Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) don Kevin Feige has detailed his massive plans for his madly successful superhero stable, telling Vanity Fair that there are at least 20 more films coming after 2019’s untitled fourth Avengers movie.
That’s pretty chill news for fans, but it’s not exactly instant-gratification stuff: diehards will still have to, you know, wait for those films to roll around to see what happens to their favourite characters.
Fortunately, the interview came enclosed in four alternate covers, each featuring a smattering of heroes featured in Avengers: Infinity War. It’s the first time punters have seen some of these characters together, and they present a fantastic opportunity to speculate on the future of the MCU.
That’s an opportunity we’re gonna take. Behold, our definitive assessment of who’d win an all-out brawl between these four crews:
TEAM ONE
Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)
Sure, the first assembly features some of the most proven veterans of the MCU – including the hero which kicked off the whole deal back in 2008 – but you can just tell Iron Man is just about ready to die for plot purposes. Thor knows it. Falcon knows it. Black Widow is too focused on katana-ing up everything in her sight to know it, but she will soon. Despite having a literal god on the team, this crew seems lacking – unless Taika Waititi steps in to reinvigorate their whole schtick. Odds of victory: 8 to 1.
TEAM TWO
Vision (Paul Bettany), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), War Machine (Don Cheadle), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)
Like Iron Man, War Machine has seen some shit. Hell, he was paralyzed during a battle, and has definitely earned the right to sit this one out. Hypothetically, Vision controlling his suit and flying it around like some explosive rag-doll would allow James “Rhodey” Rhodes some R&R, while the endlessly competent Captain America and the as-yet-unseen Wasp could do some distracting manoeuvres. Yes, it’s a long bow to draw, but that’s why they have Hawkeye. Odds of victory: 12 to 1.
TEAM 3
Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)
This is an odd bunch, but it’s also mad powerful. Have you even seen the trailer for Black Panther? Old mate is right up there with Black Widow and Spider-Man as one of the most gifted hand-to-hand fighters of the whole gang, and the fact he’s the ruler of a hyper-advanced and equally secluded monarchy doesn’t hurt, either. Chuck in the MCU’s two best size-shifters and a magical entity, and you’ve got a decent squad. Oh, we’re gonna say Paul Rudd’s Anchorman melee experience would help out here, too. Odds of victory: 9 to 1.
TEAM FOUR
Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Star-Lord (Chris Pratt)
Oh, come on.
Doctor Strange could banish each and every single character to a different realm without even trying. Then, there’s the fact Star-Lord also exhibited planet-altering power in Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, meaning Spidey and Potts could just chill out all afternoon while the other two utterly wreck your faves. GG, no re. Odds of victory: 3 to 1.
Feel free to gaze at the covers and muse who’d win, but just know that if you disagree with our rankings, you are objectively wrong. Expect to see Strange crush it all when Avengers: Infinity War debut on April 25, 2018.
