It can’t be stressed enough how next month’s Marvel Cinematic Universe film “Avengers: Endgame†can be considered a storyline ending. It’ll wrap up most ongoing plot threads and myth arcs from this and the previous 21 films of the franchise. Ever since Thanos appeared in the last MCU Phase 1 installment, “Avengers,†this was expected.
In the latest issue of Empire Magazine devoted to “Endgame†and the conclusion of this initial MCU narrative, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige revealed he has an overarching name to give the 22 MCU films from 2008’s “Iron Man†to “Avengers: Endgame†this coming April.
He’s denoting MCU Phases 1 to 3 as the “Infinity Saga†of the franchise, which isn’t much of a surprise. While not all the films in the era involved the cosmic-bending Infinity Stones sought by Josh Brolin’s Thanos, they were the driving force in many of the previous movies’ plots (in different, alternate forms even).
Feige notes that calling the first 22 MCU films as the Infinity Saga collectively also helps in establishing finite durations for the franchise’s arcs. “Harry Potter had an ending because there were only so many books,†he explains. “Lord of the Rings, too. But we thought, 22 movies in, wouldn’t it be fun to bring some finality to the storyline?”
Real-life considerations might also factor into the saga branding. Many of the top stars for the Phase 1-3 MCU films will be bowing out after “Endgame,†necessitating perhaps new characters to become the faces of the franchise, like Brie Larson’s “Captain Marvel.†She could perhaps front the MCU following the departure of the likes of Robert “Tony Stark†Downey Jr. and Chris “Steve Rogers†Evans.
Whatever the case, “Avengers: Endgame†is premiering on April 16. Don’t miss it to catch one ending of the MCU’s Infinity Saga. Worry not, the franchise will continue with new adventures when Phase 4 begins.