RW: Four Theories for Avengers 4

I'm excited to introduce a new series on Rath's Reviews that I've been mulling over for the past year or so: Rath Write-Ups.

I've always wanted to do some non-review writings on this site because it opens up a plethora of other styles/formats that I can try out. The possibilities are virtually endless and, if we're being honest, the review-only format was starting to wear on me a tad. As life's responsibilities and, more importantly, fulfillment, is driven more and more outside of the theater, I wanted to have another avenue where I can write about the things I love even if I may not be able to go to every movie I want or need to. 

Once Avengers: Infinity War hit theaters and rocked the majority of movie-goers emotional states, I immediately started to theorize about what would happen next in the yet-to-be-titled, Avengers 4. After sitting on it for a while, I figured "What the hell?! Where's a better place to start this avenue than with something this big?" If you haven't caught on already, suffice it to say that there are:

TONS OF INFINITY WAR SPOILERS BELOW. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

If there's one thing about Infinity War that's surprised me more than the ending itself, it has been the amount of time post-viewing that I've put into thinking about it. Worrying about what will happen next. And also worrying about how the follow-up will either ruin Infinity War or make this two-part film group one of the most epic ever put to film. The Russo Brothers, who are seriously incredibly talented, have backed themselves against a wall. Personally, I think they can responsibly handle the fallout of their good intentions to shock and wreck us, but a tremendous amount of Marvel's good will is at stake with what Avengers 4 delivers. And I think they know that to a certain extent.

Below are several theories that I've been leaning toward. They're "uneducated" in the sense that I haven't read the actual comic, nor have I done much research to see what happens in it. I'd rather enjoy the resolution when it comes out in comparison to my own theories. I claim these as my "own" or extensions of what my friend group has discussed, though I'm sure similar theories are out there. But enough chatting. Let's theorize shall we? 

*snaps finger*...*waits for cataclysmic event*...*it doesn't come* 

Ok well screw it. Here's the first theory.

1 | The Parallel Universe Theory
This one was an initial thought my girlfriend and I had and my immediate interest in it comes from the finale of The Leftovers. In that show, a small percentage of the population suddenly disappeared one day and in the finale it's suggested that there were parallel universes created at that moment. Explaining further that means that the other universe saw an inverse proportion of their population disappear and neither side knew what happened to the other. 

There is a decent inconsistency with this one for Infinity War however as the reactions of those who "died" (are you still crying from Peter Parker?) doesn't warrant an "unknown" departure from their earth, but some type of variation to this could be interesting. Avengers 4 would then essentially be split into the Old Guard and the New with each side likely trying to set things straight to join the worlds back together. Even more thought provoking is what this "parallel universe" theory could open up in terms of possibilities for the years of Marvel to come. DC has tons of historic experience here -- now if they'd quite whiffing *most* of their movies -- and it could be fun to see Marvel dabble here too. 

"Thanos smash worlds together! Join universes!"

But this theory also suggests that no one actually "died" and, unless the body count in Avengers 4 is impactful, it'll continue to be a point of weakness in the Marvel machine. Most everyone knows that characters like T'Challa and Peter Parker definitely aren't dead, but this theory certifies that and that removes some of the weight from Avengers 4...that is...unless they can never join the worlds back up again? 

Likelihood & Final Thoughts: This one is a long shot because it doesn't feel like the way the whole premise was set up. It's an interesting theory to think about the impacts it could have, but it would also deliver a significant blow to the emotional climax that threw audiences for a loop; almost completely negating it to a certain extent.

Tricky, tricky little stone...

2 | The Time Trickery Theory
I don't know 100% where I'm going with this one, so bear with me, but it all hinges on how big of a role that Doctor Strange played in the final moments of Infinity War. He saw the solution to beating Thanos, and something that often goes unnoticed about this scene is that he doesn't look happy after he sees it. He looks sick to his stomach. Then there's the whole fact that he gave Thanos the Time Stone, essentially being the key tool to collect the final Stone from Vision. Or did he? 

This would be a very Chris Nolan-esque move, but imagine that we get to Avengers 4 and learn that when Doctor Strange agreed "No tricks" when he was begging to spare Tony's life, that was, in fact, the start of some elaborate time manipulation? Sure it would negate the impact of Infinity War completely, but seeing it all play out would be mind-blowing in its own right. 

Out there are some set photos from Avengers 4 (which I wish I hadn't seen so I could go in completely clean) but they show Iron Man and Captain America with Ant-Man in what appears to be New York city circa the original Avengers based on the costumes that they're wearing. Could it be that Strange rolled time back too far? Or could it be that Thanos is now making his way through time to prevent the Avengers from intervening at all? 

Likelihood & Final Thoughts: The time travel element is likely in some way, shape, or form, though I honestly think the whole "Christopher Nolan" time trick by Dr. Strange is far fetched. The more I think about it, I wonder what the final objective would be; where would the stopping point of the time delusion be? And then what? Even still though...the more I contemplate Strange's last interactions, something seems fishy.

3 | The "Soul for a Soul" Theory
This is perhaps my personal favorite theory, though I also admit it's one of the darkest. Something we tend to forget about with the Finger Snap to end all finger snaps is that half of the world (and universe) disappeared with it. No matter how Avengers 4 shakes out, there has GOT to be some fallout from 50% of the population disappearing. Hell, even in the post-credit scene we saw enough chaos to justify suggesting that actual deaths around the world were likely in the millions. Assuming the Time Trickery theory doesn't reverse everything, the next question to be begged is: what if the impact to us normal folks wasn't reversed? What if the Marvel Universe moving forward existed in a world devastated by the sudden loss of billions and the connected deaths of millions more? That's huge. 

Something Red Skull said in his surprise cameo stuck with me when he was speaking of how to retrieve the Soul Stone. "A soul for a soul." He meant a soul (Gamora's) must be sacrificed in order to appeal to the soul (Stone). Let's go with the popular theory that everyone who was "ashed" away is in the Soul Realm, or something of the sorts. What if, in order to save those heroes stuck in the Soul Realm, a soul must be traded in their place? My defense of this theory is that previous films, and Infinity War itself, have done a lot of work to build certain relationships. Relationships that now span across who's "dead" and who's not. So what if Tony must sacrifice himself as Peter's pseudo-father to save him? Tony's lived a good life. Time to give the kid a chance (seems like something he would reason). Steve Rogers would do anything to save Bucky, right? Like trade souls for him? Thor realized he has nothing left but saw Rocket lose his best friend in Groot. Perhaps he offers his soul to reunite them. Okoye is bound by duty to her King and Wakanda. So would she not offer her soul in order to see the Black Panther return?

"A soul for a soul"
- Agent Smith, 2018

I obviously don't have every soul-trade worked out, but this would mean that, to a certain extent, those who died in Infinity War actually paid some sort of toll that must be equaled in order to return. The Russo's have commented that the price to right the wrongs of Infinity War would be "high", further adding to my belief that decisions of who lives and dies will be left to our characters, not the random chance of the finger snap. Circling back to my main point means that half the universe (and Earth) would actually be gone then, meaning the weight of Infinity War would be incredibly significant in the future of the MCU. 

Likelihood & Final Thoughts: I'm strangely sold on this theory of mine. It checks a lot of the boxes that would retroactively make Infinity War all the more unbelievable and devastating all while giving the floor to some emotional trade-offs of the OG Avengers to make way for the new ones. Out of my three theories thus far, I think this one holds the most weight and is the outcome that "changes the game" the way Marvel and Co. are likely trying to do.

4 | The Russo Brothers Roundhouse Theory
Earlier I spoke to how much weight was now on Avengers 4 to deliver. The world just got their collective mind blown with Infinity War's outcome but simply reversing all of that film's impact in the first 30 minutes of the successor would do an incredible amount of damage to Marvel's brand, at least in the eyes of people who may be invested as much as I am; those of us who've been around for all 19 films and have grown to know and love these characters. Death hangs heavy and if Marvel further perpetuates the perception (that's mostly accurate) that they don't have the balls to kill people off, they can count of never being able to market a big event film with terms like "final", "last stand", or "end" again. 

I think the Russo Brothers know this. And, if we're being completely honest, I think they're way too smart to fall into this trap. Nor do I think the Marvel/Disney machine is dumb enough to not let them do what they want. Their previous films are now Winter Soldier, Civil War, and Infinity War -- 3 of the outright best and most impactful films we've gotten so far in this Universe. It's obvious that Marvel will continue after "The End" but I get the sense they want "The End" to mean something. They want to earn another 20 years of audiences going to the films, remembering that the next leg all started with Thanos and Infinity War's fallout. They have the long game in mind. 

Those devilishly handsome bastards...

So the theory, and I realize that this is a cop out of sorts, is that the Russo Brothers have something unexpected up their sleeves that all the blogging or theorizing in the world won't guess 100%. Between my friends and I we probably had at least 10 really solid theories for Infinity War. They were all wrong. By a mile. But isn't that the best? When you think something is guaranteed and all the sudden you're sitting there, goosebumps on your arm, quietly whispering "No...no, no, no.", confused and angry and somber about what you're seeing? I may never forget the eerie silence that permeated across my theater during the final moments of Infinity War. My guess is that at some point during Avengers 4 the Russos will roundhouse kick us like that again. Better buckle up. 

Likelihood & Final Thoughts: The most likely theory of all. Marvel, Kevin Feige, and the Russo Brothers know exactly what they're doing and the stakes are too big for them to whiff it now. Marvel has always followed the mantra, "Begin with the end in mind" and it'll pay off come April 2019. Likely in a way we can't predict.


What are some of your theories? Any of mine stick out to you? Think I'm a crazy Marvel-crazed man child? (Shame on you for judging! But you're right) Either way, leave your comments below! Thanks for indulging me on this new adventure of Rath's Reviews. I'm eager to put more articles under the "Write-Up" banner so keep your eyes peeled!