The Avengers 2: What We Know So Far

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the most ambitious film franchises put together by a studio, but perhaps the best thing about it is how every move made within it is endlessly fascinating to fans. If Falcon, the character set to be played by Anthony Mackie in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, got his powers from the Cosmic Cube, how will that affect Thor’s world, as the object was last seen at the end of The Avengers being taken away to Asgard by the God of Thunder and Loki? Because of the intricate details of the comic book world anything is possible, and it’s great fun to speculate about the implications of every twist, turn and maneuver as they lead to the second big landmark film: The Avengers 2. The journey to the next the next superhero team-up film has already begun with the release of Shane Black’s Iron Man 3, but there’s still plenty more in store for 2013. Not only is Alan Taylor’s Thor: The Dark World due out in November, production has already begun on Joe and Anthony Russo’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier and will soon start on James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. This year will have a huge impact on the future of the MCU, but what do we know so far? How is each character involved in the development of Marvel’s larger plans? Read on below as I break it all down!

Iron Man

The most lasting effect that Iron Man 3 has on both The Avengers 2 and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole is that we’re not quite sure what the future holds for Tony Stark and his armor. At the end of Shane Black’s film, the character has the shrapnel and arc reactor removed from his chest, blows up all of his suits, and seemingly leaves behind the ruins of his Malibu home. The final title card of the movie reads “Tony Stark Will Return,” but does that mean that the man will and the machine won’t? One thing that we now do know: Robert Downey Jr. will be returning. The actor has signed a deal with the studio for both The Avengers 2 and The Avengers 3, so we’ll still have many more years to enjoy the star’s brand of wit.

Thor: The Dark World will be in theaters on November 8th of this year but at this time it’s unclear where the movie will wind up on the road to The Avengers 2. The most recent development regarding the God of Thunder (other than this awesome teaser trailer) is actually an update about his villainous brother, Loki. Joss Whedon has officially gone on record to say that Loki will not be back for The Avengers 2. That said, given Thor’s more cosmic storyline it is possible that the purple-pussed villain Thanos – first seen during the end credits of Avengers – could make an appearance in the next adventure, but we won’t know until much later this year.