We play ‘Survivor’ with the Avengers
Who’s likely to live – and who’s not – heading in to Marvel’s “Endgame”
Friends, we are gathered here today to honor those Marvel superheroes we lost. Or, more aptly, worry about the ones probably about to exit.
In last year’s mega-epic “Avengers: Infinity War,” cosmic villain Thanos wiped out half of galactic existence with one apocalyptic snap of his Infinity Gauntlet, powered by six all-powerful Infinity Stones. And going halfsies on a universal scale meant a bunch of our favorite do-gooders went bye-bye, disintegrating into ash and leaving fans in a nervous state … at least until we see the culmination of the 22-film Marvel movie saga so far with “Avengers: Endgame” (in theaters April 26).
OG Avengers including Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) lead the charge to figure out how to save the day in desperate circumstances, though the limited footage glimpsed in trailers hasn’t shown us much of anything in terms of how they’ll fix the situation. (Time travel? Another set of Infinity Stones? Who knows!)
What’s most intriguing for fans is not who’s dead now but who will be at the end of “Endgame,” especially if there’s another all-out climactic fight with Thanos. Evans, Downey and Hemsworth have talked about this being their swan song after years of Marvel movies, and dead heroes with sequels in the works – Spider-Man (Tom Holland) has one coming out this summer! – may not stay that way.
So who’s making it out alive for the next phase of superhero flicks? Here’s a status report on all the major heroes heading into the new “Avengers,” ranked by their chances of survival – from most likely to perish to totally going to live:
31. Hawkeye
Current state: Alive but in a dark place.
AWOL through “Infinity War,” Jeremy Renner’s archer showed up in the first “Endgame” trailer with a different haircut and a grim persona. We’re not sure what’s happened, but likely this mood has to do with watching some or all of his family get wiped out. What bigger sacrifice could there be for the Avengers’ unsung hero than laying down his life to bring his loved ones back? (Also, the trailer has him training what looks like his daughter, perhaps a setup to her taking her dad’s moniker in future Marvel films.)
30. Thor
Current state: Alive.
The Asgardian thunder god has had a good run – including three solo films – but botched his chance at taking out Thanos before he could do his nefarious deed. With half-brother Loki dead by Thanos’ hand, Thor has nothing to lose this time around and may give his life for another chance to make things right.
29. Captain America
Current state: Alive.
Chris Evans has been the most vocal about his goodbyes; that could be a total swerve, but leaving everything on the battlefield has been pretty much his entire character arc. And it would be the biggest emotional gut punch for fans.
28. Iron Man
Current state: Alive but stuck in space.
Arguably the most A-list of all the Marvel dudes, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark is more likely than Cap to stick around: He has been a mentor to SpiderMan and maybe he plays the Nick Fury get-the-band-together role in upcoming movies. But consider how much he’s changed since being the endlessly cocky arms dealer from the first “Iron Man,” and him sacrificing everything to ensure a future makes a lot of sense.
27. Winter Soldier
Current state: Disintegrated. Played by Sebastian Stan, Bucky Barnes took over Cap’s shield from Steve Rogers in the comics – a possibility for the movies, too. And there has been talk of a show on the Disney+ streaming service with him and Anthony Mackie’s Falcon. Still, he did spend decades as a notorious Hydra assassin, so if he does come back to life, Bucky going down swinging with his best friend Cap would be a huge moment AND right his karma.
26. War Machine
Current state: Alive.
James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) is already crippled, so one would hope another tragedy wouldn’t befall him. Yet of the surviving Avengers with no upcoming solo movies, he’s probably a good bet to be part of the death toll if Hawkeye doesn’t perish.
25. Nebula
Current state: Alive but stuck in space.
Karen Gillan’s former space villainess – and one of Thanos’ daughters, along with Gamora – really, really wants to take out Dad. By any means necessary. Which could be bad for her health.
24. Mantis
Current state: Disintegrated. The enigma played by Pom Klementieff was added to the Guardians of the Galaxy in their second film. But the saying goes, last one in, first one out, which doesn’t bode well for her.
23. Black Widow
Current state: Alive.
What happens to Scarlett Johansson’s secret agent is, kind of like the character, a very large question mark. She has a solo film coming in the next round of Marvel movies but as a prequel, it’s set to take place before the first “Avengers.”
22. Maria Hill
Current state: Disintegrated. The longtime S.H.I.E.L.D. mainstay played by Cobie Smulders will appear in “Spider-Man: Far From Home” (out July 5). What we don’t know yet is whether it takes place pre- or post-snap. Her fate is pretty much 50/50 at this point.
20 (tied). Vision and Scarlet Witch
Current state: Dead and disintegrated, respectively.
The android Vision (Paul Bettany) was powered by an Infinity Stone that Thanos ripped out of his head. Things aren’t looking so good for his magical love interest (Elizabeth Olsen), either. The good news is the twosome are set to star in a Disney+ show, so they’ve got that going for them.
19. Nick Fury
Current state: Disintegrated. Like Maria Hill, Samuel L. Jackson’s well-known S.H.I.E.L.D. guy is in the new “Spider-Man,” so his fate is undetermined. He’s been as integral to the Marvel world as Iron Man and even though Jackson is 70, Nick’s connection with Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) makes one think he’ll always be orbiting this universe.
18. Gamora
Current state: Deadish. Thanos threw his assassin daughter (Zoe Saldana) off a cliff to kill her and obtain the Soul Stone, yet the end of “Infinity War” glimpsed Gamora as a child within the cosmic jewel. Her role probably is essential to “Endgame” and it’s hard to believe they’d off the “Guardians” female lead before a third film.
17. Drax the Destroyer
Current state: Disintegrated. Dave Bautista’s muscular space warrior is the low-key MVP of the “Guardians” franchise. And James Gunn returning to direct another movie is a good thing for Drax fans.
16. M’Baku
Current state: Alive.
The Wakandan tribe leader (Winston Duke) was a fan favorite in “Black Panther” and looks to be a big part of that series’ future. Plus, we’re hoping he arm-wrestles Drax one day.
15. Okoye
Current state: Alive.
Like M’Baku, Danai Gurira’s Dora Milaje general is a primetime player in Wakanda and with Marvel continuing to emphasize the female contingent, it’s unlikely to sideline one of the best.
14. Falcon
Current state: Disintegrated. There’s the aforementioned Disney+ show with Winter Soldier, of course. Of those two, though, Sam Wilson seems like the best man to be passed the Captain America shield and mantle if Steve Rogers steps down or (more likely) dies.
13. Star-Lord
Current state: Disintegrated.
Oh, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), your hotheadedness snatched defeat from the jaws of victory battling Thanos. No matter, we forgive you. Expect the “Guardians” main man to get another shot at heroism – and at life.
11 (tied). Ant-Man and the Wasp
Current state: Stuck in the Quantum Realm and disintegrated, respectively.
The “Endgame” trailer shows that Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) reconvenes with Cap and friends, and would probably like to have his more heroic girlfriend (Evangeline Lilly) back. Their fates are inextricably tied, they’re the supershrinking faces of the Bay Area corner of the Marvel universe, and their movies make money, so safe bet they’ll be back.
10. Wong
Current state: Alive. Benedict Wong’s magic man returns in “Endgame” after helping the heroes stave off Thanos’ minions in “Infinity War.” Losing him would also be a pretty boneheaded decision, considering the Marvel universe is already severely lacking in Asian superheroes.
9. Valkyrie
Current state: Alive.
Thor’s new warrior-woman buddy (Tessa Thompson) from “Thor: Ragnarok” was offscreen in “Infinity War” yet somehow survived Thanos’ razing of the Asgardian starship that felled poor Loki. Fans love Valkyrie – and apparently want her to date Captain Marvel – so she could go the distance.
7 (tied). Rocket and Groot
Current state: Alive and disintegrated, respectively.
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in “Infinity War” was fan favorite Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) watching in disbelief as his tree buddy (Vin Diesel) faded away into nothingness. You can’t have a “Guardians” movie without those two; plus, think of all the lost toy sales!
6. Hulk
Current state: Alive.
Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and his rage-monster alter ego are key personalities in the Marvel universe and even though there’s no Hulk solo film in sight, he’s a valuable dual threat that you can insert in and improve any Marvel project (see: “Thor: Ragnarok”).
5. Shuri
Current state: Disintegrated. Letitia Wright’s teenage “Black Panther” breakout being “dead” kind of freaked out social media on Tuesday when Marvel seemingly sealed her “Infinity War” fate with a black-andwhite character poster (an honor bestowed on all the known deceased heroes). But it’s hard to imagine her not being a part of the future Marvel world.
4. Doctor Strange
Current state: Disintegrated. Earth’s sorcerer supreme (Benedict Cumberbatch) is supposed to have a sequel sooner rather than later, so him telling Tony, “There was no other way,” after Thanos wins – and before he disappeared – was probably referring more to their eventual success down the line rather than the infinite doom of the moment.
3. Spider-Man
Current state: Disintegrated.
On the one hand, the “Infinity War” scene where Peter Parker (Tom Holland) dissolves in Tony Stark’s arms is so tragically beautiful. On the other hand, he’s the best movie Spidey ever. While we’ll know exactly where “Far From Home” falls in the overall timeline soon enough, this kid’s too good not to build future movies around.
2. Captain Marvel
Current state: Alive.
Right, like they’re going to kill off their newest and possibly most powerful superhero anytime soon.
1. Black Panther
Current state: Disintegrated. Wakanda forever, obviously. Even though things look sort of bleak going in, Chadwick Boseman’s African warrior king is the main character of the biggest movie of 2018 and a best-picture Oscar nominee. He’s the best-case scenario for survival, especially with a sequel coming.