MCU Phase 4: Which Characters Will Return After Avengers: Endgame?

By Simon Gallagher / May 7, 2019

Avengers: Endgame was always supposed to be an end of sorts and for some major characters, it absolutely was. This was the culmination of a sprawling, interconnected narrative that took 21 movies and 11 years to get through and it very much marked the end of the First Age of the MCU.

But this was also a beginning. Endgame is a crossroads that will reshape the future of the franchise, both on the big screen and on Disney+ and there's a lot of difference to be expected from here on out. On top of that, though, there are a lot more characters who could continue on now than might have been expected before Endgame was released.

We were led to believe that Endgame would be a bit of a bloodbath with multiple characters dying, when in reality only two major characters were killed and one notably retired. Others have probably now dropped away too, so the real question at this stage is which of the Endgame characters (and a few missing ones) will return into Phase 4.

And let's start where the MCU did, with The OG Avengers...

The Original Avengers

It is very clear from the end of Endgame, that the Avengers Initiative may not even be active anymore. The Avengers Facility lies in ruins and the leaders are gone. There's a possibility that something else replaces them, but for now we'll have to wait and see. But what of each of the inidividuals?

32. Nick Fury

Status: Alive

He had very little to do in the end for Endgame, but he did return from the dead in the climax and was spotted in the final scenes with the remaining Avengers. Typically, he stood around in the background being all moody without saying anything, confirming that he's still around and he's still a badass, basically.

Next Up: Spider-Man: Far From Home

As per the trailers, the SHIELD director turns up to interrupt Peter Parker's European schooltrip to employ him on the mission that brings him into contact with Mysterio. Presumably, he's back to operating as SHIELD's top man by now as well. How long he'll remain in that position probably depends on Samuel L Jackson's willingness to stick around.

31. Professor Hulk

Status: Alive

The new improved Hulk is a joy and the fact that his arc ends with balance and not death is a truly great thing. His new Professor Hulk demeanour was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire film and were it not for complexities in the logistics of bringing him to the big screen as a solo concern, you'd have to suspect we would already have seen it again.

Next Up: Unknown

Marvel would be mad not to use him more, but the rights issues might make that impossible. Right now, none of it is really clear but having a character that notable still around means he HAS to return surely.