Considering how Thanos spent the movie constantly talking about how wiping out half of all living beings would bring “balance” to the universe, hardly anyone believed he would manage it. Even longtime fans of the comics were caught off guard by the way the film was structured.
The original Infinity Gauntlet comic, which influenced parts of this film, actually begins with Thanos already in possession of all six Infinity Stones. That unexpected twist is part of what made the film stand out. Viewers assumed that this movie would follow The Infinity Gauntlet arc closely.
Infinity War rewrote the rules of superhero finales (Photo: Avengers Infinity War/Marvel Studios)But instead of picking up from that storyline, Avengers: Infinity War stops at the point where the comic book starts. That move did more than just throw off those who rely on spoilers; it helped build a stronger sense that anything could happen in both films.
Thanos eventually succeeds in using the completed Gauntlet, snapping his fingers and harnessing the full force of all the stones. His act doesn’t just affect the Avengers and their allies—it wipes out half of all living creatures, both on Earth and across the cosmos, as seen clearly during the post-credits scene.
What’s the Story Behind Farmer Thanos?
Although this may seem like a contradiction to what was said earlier about the comic book’s starting point, Thanos’ peaceful farm life is a reference to how the comic ended. After staging his death to escape absolute defeat, he withdrew to a distant planet where he could live quietly and in seclusion.
And he remained in that place for some time.
The Remaining Avengers Will React
Of course, it’s only a matter of time before the Avengers regroup to confront what’s happened. That leads into the next topic…
Who Died in Avengers: Infinity War?
This question doesn’t have a straightforward answer. There’s a general rule that can help clarify what happened to most of the characters. If a character died and you saw their body lying still and lifeless, then they are likely permanently gone and not coming back.
The snap that silenced even the loudest fans (Photo: Avengers Infinity War/Marvel Studios)Gamora might be the one exception here because chances are high that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has something planned for her. On the flip side, if a character disintegrated into dust, that’s probably not the end for them. In comic books, when there’s nobody left behind, it usually means the door is still open for a return.
And even if a body exists, you can never be too sure. T’Challa, for example, became the face of one of the highest-earning movies ever—he’s not likely to be written off before Black Panther 2 arrives. Peter Parker already has Spider-Man: Far From Home on the schedule for July 2019, so he’s expected to return.
That covers the more reassuring part.
Now to the worrying part: the Avengers who didn’t disappear—those still alive, like Rocket, and those not shown here but still active, like Captain Marvel and Hawkeye—are going to face tough times in Avengers: Endgame.
If you look closely, the only team members who remain standing are those from the original Avengers lineup. That’s no coincidence. The setup looks like it’s meant to lead into some big final event—and such moments usually don’t come without a few characters making permanent exits. But that’s an issue for another time.
Waiting for Avengers 4 Will Be Tough
Between now and the release date for Avengers 4 on May 3, 2019, fans have a long wait ahead. Anyone curious about what Marvel has lined up can check out their upcoming movie schedule.
