You’ve been warned.

Turn back now.

If you don’t want to know the end of Avengers: Endgame, or want to keep the story spoiler-free, then don’t read this post!  Big picture coming up so you can change your mind.

Asgardians of the Galaxy!

Pretty much that said it all.  It looks like Thor will be in the next Guardians of the Galaxy film and why not?  We have already seen pretty much all of Asgard in space after Thor: Ragnarok and we know in Avengers: Infinity War Thor goes gallivanting with Rocket and the gang.  It totally makes sense!  Plus, the name simply rocks.  Obviously, there needed to be a way to bring back fan favorite Gamora without making her sacrifice worthless.  But couldn’t Cap have snagged Black Widow from a past timeline also and just sent her in his place back to the future?

Speaking of which, I love how bummed Scott Lang was to find out that Back to the Future was just fictional bunk.  The humor in this film was at times rocking and at times odd, but overall it was peppered with the right amount for such a serious film.  Plus, this film truly had some gravitas.  Serious emotional quandaries.  Serious questions about messing with time and the possible consequences.  Tony with a child?  That was cool.  Tony completely emaciated after his outer space experience?  Really showed how much Tony was struggling with it all.  Cap starting a support group reminiscent of Falcon.  And was that Jim Stalin in the support group?  I think that might have been various comic creators in cameo roles.

Speaking of cameos, of course seeing Stan one more time was priceless.  Fittingly his last (I assume) appearance.  It’s always good to see Rene Russo and nice to see people who died in other films find a way back for this one.  Tilda Swinton’s revival of the Ancient One had to be my favorite though.  Not only was she pivotal to the plot, but completely understood exactly what Bruce Banner was trying to do.  And then having that discussion with him was truly an “out of body” experience.  It was also cool that when Hulk gets there looking for Doctor Strange she tells him “You’re about five years too early.”  Of course, being a huge Padme Amidala fan, I was so happy to see Natalie Portman making an appearance.  Too bad that is all it was though.  It would have been nice to see Jane Foster interact with Thor.  Loved that Valkyrie was made Queen of Asgard!

So what’s next?  I’m thinking Skrulls.  They featured prominently in Captain Marvel so that would make sense.  And one of the major storylines in Marvel Comics was the whole Secret Invasion plot where Skrulls infiltrated every area of Earth life including the superhero community.  Although in Captain Marvel the Skrulls didn’t take on the traditional role they have in the comics.  Largely, the Skrulls are evil in print.  They were refugees in the movies which makes them quite sympathetic.  Perhaps a different take on the Kree-Skrull War?  This time with the Skrulls as the good guys?  Of course there is always the Korvac Saga which pits the Avengers against another being with god-like powers.  This time, in the comics, the Guardians of the Galaxy are built into the plot!  And so is “Ms.” Marvel (who would become Captain Marvel later in the comics).  Potential?  Speaking of potential and the Guardians, another plot twist would be something to do with Adam Strange also known as Warlock.  Warlock was a major influence in the more space-faring side of the Marvel Universe.  And he knows Gamora.  Obviously they will be doing something with him in the next Guardians film so we will see.  No future plotline was hinted at for Black Panther or Doctor Strange.  The future seems to be in safe hands with the creative minds of Marvel so we’ll just strap in for the ride.  The question everyone is asking though – will there be another 10 year story arc?