Will 'Empyre' be the series that brings Young Avengers to the big screen? It's perfect timing, after all
Marvel has just begun its delayed crossover event 'Empyre'. This week saw the release of its second issue, as well as several tie-in issues throwing some limelight on the Avengers, the X-Men, and the one character whom it seemed would be at the center of it all — Young Avenger Teddy Altman. While the other Young Avengers have been teased in one form or the other, Teddy Altman remains the one character for whom there was no hint of appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The events of 'Emypre', however, would be the perfect starting point for a crisis that could bring a 'Young Avengers' film together for the very first time.
Teddy Altman, sometimes known as Hulkling for his green skin, is the son of the first Captain Marvel (a Kree warrior named Mar-Vell) and a Skrull princess. Having such a unique and prestigious parentage is one thing, but Teddy is also a rare hybrid of the Skrull and the Kree empires. As such, he was destined from birth to unite the two long-warring species. in the lead-up to 'Empyre', he has managed to do so. The promotions for 'Empyre' teased Teddy to have taken a villainous role, bringing the new Kree-Skrull alliance to earth, but this proves to have been a misdirect. The new Empire is instead seeking to destroy the Cotati, a race of plant-like aliens who seek to eradicate all meat-based life in the universe.
In the comics, the first enemy that the Young Avengers went up against was Kang the Conqueror — a long time Avengers villain with mastery over time. The story was a confusing tale of time travel and consequences, that ended less with a victory for the Young Avengers than it did with them narrowly escaping with their lives. It was an unsatisfying victory for the Young Avengers, and it wasn't until the Kree and Skrull armies came to claim Teddy Altman that the Young Avengers got their first real superheroic break, teaming up with the New Avengers for an epic battle above the Avengers tower.
It was a story that has long been forgotten, until the current 'Empyre' story arc. With the Avengers seemingly disbanded after the events of 'Endgame', introducing both the New Avengers and the Young Avengers seems like the next natural step — and reports are that the Young Avengers movie is already on track. We've already been introduced to the Kree-Skrull conflict in 'Captain Marvel'. Having both armies come to earth in search of Teddy Altman so that he may lead them, while earth is defenseless without the aid of an official Avengers team, would be the perfect setup to bring the Young Avengers together and introduce Teddy Altman all at once.
For now, however, we are going to have to wait for 'WandaVision' and 'Hawkeye' to get any clear indication as to whether or not a 'Young Avengers' film is officially on the cards or not.
The Marvel comics 'Empyre' crossover event is currently on sale wherever comics are sold.
