With all this talk about who fans are hoping to see survive the upcoming Avengers: Endgame and make future appearances in Phase 4, many don’t seem to be wanting to focus on the inevitable that some fan-favorite heroes may not survive the final confrontation with the Mad Titan, Thanos.
In contrast to our list of characters we believe will survive the events of Avengers: Endgame, now proceeds a list of characters who may not be so lucky.
Just to make it clear, we do not know any of these characters fates for definite and this list is purely guessing work.
Captain America
“The Death of Captain America” is a very famous storyline from the comics which follows and ends the first Marvel‘s Civil War, as with a lot of comic-book characters Cap was brought back down the line and the mantle of Captain America never went away being passed on to Falcon, but the impact of Steve Rogers’ death was definitely felt.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe found a way around this key story point at the end of 2016’s Captain America: Civil War as rather than Steve Rogers dying, he simply dropped the mantle of Captain America and went on the run, despite every promotional material still calling him Captain America post-Civil War.
However, with stakes at their highest and Chris Evans already making a presumed farewell speech to fans ahead of Avengers: Endgame, it is looking likely as if Steve Rogers will either die or retire and only make minor appearances going forward.
Iron Man
The most likely two deaths in Avengers: Endgame are Steve Rogers and/or Tony Stark. While Robert Downy Jr. has been the supposed “frontman” of the MCU since kicking off the universe with his first solo movie in 2008, it does make sense for the billionaire tech genius to take a step back in either a permanent or semi-permanent way after the events of Endgame.
With all of Iron Man’s supporting players making a comeback in Avengers: Endgame, including Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), and Iron Man 3’s Harley Keener (Ty Simpkins), it stands to reason that their appearances are to help say goodbye to the hero they support.
Hulk
Dr. Bruce Banner has not had a solo movie since 2009’s The Incredible Hulk and current actor Mark Ruffalo has never had the chance to portray his Jekyll/Hyde character in a solo movie himself having taken the reigns of the characters from Edward Norton in 2012’s The Avengers.
Despite making a well-received appearance in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, both Bruce Banner’s and the Hulk’s development were stunted during Avengers: Infinity War as after an early one-on-one confrontation with Thanos, the Hulk refused to make an appearance for the rest of the movie.
With a new variation of the character set to make appear in Avengers: Endgame, it is unknown if this is a last hurrah for the gamma radiated genius or if this is the beginnings of a new story for both Bruce Banner and the Hulk in Phase 4.
Also read: Russo Bros. To Develop ‘Stan Lee’ Documentary
Despite Disney not being allowed to make another solo Hulk movie due to the character’s distribution rights being held by Universal Studios, it has been reported that a potential Hulk/She-Hulk series will potentially be on the upcoming Disney+.
Thor
Thor Odinson has had a very rocky ride in terms of movie portrayals, while Chris Hemsworth gives a well-received portrayal of the character, prior to Thor: Ragnarok he was always portrayed better in Avengers movies as opposed to his own movies. The third and supposed final movie installment was acclaimed by critics and fans as the character’s best and his following role in Avengers: Infinity War reflected that.
The only issue with this now is there has never been a character to receive more than a trilogy in terms of solo movies, despite Tessa Thompson recently suggesting that a Thor 4 is being worked on with Taika Watiti set to return as director.
War Machine
Don Cheadle had the thankless task of taking over from Terrance Howard after the first Iron Man movie. However, his role as Tony Stark’s sidekick has been as well received as Anthony Mackie’s Falcon.
His most recent story moments have been surviving a blast from Vision during the airport battle in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War causing him to become paralyzed and use a walking apparatus. Then, in Avengers: Infinity War, his suit was nearly crushed by Thanos and tossed aside yet the character remains alive.
Unless there is set to be a plot twist that War Machine is secretly immortal, even superhero logic cannot account for the amount of lives Rhodey has had.
Ant-Man
Despite Scott Lang being one of the new wave of Marvel heroes reported to take over from the original six in the new Phase 4, the probable introduction of his daughter’s superhero alter-ego Stature sets the stage for her comic-book origins to be told as her becoming a superhero to honor her father’s memory.
Now granted, Ant-Man’s death in the comics was at the hands of Scarlet Witch but with the way the movies have played out, dying at the hands of Thanos could have the same impact on young Cassie Lang.
Nebula
Unfortunately, this may be a possibility as Nebula’s story since her introduction in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy has been her disdain for adoptive father Thanos and her planned vengeance to be his destruction.
The culmination of this conflict may result in Thanos being murdered at the hands of his adoptive daughter, with the added vengeful fuel of avenging her sister Gamora, but it could also result in Thanos murdering Nebula as he already sacrificed his “favorite child” to get what he wanted, so it could stand to reason the daughter he ripped body parts out and replaced cybernetically wouldn’t even phase him.
Of course, these are only assumptions based on what Disney has plans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Phase 4, however none of them are beyond the realms of possibility.
Who do you think will die in Avengers: Endgame?
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Endgame reportedly stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Frank Grillo, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt, Jeremy Renner, Evangeline Lilly, Jon Favreau, Paul Rudd, and Brie Larson. Check out the synopsis below:
“A culmination of 22 interconnected films the fourth installment of the Avengers saga will draw audiences to witness the turning point of this epic journey. Our beloved heroes will truly understand how fragile this reality is and the sacrifices that must be made to uphold it.”
Avengers: Infinity War is now on Digital and Blu-ray, while Avengers: Endgame hits theaters on April 26th, 2019.
