The Avengers: Infinity War — Part One and Two , although later announced as two separate films , are going to have a cast of phenomenal characters. Fans had been speculating ever since the Russo brothers mentioned 60-plus characters for the films, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recently spoke with IGN about building up to this major project . The latter Avengers movie remains “untitled” for now.
There are five films slated between now and the studio’s upcoming flicks, namely Doctor Strange , Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 , Spider-Man: Homecoming , Thor: Ragnarok , and Black Panther . People are even asking Feige now about his next five-year plan.
Building The MCU With Its Cast Of Characters
According to Feige, he feels that they are over the hump of introducing the cast of characters into the MCU since Iron Man debuted in 2008. The Marvel Studios president took a look back at the challenges of introducing these characters on the big screen for the first time in order to make them look believable.
Feige touted how Tony Stark and Stark Industries had become the “defining moment” in the Cinematic Universe. He talked about the challenges of bringing Steve Rogers on board via World War II and bringing forth a Norse god via an extraterrestrial planet in a way that would make sense to audiences.
Kevin Feige spoke about the build up to @Avengers : #InfinityWar . Read more here: https://t.co/tO1VC4173k pic.twitter.com/kmdN2LKtmx
— IGN (@IGN) October 14, 2016
“When Tony Stark and Stark Industries and the world of that first movie was the definition of the Cinematic Universe, the question was how do you bring a soldier from World War 2 into that in a way that makes sense, how do you bring a Norse god from a whole other planet into that in a way that makes sense, how do you introduce flying aircraft carriers into that? That was the challenge.”
How do you think they’ll all come together in Avengers: Infinity War ?
Doctor Strange’s Place In The MCU
Avengers: Infinity War will bring forth cast member Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme, and according to Kevin Feige, even this superhero has his own learning curve, just like other characters. Feige didn’t want to give anything away, but he mentioned how Strange takes on the challenges presented by his foes, and even towards the end of the movie, he’s not really an expert at his craft.
“He’s not all powerful. Without giving too much away, he’s not an expert when he faces off against the things he has to face off with in this movie, even toward the end of the movie. So there’s a learning curve for him, which is always fun for all of the heroes — and they face a pretty tough dude in the next Avengers movie.”
Marvel Producer @Kevfeige Offers Updates on #DoctorStrange & Avengers #InfinityWar https://t.co/deGgKbBwNg pic.twitter.com/erNjnc7s7Q
— Multiverse Of Color (@MultiverseColor) October 17, 2016
This makes sense, especially since Doctor Strange was confirmed last month to be in Avengers: Infinity War (Part One). Benedict mentions that bringing together the cast of characters would be quite an interesting feat , according to the Express .
“To get us all together will be quite something. That’s why this character is being introduced, to open up the next chapter. So watch this space to see how that unfolds.”
As the Avengers: Infinity War characters come together, there is also the challenge of balancing the strengths and weaknesses against each other, according to IGN , much like the Russo brothers did in Captain America: Civil War .
Kevin also talked about setting up Doctor Strange for the MCU via the solo movie and the mission to have these cast of characters properly ensconced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Strange’s place in that universe, which Wong defined, is ‘ Avengers do this, we do this.’”
Defenders To Join The MCU?
Feige talked about Avengers: Infinity War and the “untitled” Avengers 4 flick in regards to the fun in everybody being there.
“The fun about those two movies that we’re doing essentially at the same time is everybody’s there.”
When asked if “everybody” included the Defenders, Feige responded, “Spoilers!”
Keep in mind, Doctor Strange was a founding member of The Defenders from the 70s comic publication, but they will not appear in the Avengers movies. Also, Rosario Dawson’s character, Claire Temple, from the Netflix series was intended to be Night Nurse, but showrunner Steven S. DeKnight said they had other plans for the heroic nurse “down the road.” Rachel McAdams is playing Christine Palmer in the Doctor Strange movie, but it’s still unknown if she’ll be the Night Nurse in the MCU, according to Nerdist .
The Russo brothers didn’t rule out the idea of the Defenders showing up, as they said , “We do consider everyone.”
Avengers: Infinity War (Part One) debuts May 4, 2018, while the Untitled Avengers Movie (Part Two) debuts May 3, 2019.
[Featured Image by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]