Avengers 4 will be a ‘finale’ for many veteran characters

Avengers 4 is going to mark the end of an era in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Studios has big plans following Phase Three of the MCU. We recently learned that the studio is already planning 20 films after Avengers 4. This will likely include the newer MCU heroes along with a host of other new characters. However, what does this mean for longtime characters like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers? Well, Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige has the answer.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Feige explained that Avengers 4 will close the door on this era of the MCU:

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"“[Avengers 4 will] bring things you’ve never seen in superhero films: a finale.”"

The filmmaker also stated that the current status quo in the massive cinematic franchise will be quite different after that film. He even added that things will be shaken up in unexpected ways:

"“There will be two distinct periods. Everything before Avengers 4 and everything after. I know it will not be in ways people are expecting.”"

As many have assumed, this will likely mean that we’ll bid farewell to longtime characters in the MCU, as the old guard will phase out. In the piece, Scarlett Johansson expressed mixed feelings about the new crop of heroes:

"“I feel a lot of joy for the next generation. It’s a bittersweet feeling, but a positive one.”"

It’s been fun to watch these characters for so long, but we all knew that things would come to an end at some point. Most of the original actors signed contracts that are due to expire after the fourth Avengers film.

It is possible that some could agree to stay on. Marvel veterans like Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth have expressed interest in doing so. But, as nice as it would be to see them stay in the Marvel Universe, it’s probably best that they bow out gracefully. Like Johansson says, it’s a bittersweet feeling, but there’s definitely hope with this new generation.

Next: Russo Brothers drop big Infinity War tease

Avengers: Infinity War hits theaters on May 4, 2018, and will be followed by the Untitled Avengers Sequel on May 3, 2019.