Calissa Jones
So, you’ve watched Endgame. How are you going to survive now?
We’ve all gone through it: the array of emotions experienced when watching the new (and arguably potentially the best) Avengers movie. It can be draining and heartbreaking; we get it. Luckily, this isn’t the end of the road (at least for us; sorry, Iron Man). The Marvel Cinematic Universe will live on, and that’s something to be excited for. So, without further ado, here’s five things that will help you transition back to hope.
There are More Movies Coming
We’ve all seen promotions for Far From Home, the last movie to occur in Phase 3. This will likely commemorate the events in Endgame, so checking it out (for emotional healing, of course) is a must. After this, though, we have a whole other phase to look forward to. This will include individual Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and even Black Widow movies (so don’t worry Nat fans, you’ll still get to see her again!). Along with these comebacks, Marvel will also be introducing new characters, including Shang-Chi, a martial arts master from the comic books, and the Eternals, god-like aliens (reportedly similar to Thanos). And, perhaps best of all, Guardians of the Galaxy will be coming back, so maybe we can finally see more of the heartwarming reunions they deserve.
Marvel Has TV Shows Too!
Often, people forget about the television shows that Marvel creates, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Daredevil, and Jessica Jones. In the next coming month, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 6 will premiere, and it’s likely that the effects of the snap will be seen here. The show has had direct references to the major Marvel movies before, such as the Chitauri attack, the Sokovia Accords, and more. Even a few characters come from the movies, such as Phil Coulson (pictured), Lady Sif, Nick Fury, Baron Von Strucker, President Ellis, Gideon Malick, and the Kree. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. isn’t the only show out there that does this, but later, there will be even more of these references in new shows. With the advent of Disney +, new Marvel series are rumoured to be in the works, including ones for Wanda and Loki (more on him later). Regardless, there is plenty of more Marvel content to be seen and characters to fall in love with, so we recommend checking these shows out.
One Word: Loki
Let’s talk about Loki for a quick second. In Endgame, we were able to see him for what felt like .5 seconds, and though it was short, it was heartwarming (at least for those who like him; then again, how can’t you like him?). Well, luckily for us all, there’s going to be more of that sneaky smiling Asgardian to enjoy. Not only will he be most likely getting a Marvel TV series on Disney +, but his actual existence in the MCU may continue on. In Endgame, Loki grabs the Tesseract in the past and vanishes. While according to the characters, this just creates a new present rather than changing the past, perhaps that works to Loki’s advantage. If he finds a way to cross back to the regular timeline without being killed again by Thanos, we could experience more Loki scenes on the big screen. Another thing to note is that out of the original six Avengers, Thor is the only one without a resolved storyline. Tony and Nat die, Banner makes peace with the Hulk, Hawkeye reconciles with his family, and Cap was able to spend his life with Peggy and pass the mantle to Falcon. Perhaps Thor helps usher in Phase 4, and Loki may be a part of this. While this is all speculation, keep in mind Loki’s mini Marvel series; no matter what, we will be seeing him again.
Tony’s Life
It’s a sad topic, but it serves a purpose: justifying Tony’s death. Tony was there from the beginning, ever since he built the first “suit” in a cave with a box of scraps. Through time, he transformed, breaking the stereotype of being just a “genius, billionaire, (omitted), philanthropist.” That matters. Remember when Cap told him he only fights for himself? Or how about that random lady near the elevator in Civil War saying the exact same thing? Well, didn’t Tony prove them wrong! And going to that death and what it meant, it was only after Tony saw his picture with Peter that he decided to go through with the plan, to leave his little Morgan in hopes to save Peter and everyone else he loves. That matters, too. Ultimately, Tony showed it wasn’t his suit that made him a hero; it was his willingness to help others, even if that put him in danger. He sacrificed himself proving that, and that has meaning. It shows just how far he came, how many lives he’s touched. It’s often joked that Peter and Harley- the kid from Iron Man 3- are practically Tony’s own sons, and that serves a purpose when it comes to Phase 4. Tony was a mentor to all, and no matter who picks up his mantle- Peter, Harley, Morgan- he’ll still be that guide for each one of them. He ensured they would all get to live, and that will remain a part of the Marvel Universe forever. That’s something to be proud of.
Fan Creations and Other Videos
Last, but certainly not least, as they always say, none of this could have been done without the fans. And if you’re looking for emotional support, look at the people who are sharing the same emotions and experiences. Already, there are a plethora of Youtube videos commemorating the fallen and celebrating the living. Others compile the best moments of all, or hopeful predictions that’ll make things look a bit brighter. If that’s not your thing, it’s also important to note that a part of the characters are the actors themselves. Let’s be honest; who can truly distinguish between Tony Stark and Robert Downey Jr. anyways, right? Interviews are thus great additions to the mix, especially ones that include the entire cast. With that in mind, here’s a few suggestions: I Am Iron Man by Top Screen, Marvel Battle Royale by Voordeel, all the Avengers songs sung by the cast (“We Are Avengers,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and “The Marvel Bunch”), and any videos that include Paul Rudd (trust us, this one’s highly recommended).
One last note; go watch the previous movies! Seeing the band back together again is the best way to feel better! It’s been one heck of an experience, and who knows what the future holds in store?