We’ve waited for nearly a year, and now we’re just a matter of weeks away from the Endgame. The Avengers: Endgame, that is – the hugely-anticipated Infinity War sequel set to be a thunderous continuation of that film’s devastating climax: Thanos succeeding in his goal to unite all six Infinity Stones, clicked his fingers and making half of all life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe crumble to dust. Now it’s up to the survivors – including the recently-introduced Captain Marvel – to put everything back again, and it’s going to be one hell of a Herculean task. With less than a month to do, here’s what we know so far about the next Avengers movie.
Who Survived Avengers: Infinity War?
Those left standing in the wake of Thanos’ click include: Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor, Hulk, Rocket, War Machine, Nebula, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Okoye, Wong, Valkyrie, Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan – and Thanos himself, basking in the glow of his bold new world. All the remaining heroes appeared in a bunch of character posters, which you can look at here.
What's The Story Of Avengers: Endgame?
The remaining Avengers have to fix the fact that half of all life in the universe was snapped out of existence, and give Thanos a whupping for it. Easy, right? Well, maybe not. Tony Stark is adrift in space, Cap and Black Widow are working with dwindled numbers, and Hawkeye’s gone dark. But they have a whole film to work on it, so we're hopeful. And we know that at least some of those who vanished will be back, lest the next Spider-Man film feature a pile of dust in a suit – and by the looks of the Far From Home trailer, that’s very much not the case. The same goes for any Black Panther or Doctor Strange sequels (which Ryan Coogler and Scott Derrickson are said to be working on, respectively). We’d endorse Letitia Wright's Shuri taking over the Panther suit – but according to those Endgame character posters, with snap survivors featured in colour and the dusted depicted in black and white, she was an off-screen victim of the attack.
According to Marvel boss Kevin Feige, Endgame has a finality to it. "Storylines can come to an end," he told the Toronto Sun. "The best stories do come to an end. Return Of The Jedi was an ending for a long time and as a 10-year-old in 1983 that carried me through 30 years until there was a sequel. That hasn’t happened before in the superhero genre. A new actor comes in and a new storyline starts right away. We wanted to do it this way because we think that the best stories have a definitive ending to a storyline. That’s certainly what’s going to happen with Avengers 4. […] Bringing a definitive conclusion at the 22-film mark, and just over 10 years, seemed like the right thing to do."
Elsewhere, Scarlett Johansson told Empire that Black Widow is “fucking pissed off” in the movie. “The one thing we know about Natasha is that she’s going to hunker down and she’s going to get those motherfuckers. That’s her MO,” she said. Watch out, Thanos.
Is the Avengers: Endgame Trailer Out?
Yes! You mean you haven’t seen it yet? What are you doing?! Watch it here.
The above full trailer arrived after a string of teasers – the first of which was this impressively moody first look.
Then came this short Super Bowl trailer.
And here’s a final ‘Special Look’ teaser, the most recent trailer, which perhaps shows a little more than you might want to see – watch at your own discretion.
What’s The Runtime Of Avengers: Endgame?
It’s official: Endgame is the longest film in the MCU by a considerable margin. Its official runtime clocks in at 3 hours and 2 minutes – 20 minutes longer than Infinity War, which previously held the record. This is your written warning, everyone – plan your toilet breaks tactically.
What Are The Biggest Avengers: Endgame Rumours?
With a nod to potential spoilers here (so avoid this section if you're concerned), there have been set reports of the characters in classic costumes, pointing to some potential time-trickery and re-visiting of previous battles/moments in MCU history. One assumes that's because many of them hinge upon the Infinity Stones.
There's also plenty of speculation around who'll be left standing by the end of the film. Chris Evans shared a Tweet after wrapping on Endgame effectively saying farewell to his time playing Captain America. "Officially wrapped on Avengers 4," he wrote. "It was an emotional day to say the least. Playing this role over the last 8 years has been an honor. To everyone in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the audience, thank you for the memories! Eternally grateful.” Cue all the speculation over whether Cap will bite the dust, or merely hang up the shield by the end of the film.
Worries for Tony Stark’s future have also been fuelled by Gwyneth Paltrow revealing that Endgame is her final Marvel movie. Is that because Iron Man is no more, and Pepper Potts is bowing out with him? Or are the pair simply due a lovely retirement together?
Oh, and there is a rumour that Ant-Man will shrink himself, launch himself up Thanos’ back end and re-enlarge in horrendously gory fashion. Can you imagine? On second thought, we’d rather not.
What’s Going On With Hawkeye And Ant-Man?
Warning: spoilers for Ant-Man and the Wasp ahead
While both were referenced as living under house arrest following Civil War, both Clint "Hawkeye" Barton and Scott "Ant-Man" Lang are back in the fray for Endgame. Cobie Smulders' Maria Hill was attempting to contact Clint when she was dusted during Infinity War's coda – and when we see him in the Endgame trailer, he’s wearing a ninja-inspired Ronin costume, swapping his trademark bow for a deadly new blade. Let the theories rage on about when that shot takes place. As for Scott – and beware Ant-Man And The Wasp spoilers here – he was conveniently in the Quantum Realm when the snap occurred, so he's safe. And while he faces a hard time getting out of there, we seem him turning up to Avengers HQ with Luis’ van in the trailer.
Will Captain Marvel Show Up In Avengers: Endgame?
She does – and we get a look at her joining the gang in the film’s more recent teasers. If you didn’t see Captain Marvel – SPOILER WARNING – it had a mid-credits scene which saw Steve Rogers and Black Widow, presumably at Avengers HQ, standing by the intergalactic pager that Nick Fury activated in the Infinity War credits. Before you know it, Carol Danvers is standing behind them with a new ‘do and a slightly different costume. In the week after Captain Marvel arrived, a new Endgame teaser showed Carol meeting Thor – evidently she’s going to be a key player here, so get yourself to the multiplex if you missed her solo adventure.
Who is 13 Reasons Why's Katherine Langford Playing?
Langford's casting arrived via a news report in The Wrap at the end of October, but no details were included as to who she might play. Given the rumours of time travel in the movie, theories about her have included an older Cassie Lang, daughter of Scott, or even the grown daughter of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Right now, it's a case of wait and see.
Who Wrote The Avengers: Endgame Script?
The film's script was written, like Infinity War before it, by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who worked on both movies at once. They developed the screenplay alongside directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo.
When Will The Film Arrive?
Avengers: Endgame is out in UK cinemas on 25 April – a whole day earlier than in the US. Still, some lucky countries get it even earlier, on 24 April. Arrange your flights now, people.