdated by 2017 (or later; whenever Avengers 3 is due):

a) that superheroes need to be registered so that SHIELD can monitor them. So far, the MCU is opening with a very clear move towards that at the outset. The issue that superheroes were vigilantes who acted without limits or authority had been around for fifty years, and CW was just Marvel's way of saying, "hey, you know, what gives them the right to be judge, jury and executioner?"

b) George W. Bush's neo-fascism (Patriot Act, red state vs. blue state, etc). Civil War spoke to the political climate in America circa 2005; there'll be a very different dynamic 10-12 years after that.

Civil War is entirely unnecessary in the MCU, and doesn't even fit.

Agreed. Not to mention, atleast to me, it wasn't really an avengers story. It was just more of a marvel story.

[Radioactive1980]

The biggest problem with that scenario is that Thanos winning would most likely result in earth getting destroyed, and or the human race getting wiped out. Doesn't work if you want to do, cap 3, Thor 3, Iron man4 etc you'd need Thanos to work through someone whom can inflict damage, but also be defeated in some capacity. Yes have an Avenger killed, have them all brought to an emotional breaking point, but leave earth intact for other franchises.

That's what I was thinking... If we consider Thanos being TA opponent in A2, and that he defeats them at the end TESB style, then how could there be any phase III films prior to A3 because everyone would be captured/defeated/killed etc. That would not work.

So I'm thinking he's either going to be the enemy in A2 and be defeated by the end which would be lame, or be saved for A3.

[marcvader]

I think our heroes can be defeated without necessarily destroying earth. This could happen off planet or in another realm.

[The Question]

Well, what Thanos winning means depends on what his goal is. If his only goal is to kill everyone on Earth to appease Death, then yeah, him winning wouldn't work out. But if his plan is more complicated, then he can get the thing so he can do the thing later and The Avengers can fail to stop him.

Also, there's such a think as a pyrrhic victory. The Avengers could stop him from achieving any of his goals, but he could hurt them so badly in the process that it feels like they lost.

[Blackman]

I think our heroes can be defeated without necessarily destroying earth. This could happen off planet or in another realm.

That's why I like the idea of Thanos taking over Asgard. Although that probably would affect Thor too much



Also, there's such a think as a pyrrhic victory. The Avengers could stop him from achieving any of his goals, but he could hurt them so badly in the process that it feels like they lost.
That'd work well too

[Alexei Belyakov]

A defeat in Asgard would not sufficiently impact the heroes nor the audience. It would really only hurt Thor. Remember, in the Star Wars universe, ALL planets are under Imperial dominance. The Rebels are scattered & really have no "home" planet. In the MCU, Earth is the "home" planet. Its destruction affects all the members of The Avengers & would also elicit a tremendous emotional response from the viewer. My best guess is that Thanos will complete The Gauntlet & ravage Earth in the second act, forcing the heroes to run. They devise a plan, one out of desperation, to hit Thanos aboard his primary vessel. In the third act, a large confrontation ensues between the group & Thanos - resulting in an Avengers casualty & yet another close escape. Earth is lost, The Nine Realms are all under attack, evil is victorious. But there is hope, perhaps after the credits. In a third film, an expanded version of The Avengers (think The Rebellion) take back the planet, free the realms & recover The Gauntlet.

[Oberon sexton]

Still doesn't work in the phase formate that they're using. Even if phase 3 doesn't involve the big four you've still got Black Panther,Ant-man, dr.Strange that need to be set on earth. Can't do any of those origin stories justice if Thanos has destroyed earth. Literally, you cannot tell an Ant-man or Black Panther story in any other world. Dr.Strange needs to be a brilliant surgeon etc.

[The Question]

A defeat in Asgard would not sufficiently impact the heroes nor the audience. It would really only hurt Thor. Remember, in the Star Wars universe, ALL planets are under Imperial dominance. The Rebels are scattered & really have no "home" planet. In the MCU, Earth is the "home" planet. Its destruction affects all the members of The Avengers & would also elicit a tremendous emotional response from the viewer. My best guess is that Thanos will complete The Gauntlet & ravage Earth in the second act, forcing the heroes to run. They devise a plan, one out of desperation, to hit Thanos aboard his primary vessel. In the third act, a large confrontation ensues between the group & Thanos - resulting in an Avengers casualty & yet another close escape. Earth is lost, The Nine Realms are all under attack, evil is victorious. But there is hope, perhaps after the credits. In a third film, an expanded version of The Avengers (think The Rebellion) take back the planet, free the realms & recover The Gauntlet.

The thing is, Thanos doesn't conquer things. He just kills people. If he were going to do anything to the Earth it would be destroying it.

[Alexei Belyakov]

^It works because it actually justifies the need to introduce new heroes in Phase III (through solo films). Doc Strange, BP, The Inhumans...they're all affected by Earth & The Nine Realms coming under attack. Their respective films would not only introduce the GA to their origins but also throw them immediately into the conflict with Thanos. The idea here is to build up the roster as a final stand against The Titan. Phase II will probably only add The Pyms & The GOTG to the mix. The roster facing Thanos is too small to take him by the end of Avengers 2. In a third film taking place after 4-5 Phase III solo films, we can have a roster large enough to believably defeat the guy (or just steal The Gauntlet). I'm also confident that at the end of Avengers 2, most probably as an after-the-credits scene, they'll introduce Adam Warlock - who will shadow the Phase III solo films & contribute to Thanos' downfall in Avengers 3.

[Radioactive1980]

Does anyone think if A2 made stupid money again Kevin Feige would finally give Hulk another film in phase III?

[Alexei Belyakov]

^I think Hulk will be an exclusive Avengers character from here on out. Plus, I think Phase III will consist mainly of origin films for the new additions to the roster. Doc Strange, Inhumans, BP & maybe Luke Cage, Iron Fist & The Punisher. A fourth Iron Man, third Captain America & second Incredible Hulk movie are highly unlikely.

[R_Hythlodeus]

Does anyone think if A2 made stupid money again Kevin Feige would finally give Hulk another film in phase III?
We're closer to a Ruffahulk solo movie than we ever were before.



:word:

[Radioactive1980]

^I think Hulk will be an exclusive Avengers character from here on out. Plus, I think Phase III will consist mainly of origin films for the new additions to the roster. Doc Strange, Inhumans, BP & maybe Luke Cage, Iron Fist & The Punisher. A fourth Iron Man, third Captain America & second Incredible Hulk movie are highly unlikely.

Interesting. Of course if a film makes money, they will give it a sequel so I wouldn't rule out IM4, he is after all Marvel Studios most successful solo franchise.

And what makes you think they will do a Punisher film in phase III? All 3 Punisher films so far have been panned by the critics and sucked at the box office. Not to mention the character is R-rated and as such would not fit with the tone of the Avengers films.

[OsGom]

The "basic idea" comes from two concepts that will be horribly, horribly outdated by 2017 (or later; whenever Avengers 3 is due):

a) that superheroes need to be registered so that SHIELD can monitor them. So far, the MCU is opening with a very clear move towards that at the outset. The issue that superheroes were vigilantes who acted without limits or authority had been around for fifty years, and CW was just Marvel's way of saying, "hey, you know, what gives them the right to be judge, jury and executioner?"

b) George W. Bush's neo-fascism (Patriot Act, red state vs. blue state, etc). Civil War spoke to the political climate in America circa 2005; there'll be a very different dynamic 10-12 years after that.

Civil War is entirely unnecessary in the MCU, and doesn't even fit.

In addition to Cherokee's points. Currently there are no MU heroes with secret identities to protect and not nearly enough heroes to support a Civil War storyline. I wouldn't flat out rule it out as a future arc but it's way to early to even consider.

I envision Thanos as kind of a Sauron/Dark Overlord type character who would work through henchmen and intermediaries. His presence is felt but not fully realized until the final chapter. I would have the heroes solo films relate, in some way large or small, to the collection of the soul stones and finish the series with an Infinity Gauntlet adaptation.

The keys will be maintaining the high quality of the heroes solo films while introducing the elements of Thanos's influence.

[The Question]

The problem with that is that it doesn't seem very much like Thanos to me. I mean, yeah, they might change him for the films, which I'll probably be okay with if the movie is still good, but the thing about Thanos in the comics is that he is very hands on. He almost never has minions of henchmen. He works with people when he has to in order to get what he wants, but in any circumstance where he can go out and do it himself he does so.

[OsGom]

The problem with that is that it doesn't seem very much like Thanos to me. I mean, yeah, they might change him for the films, which I'll probably be okay with if the movie is still good, but the thing about Thanos in the comics is that he is very hands on. He almost never has minions of henchmen. He works with people when he has to in order to get what he wants, but in any circumstance where he can go out and do it himself he does so.

Well aside from his adoptive daughter Gamora, Geatar, creations like the Thanosi, armies of space pirates and grunts like the Blood Brothers he has also controlled or manipulated numerous villains and heroes for his own ends.

I do see your point, he is one of the few upper tier villains that seems to like getting his hands dirty but he isn't above using other resources to acheive his ends. I could easily see him manipulating things behind the scenes. This would be especially useful for introducing characters like Gamora, Moondragon or even Drax or introducing organizations like the Universal Church of Truth.

Yes we will definitely want to see Thanos step in and mix it up at some point but they don't need to blow their wad right away.