The conversation around what can be expected from Avengers 5 has been very diverse. After Jonathan Majors’s exit and Marvel’s decision to change the title of the fifth film of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to untitled Avengers 5, fans cannot help but wonder what approach the franchise will take for its future. While many are expecting the character of Kang to be recast and the films to move on from the speed bump that it faced, it seems to be unlikely.
This has prompted many fans to come up with alternate storylines for the film; from a new villain, a new story, or a complete reboot for the franchise. One such fan shared a theory that has credibility to back it up. They believe there is a possibility that the next film to come out will focus on World War Hulk as the main antagonist and turn Avengers: Secret Wars into a two-part film.
A Hulk-Centered Avengers Film
For more than a few years, many credible sources have suggested that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is working on a project with the Hulk at its center. Some suggested that it would be hinted in Captain America: Brave New World, while some have proposed that there will be a film where the Hulk will lose control and turn into the World War Hulk. Regardless, the one thing that has stayed constant is that the film would not frame the Hulk as the protagonist, but as the antagonist.
KostisPat257 on Reddit spoke on exactly this, detailing their theory of what is going to happen, not only with the next Avengers film but also with Avengers: Secret Wars. While it has been said that the fifth Avengers movie will begin film in late 2024, for a release in 2026, they believe it to be highly unlikely. The reasoning for the same is the fact that there is a lot at stake for Marvel Studios to rush the project.
On top of writing an exceptional script and recasting Kang (if they go with their original plan), they also have to make sure that this film can exceed their fanbase’s expectations and bring their interests back into the previously beloved franchise. This is where the Hulk film comes into play.
It was suggested by Alex Perez, a highly credible source, that the Hulk film would follow a format similar to Captain America: Civil War, being almost like Avengers 4.5. Many different types of Hulks are the main threats to Earth and the Avengers must stop them. The bonding and forming of connections between the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes would also be a big theme of this film.
What Would Happen To Avengers: Secret Wars?
KostisPat257 went on to state that it could be possible for Marvel to make an Avengers film before delving into the two films that are supposed to end the Multiverse Saga. This would mean that the films that were going to deal with Kang as a conflict, would get turned into Avengers 6 and 7, and the film would solely focus on creating more of a connection between characters who feel so far off from each other.
It would provide a sense of linking in a multiverse that has constantly been criticized for having too many characters that seem almost forgettable. While having this sort of plan for the franchise would be ideal, there is one element that would anger fans quite a lot.
The idea of splitting that last film in the Multiverse Saga seems synonymous with franchises like Harry Potter and Twilight splitting their last books into two films to get as much profit as possible. Fans are never too happy with the idea of a successful franchise focusing more on making money rather than telling stories.
Hating when their favorite characters are treated more like products than people with stories and character archs. Splitting a film for the sake of a cliffhanger to make as much money as possible will always be criticized by fans and Marvel is not exempted from this.
