Comic books are a constantly changing medium. Characters are reinvented with each generation. Heroes die. Others are reborn. Some heroes team-up and others spin-off into their own series. Well it seems that Marvel Studios is bringing that same dynamic to their big screen interpretations.
In a recent interview, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige, addressed rumors that The Avengers lineup that we know from the first film, featuring Iron Man, Captain America Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, would be significantly altered due to the events of Age of Ultron.
The events of Age of Ultron will leave the team scattered and broken. Opening the door, much like in the comics, for the complexion of the team to change with new members added, while others will be lost. This is what Feige had to say to Buzzfeed (via Screenrant):
“The Avengers films, ideally, in the grand plan are always big, giant linchpins… It’s like as it was in publishing, when each of the characters would go on their own adventures and then occasionally team up for a big, 12-issue mega-event. Then they would go back into their own comics, and be changed from whatever that event was. I envision the same thing occurring after this movie, because the [Avengers] roster is altered by the finale of this film.”
This confirmation by Feige is important on many levels. It seems to confirm the report from Badass Digest that Captain America will form a new team of Avengers by the end of Age of Ultron. Marvel is seeming to steer clear of formulaic origin story films during the forseeable future. Now they will be looking to slowly integrate characters within the fabric of the stories that they are telling. So that they can be fully formed characters when their solo movies begin. A good example of this is how Stephen Strange was mentioned in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, months before Benedict Cumberbatch was cast.
The rumors are that there will not only be introductions of new characters, but new alliances and factions will form during the Age of Ultron. Devin Faraci reports (Potential huge spoilers):
Marvel is looking at Cap 3 as Avengers 2.5. It’s going to be another ensemble picture, and it could feature Cap’s new team from the end of Age of Ultron. Last I heard (and they haven’t shot this scene yet, so it could change) that team is Falcon, War Machine, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Black Widow, as well as probably The Vision (although I have been told Black Widow will not be much of a presence in Cap 3). And once again the events of a Captain America movie will reshape the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Fans of Marvel Comics know that there have been several titles that spawned from the standard Avengers line. There are such comics as West Coast Avengers, New Avengers and Secret Avengers among other teams.
Many of these involve Captain America starting a separate branch or a team more geared towards espionage to win their battles. In any case, that is certainly a team worthy of rallying behind. Looking ahead to Avengers 3, where many of the classic Avengers may not even make an appearance, if you add Black Panther and an established Dr. Strange to that lineup and you have another event film.
What do you think of the rumored shakeup to the Avengers lineup. Let us know on the comment boards, and !
Source: Screenrant, Badass Digest, Buzzfeed