Thor's new toy, Hulkbuster, Cap's powers and more Avengers: Infinity War Easter Eggs you might have missed
Believe it or not, but in just about a week's time, Marvel fans will witness the grandest ensemble cast take over the screens when the third installment of the Avengers: Infinity War, hits theaters next Friday, the 27th.
Not for no reason, though, is Avengers 3 being touted as one of the most ambitious projects to ever take shape under the umbrella of MCU - the interconnected cinematic universe of the comic franchise. To begin with, the upcoming blockbuster boasts an absolutely star-studded cast, bringing together all the known and established characters that have so far made an appearance in the standalone or ensemble movies.
We are talking about the topguns like Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Star Lord (Chris Pratt), King T'Challa of Wakanda (Chadwick Boseman), newly-introduced Spider-Man (played by Tom Holland) along with a mix of big and small comic book characters.
As impressive as the line-up of superheroes, is Infinity War's formidable foe - mad titan Thanos - whose ever-growing quest for the infinity stones in a bid to ensure world domination will force the Earth-bound Avengers to join hands with several other saviors.
Now, given the circumstances (and the millions of dollars that the studios have poured into this project), it shouldn't come as a big surprise to fans that director duo Anthony and Joe Russo are remaining cautious and tight-lipped when it comes to any sort of plot details. Not the one to be taken aback by this guarded stance, however, we did a little digging for all you Marvel fans (you're welcome).
And here's what we have come up with - every little Easter egg, clue, callback, and details that may or may not (but most likely it will) spoil Infinity War for you. Take our word for it, if you don't want a taste of the forbidden, this is the right time to stop reading - you have been warned!
'Snap of his fingers' - a nod to comic book history
If you are a puritan when it comes to comic book movies, this bit of a detail from the last and what seems like the final trailer will definitely appeal to your nerd cells. The video opens with a shot of Gamora and our very own Tony Stark with the former recalling her days with the twisted Thanos, and the only goal that drove the villainy - the all-powerful Infinity Stones.
“The entire time I knew him he only ever had one goal: to wipe out half the universe," she says, "If he gets all the Infinity Stones, he can do it with a snap of his fingers.” Her statement is followed by a gesture as she emphasizes the gravity of the threat by snapping her own fingers.
Now in the original Infinity War comics, this snapping of fingers seems to be the sole aim of the deadly villain, who has been on a mad conquest of the universe. And even though MCU has, since the very beginning, maintained a different direction than the comics - the "snap" was just the cheeky connect every loyalist loved.
Move over Thor and Hulk - there's a new power couple
On one hand, there are the Marvel couples and their ongoing romantic developments, and on the other hand, there is the beloved duo - Thor and The Hulk - whose eccentric dynamics, frequent banters and jovial disputes, have over the time, become a source for many a comic break. Their relationship peaked in Thor: Ragnarok, but from the looks of the Infinity War trailer it seems like another up and coming duo might be in the making.
Iron Man and Peter Quill aka Star Lord. In an, otherwise serious and dark video, the two Avengers interact for just a few seconds and in the short span of time, their newly-formed dynamics unfailingly hits the funny bone.
Comic timing asides, the two coming together also hints at the bigger picture - which is the clash of egos as the superheroes (each a star in their own right) cross paths. One may also prepare for new pairings, after all, to take down the antagonist, the Avengers will need to cover all the bases, be it on Earth or in space.
Reveal of Thanos' power and Captain America's endurance
The fact that the purple-skilled alien is hunting for the soul gems - better known as Infinity Stones in the cinematic universe - is no news to fans. But a thorough breakdown of the trailer clip revealed something that might spell bad news for the Asgardians - who were last seen aboard a spaceship escaping massive destruction.
In one particular scene, Thanos is seen in his full glory, wearing his armor and the Infinity gauntlet - the glove that will ultimately wield the power of the six stones. However, his attire changes somewhat (the armor is missing) when he is seen torturing an eye-patch wearing Thor. Now a devoted follower would know that any minor change is indicative of cosmic alterations in the MCU - meaning it's possible that the former warlord somehow obtains the Space stone from Loki (alongside his Power stone), but after a major altercation with the God of Thunder.
Further proof of this can be discovered in co-director Joe Russo's old spoilers: "It’s a spiritual journey for him to collect the Stones, and one with which he doesn’t need armor. Once he starts acquiring the Stones, he doesn’t need armor in the same way he did when he was a war lord. It’s a very symbolic costume."
The second part of this Easter Egg is once again linked to Thanos' strength but the one facing him this time is none other than Steve Rogers. Now we all knew that coming into Avengers 3, after the events of Civil War, the Captain will be super powerful and renewed by the strength of his super soldier serum. But how, in the seven heavens, did he muster such superhuman powers that he could bare-handedly restrain a blow from the monstrous Thanos powered by the strength of two stones.
Our guess is as good as yours - with the clip cutting out with this very scene, it looks quite ominous for the Cap.
Cutting-edge tech aka Iron Man's new armor
Since the very first Iron Man movie in 2008 by Jon Favreau, the Marvel bosses have made it a point to give this reel-life, Elon Musk-esque character some highly advanced upgrade each time he slips into his suave, cutting-edge Iron Man armor. And Infinity War would be no different, thanks to the Stark Industries.
This becomes even more evident when Stark's superhero alter ego simply decides to take off skywards with his boots undergoing a complicated transformation that not only boosts his speed but also hurls him in full strength towards a mysterious force.
But, before you begin celebration in honor of the new tech, it must be taken into consideration that at one point Stark dons a defeated look on his face with the self-deploying Iron Man suit nowhere in sight. Who can hold back Thanos if not Tony, is the question raised by Iron Man's doomed appearance.
God of Thunder strikes lightning with his new toy
For Thor, it ended on a pretty grim note following a series of fateful events during his last adventure in Thor: Ragnarok. After losing the battle to his sister Hella, the Asgardian heir was not only rendered homeless but also without an eye and his prized possession, the hammer Mjolnir.
Having lost his hammer, it is obvious that an Earth-bound Thor would be needing a new weapon if he were to join the fight in stopping the titanic powers of Thanos. While there's no official word about a new hammer, some leaked pictures of Avengers: Infinity War seems to indicate that Thor would be brandishing a new weapon called the Stormbreaker - a cross between an axe and a hammer.
Created originally for Beta Ray Bill by Odin, the Stormbreaker is made of the same metal as Mjolnir and a first look (although it's digitally altered) could be seen in the trailer video as Thor calls upon the forces of lightning.
Hulkbuster is back
Fans would remember the infamous Hulkbuster suit from Avengers: Age of Ultron, where Tony Stark slips into the armor to restrain the unstoppable Hulk. The heavily-powered suit is making a comeback in a split-second scene from the trailer is any proof. But, instead of Iron Man it would be Dr. Bruce Banner inside the Hulkbuster in Infinity War.
Does this mean that Russo brothers are giving a miss to The Incredible Hulk? Definitely not. Even though Banner seems to be using the Hulkbuster to protect his human self as Dr. Banner, it won't be long before he actually comes out of his get-up and embraces the green skin to take down the army of alien soldiers.
Fatal end for one of Thor's trusted confidantes
A frame-by-frame analysis of the Infinity War trailer seemed to reveal one crucial, perhaps the most devastating Easter Egg, hinting that Thanos' arrival could spell the end for a beloved character.
In the scene where Loki is captured by the alien king's army including the Black Order, a zoomed in shot reveals a sword lying along with the bundle of the dead. On closer observation, though it appears that it might be the sword wielded by a close confidante of the God of Thunder - Heimdall.
Indeed, it's just a speculation as of now, and yet the appearance of Heimdall’s weapon in a location of mass massacre is anything but positive. The all-seeing, all-knowing God has been for some time now, pulling up a solo act, fighting the forces of Hella. And looks like he's close to a breaking point.
Is this the last appearance of the fierce Norse God? Our best bet is to wait until Avengers: Infinity Wars releases this April.