Avengers: Endgame - Reasons To Lose Your Mind

So, I'm struggling to remember a film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe that I've watched more than Infinity War. I still struggle to process how the Russos managed to squeeze so much into two and a half hours so tightly, with perfect pacing a fantastic narrative running throughout. And that's still with leaving a lot of things out that I thought we may get to see. Instead we were left waiting. So I've compiled a list of things that I hope will happen in Endgame, and that I just know that entire theatres will lose their shit to on opening night.

Now admittedly, these are all based on my expectations, and there may not be anything substantial to back these up, but it's all for fun!

THE RESURRECTION OF MJOLNIR
We're all expecting this one right? Surely it's too big a moment in the Marvel comics to be ignored. We all expect time-travel to play a part in Endgame, and we're going to see lots of returning players, but what about that hardest of hardware?

Going one further, who will lift it? In the comics we all know Steve was considered worthy, but often the Russos like to throw a curveball out there. Could we see Tony make the sacrifice play and lift Mjolnir?

THE REUNIONS

There's a lot of ground to cover here without doubt. The emotional weight of Tony & Peter's goodbye was a huge moment in Infinity War, one that is likely to be the driving force behind Tony's efforts once he returns to earth. Groot will reunite for a second time within in the MCU with his Dad. And from the first trailer, Clint finds himself in a dark, dark place - how will Black Widow bring him back to the light and into the fold for the big finale? And Steve has lost Bucky once again. Will he be so fortunate to save him one more time?

And finally, of course, the Avengers themselves. Unlike The Beatles, there is a Fab Four we'll get to see together on-screen again - it wasn't accidental that Thor, Tony, Bruce and Steve are left alive by the end of Infinity War. Before that, we need to see Tony and Steve come to peace with each other after many years apart, and what a moment that will be.

RETURNING FACES

Seen only sparingly in Infinity War, you just know that Hulk's entrance will likely be just as grand as his Battle Of New York anger fit. Probably saved for the third act, the grand finale, the Hulk has unfinished business and be out for revenge. Maybe after more training from Valkyrie?

The common belief is that Gamora now resides within the Soul Stone, so not only can we expect her return by the close of Endgame, but also an emotional reunion with Star Lord.

Could we see Korg provide some comic relief in rescuing Tony just as things are at their most bleak? Did Shuri find a way of saving Vision? After all, anyone with a bit of IT knowledge knows you make a backup of your system before making drastic changes! Maybe Kraglyn might be able to offer some support from the Ravagers!

Red Skull was a pleasant surprise in Infinity War, could he pop up once more or might we even see another villain from the past show up? Surely no one believes that Ultron was really wiped out in Sokovia, that no one murderbot escaped during that whole mess?

DEATHS. PERMANENT DEATHS.

Oh boy. As devastating as it was to see T'Chala, Groot, Peter et al get dusted, it does lose a bit of weight in the cold light of day when you know that all of these guys have films on the horizon. Of course they'll be back. Endgame however won't have that luxury, and with the biggest stars in the franchise reaching the end of their contracts, we might well see any of the franchise's biggest guns dying for good this time.

Thanos is leaving nothing to chance this time, there'll be no pulled punches when he comes up against the Avengers and co this time, and it's likely someone will need to lay their life on the line to succeed in beating him.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: WHAT IS HER DEAL?!

We've all seen Justice League surely? What a waste of an hour and a half of our lives. You have a team of heroes assembled who need their asses saving by a guy benched for most of the film. Surely Marvel won't build a universe for 11 years, and allow a superhero with one film to their name swoop in and be the saviour of the galaxy? We know she's the most powerful force we've seen to date in the MCU, so how do they insert her into a post-Infinity War landscape? I escape we won't find out a great deal about that in the Captain Marvel film, but I'm interested to see how the Russos pull this one off.