WARNING: This article contains full spoilers for the final episode of What If…?
Avengers 5 is still quite some time away, but the recently released finale of the Disney Plus show What If…? proved that almost anything is possible. Following Avengers Endgame, a lot of debate has been had over how the Avengers’ dynamic will be now that their de-facto leaders, Iron Man and Captain America, are dead and gone (respectively). The aforementioned finale, titled What If… the Watcher Broke His Oath?, showed off just how Marvel fans could be reunited with their favourite characters sooner than they think.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) dutifully sacrificed himself by using the Infinity Stones against Thanos (Josh Brolin) in the final battle of Endgame.
Shortly thereafter, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) decided to travel back in time to be with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), where he grew old with her and hung up his shield in the process.
However, the latest episode of What If…? showed Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) jumping from one timeline to another where she could continue being an Avenger.
The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) pointed out that Natasha could jump from her timeline, where the Avengers were dead, to another timeline where their version of Black Widow had been killed in battle.
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Considering The Watcher allowed Black Widow to jump from one timeline to another, this could also happen for the Avengers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
So far, Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) were killed off during the events of Avengers Infinity War and Endgame.
Could this new development in the rules of the MCU allow each of these characters to make a triumphant return?
What’s more, the final episode of Loki showed the multiverse collapsing, releasing Kang the Conquerer (Jonathan Majors).
With countless versions of Kang and other foes fighting through the MCU, the Avengers are going to need all the help they can get.
Plans to bring back some late heroes may have already been penned.
For example, Johansson recently provided a statement following her lawsuit against Disney. She said she looked forward to continuing her collaboration with the House of Mouse “in years to come”.
Disney agreed it looks forward to “working together on a number of upcoming projects” with Johansson.
Could this mean the American star will be making a return as a different Natasha in the near future?
Further reports also suggested Captain America star Evans would be making a return to the MCU. (Via Deadline)
It claimed the star would be making a return in an undisclosed role, meaning he could play an entirely different version of Steve Rogers.
The return of some fallen heroes might also usher in the arrival of the previous Spider-Man actors.
Rumours have suggested Tom Holland’s new movie No Way home will introduce the likes of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield into the fold.
If the former actors were introduced once again, it would kickstart a live-action Spider-Verse.
Considering the first trailer for the film introduced the deceased Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), it more than likely the other Spider-Men will be making a return.
But does this mean they will be back for good?
The Avengers and Marvel movies are available on Disney Plus now.
What If…? is available on Disney Plus.