Avengers: Infinity War can revive these 6 characters

ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 15: (L-R) Actors Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Benedict Cumberbatch, Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth, and Robert Downey Jr., producer Kevin Feige, and actors Mark Ruffalo, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Don Cheadle of AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR took part today in the Walt Disney Studios live action presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2017 in Anaheim, Calif. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR will be released in U.S. theaters on May 4, 2018. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)

Will Avengers: Infinity War bring anyone back from the dead?

It can diminish stories when death is reversible, but should Avengers: Infinity War resurrect characters anyway?

With a lot of caveats, the answer is “yes.” We’ve seen how some characters’ resurrections or fake deaths have opened up great possibilities for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Two standout examples are Agent Phil Coulson and Bucky Barnes, whose returns have been essential to Agents of SHIELD and the last two Captain America movies respectively.

There should also be zero question that Infinity War/Avengers 4 will make resurrections plausible and even expected. As the film’s trailers and its source material, Infinity Gauntlet, make clear, collecting all the Infinity Stones will give the Infinity Gauntlet’s wielder absolute control over reality. Gluing a dead character’s molecules back together is kid’s stuff at that point.

So who to resurrect? I have six nominees, based on the following factors:

First, this list is based on the assumption that the Infinity Gauntlet will change hands; based on who’s wielding it, certain resurrections become more or less likely.

In Infinity Gauntlet, the gauntlet changed hands from Thanos to Nebula and then Adam Warlock, the last of whom isn’t in Infinity War. It’s reasonable to expect the gauntlet will have at least two wielders, as someone will have to use it to undo the universal damage Thanos is expected to inflict.

Second, I considered how a character’s resurrection could make Infinity War more exciting. Certain characters returning would make Thanos’ victory seem even more certain or provide the reversal of fortunes our heroes will desperately need.

Third, I considered the character’s potential impact on the future of the MCU, which we know is going to be vastly different after Infinity War and Avengers 4.

Fourth, I considered good ol’ fashioned fan service; who would people love to see come back? Sometimes it’s okay to give people what they want.

With that said, enough preamble. Let’s get to the good stuff.