Warning: spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War are in play. If you haven't seen the film yet, and want to remain unspoiled, please hop out of this article and check out one of our non-Marvel articles!
By time the credits were rolling and Avengers: Infinity War started to allow the audience to breathe again, there was one question that a lot of people asked when all was said and done: "Is that how Marvel is really going to end it?" Even with the foreknowledge that the film was always meant to be the first part of a two-part arc, pockets of the film's audience still can't believe that they would leave such a cliffhanger unresolved. It's that reaction that got me to thinking about whether or not scheduling the two Avengers films a whole year apart was really a good idea. Now, both sides have merits, but ultimately there's one camp I clearly fall into. For now though, let's play devil's advocate and look at both cases.
The Case For A Months-Long GapWhen you've got a pair of sequels that are produced back to back, telling a story wound so tightly that the second film finishes the other's sentences, it's often been the tradition to only schedule those films a few months apart. Seeing as The Lord of the Rings were all fully produced adaptations of a three novel setup, I'm not counting it in this situation. But if you look at The Matrix Reloaded / The Matrix Revolutions and Back To The Future Part II and III, you see the sort of film that Avengers: Infinity War seems to be taking after.
As the story of Avengers: Infinity War ends on a dark note, with half of the Marvel Cinematic Universe zapped out of existence, and the villain apparently satisfied with his work, Avengers 4 would have been at an advantage if it was scheduled for release in the fall or winter of this year's box office calendar. Not only would that sort of strategy help crush the box office records of 2018, it would also allow the audience gratification a little earlier, as viewers would get to see the story wrapped up in a more timely manner. Not to mention, it'd solve that whole problem surrounding how the hell Sony is going to advertise Spider-Man: Homecoming 2, However, there are also two good reasons for Marvel Studios to put space in-between their Avengers films.
The Case For The Gap YearIf Avengers: Infinity War were a more traditional two-part arc, it would make infinitely more sense to have both parts play out closer together, with only a span of months between them. However, this is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which means that this story isn't going to just span across the two Avengers films bookending each other. With two more Marvel Studios movies, Ant-Man and The Wasp and Captain Marvel, making their way to theaters in-between Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4, the events of those films are inevitably going to be affected by the events we've just seen unfold on the screen this weekend, and in one case it's more readily apparent.
The moment the post-credits scene of Avengers: Infinity War showed us that Nick Fury was contacting Carol Danvers for her origin story close-up, the threads started to sew the next year of Marvel Studios films together all the more closer. With Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, and The Wasp all absent from the proceedings of the latest Avengers movie, they're more than likely going to be around for Avengers 4, filling the gaps of the heroes that were vaporized in Thanos's usage of the Infinity Gauntlet.
Which Works BetterAgain, if Avengers: Infinity War wasn't being used as a part era closer / part platform for future heroes to launch off of, it'd make more sense to schedule the films closer together. With two more films being affected by, and ultimately playing into, the fate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it makes more sense to give the films space to play out the ultimate story being told. So in this scenario, pushing the resolution to the larger cliffhanger makes perfect sense in terms of the storytelling. Even better is the fact that Marvel Studios has some really solid business reasons to engage in this sort of long game, as well.
Not only will Avengers 4's May 4, 2019 release date help it capitalize on the same sort of massive box-office opportunity that Avengers: Infinity War has enjoyed, but it'll also undoubtedly boost the prospects for both Ant-Man and The Wasp and Captain Marvel's grosses to excel in similar fashion. Both films will hold clues and plot points to fulfill the promises Infinity War has made, and everyone will be hungry for answers in the year in-between, so they'll be must sees for all.
At this moment, the delay makes a lot of sense; but we'll only really know next year when Avengers 4 takes the stage on May 4, 2019. But in the meantime, we'll have Ant-Man and The Wasp to enjoy on July 6th, with Captain Marvel debuting in theaters on March 8th, 2019. If you're interested in reading up on the upcoming release dates for Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks beyond those two, you can head over to our Marvel release date schedule for further information.
Should Marvel Have Scheduled Avengers 4 Closer To The Release
Close Avengers game: Marvel and Square Enix announce release date and trailer for long-awaited title. Game will have its own story and character looks, separate from films even if a few kick
Avengers: Endgame Reigns Over Marvel Cinematic Universe When
After all, the Captain Marvel trailer is pretty exciting in its own right, but it also works to tease the arrival of Avengers 4: Infinity War 2 at the same time. "It's all connected," as the
Avengers game: Marvel and Square Enix announce release date
Avengers: Endgame reigns supreme at the box office when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and as one astute Marvel fan has pointed out, the latest Avengers flick is also on top when it
5 Must-Read Avengers Comics Before the Release of Avengers
Chadwick Boseman, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Sebastian Stan in 'Avengers: Infinity War' When Is Avengers 5 Release Date?. Avengers 5 doesn't technically have a release date. However
All The Deleted Scenes Marvel Will Include On The Avengers
Avengers: Endgame is getting closer and closer to beating Avatar's box office record, and it looks like the film is doing whatever it takes to meet that goal. On Wednesday, ComicBook.com was the
What 'Avengers 4' Trailer Fever Should Teach Marvel
Avengers: Infinity War, which is scheduled to be released April 27, is the culmination of 18 films produced by the Marvel Studios over the last decade.Without a doubt, one of the most anticipated movies I can ever remember, Infinity War will feature Jim Starlin's creation, Thanos of Titan, and his Infinity Gauntlet.
Own Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War! - YouTube
Avengers: Endgame — the final movie of what Marvel has dubbed the Infinity Saga, the cornerstone of Phase Three — is out, and it has shaken up many things for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We
These all sound great, but it should also be noted that the deleted/extended scenes are far from the only special features audiences will get with the Avengers: Infinity War home video release. In
Avengers: Endgame: Every upcoming Marvel movie in Phase 4
It's all been leading to this! Get Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War with over 2 hours of bonus features on Digital, Movies Anywhere & 4K UHD July 31 and Blu-ray August 14.
'Avengers 5' Release Date, Cast, Trailer, Title, and More to
Again, if Avengers: Infinity War wasn't being used as a part era closer / part platform for future heroes to launch off of, it'd make more sense to schedule the films closer together. With two
Marvel Fans React to Avengers: Endgame Being Re-Released With
