What If...? season 1 (2021)

Alternate versions of the team appear in What If...?

In an alternate 2011, a vengeful Hank Pym eliminates the Avengers' candidates: Stark, Thor, Barton, Banner, and Romanoff. After Pym is defeated, Loki proceeds to invade Earth. Meanwhile, Fury prepares to recreate the team after Rogers is discovered in the Arctic and Danvers responds to his call.^[47] Rogers, Danvers, and Fury later battle Loki and his Asgardian army aboard a Helicarrier. During the fight, the Watcher brings in a variant of Romanoff, and she incapacitates Loki with his scepter.^[48] In an alternate 2018, a quantum virus is released turning people into zombies. Some of the Avengers respond to an outbreak in San Francisco and are infected as well. Banner and Parker survive, and with other allies, find Vision and Maximoff, with Vision taking care of an infected Maximoff. Vision sacrifices himself to provide the Mind Stone to find a cure, while Banner stays behind to keep Maximoff at bay, allowing Parker, T'Challa, and Lang to escape to Wakanda where an infected Thanos awaits with the other Infinity Stones.^[49] In an alternate 2015, Ultron successfully implants himself into Vision's body and exterminates the Avengers, except for Barton and Romanoff. Years later, Ultron begins a campaign of destruction across the universe after obtaining the Infinity Stones, while Barton and Romanoff fight Ultron's sentries. They attempt to shutdown Ultron and eventually prepare to upload an analog copy of Arnim Zola's consciousness into Ultron's hivemind, but Barton sacrifices himself in vain as the upload fails when Ultron enters the multiverse.^[50]

What If...? season 2 (2023)

In an alternate 1988, Howard Stark and Peggy Carter form a response team composed of Hank Pym, Bill Foster, T'Chaka, Wendy Lawson, and Bucky Barnes to subdue a young Peter Quill under Ego's influence. With Thor's help, the team successfully defeats Ego and frees Quill from his control, while Pym adopts Quill. As a fully-formed team, Pym, Foster, Lawson, T'Chaka, and Thor agree to continue working together.^[51][52] In an alternate universe on Christmas Eve, Stark and Rogers dress up as Santa Claus and an elf respectively at a shopping mall, while Barton and Banner try to maintain crowds at an Avengers toy action store. Elsewhere, Romanoff intercepts a former HYDRA agent at a Christmas ballet. They gather together and arrive at the Avengers Tower for the annual Christmas party but defend it from the Freak, until Darcy Lewis reveals he is Happy Hogan and that Justin Hammer infiltrated the Tower. As they prepare to party, Thor arrives outside late.^[53] In an alternate 2012, the Avengers, composed of Carter, Stark, Thor, Romanoff, Barton, and the Wasp, subdue Loki's Chitauri invasion in New York.^[54][55] Captain Carter gets transported to 1602 in a new universe by Wanda Merlin,^[54] and agrees to help her and Sir Nicholas Fury after learning about an impending incursion. Later, a tear opens up, with Carter saving Loki but not Queen Hela, resulting in her being hunted down by Sir Harold "Happy" Hogan and the Royal Yellowjackets under the new King Thor's orders. Carter locates Tony Stark to get his help in retrieving Thor's Scepter. She finds Loki's carriage and meets Rogers Hood, Bucky Barnes, and Scott Lang. After Carter frees Bruce Banner, everyone meets with Stark, who shows them the device he created to help. They all disguise themselves to enter Thor's courtroom and a fight occurs. Carter takes the Scepter and uses the Time Stone inside Stark's device, exposing a time-displaced Rogers, who inadvertently created the temporal anomaly during a battle with Thanos. She is forced to say goodbye to him and sends him back to his universe, averting the incursion.^[56][57]

Other universes

A version of the Avengers existed on Earth-838 where Peggy Carter / Captain Carter became the first member.^[58][59] In an alternate 2018, the Avengers and Thanos are killed during the Battle of Wakanda when Glenn Talbot / Graviton, attempting to draw up enough gravitonium to help the Avengers defeat Thanos, accidentally causes the planet to explode.^[60][61] In several alternate universes, the Avengers were killed by Kang, who successfully conquered their respective universes.^[45]

The Avengers

Kevin Feige helped conceive the concept of the Avengers in one shared universe.

In the mid-2000s, Feige realized that Marvel still owned the rights to the core members of the Avengers. Feige, a self-professed "fanboy", envisioned creating a shared universe just as creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby had done with their comic books in the early 1960s.^[98] Ideas for a film based on the Avengers began in 2003,^[99] with Avi Arad, the CEO of Marvel Studios, first announcing plans to develop the film in April 2005. This followed Marvel Enterprises declaring independence by allying with Merrill Lynch to produce a slate of films that would be distributed by Paramount Pictures.^[100] Marvel discussed their plans in a brief presentation to Wall Street analysts; the studio's intention was to release films for each main character to establish their identities and familiarize audiences with them before a crossover film.^[101][102] Screenwriter Zak Penn, who wrote The Incredible Hulk (2008), which introduced Bruce Banner / Hulk, became attached to the film in 2006 and was hired by Marvel Studios to write The Avengers in June 2007.^[103] In the wake of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, Marvel negotiated with the Writers Guild of America to ensure that it could create films based on its comic book counterparts, including Captain America, Ant-Man and the Avengers.^[104] After the successful release of Iron Man in May, which introduced Tony Stark / Iron Man, the company set a July 2011 release date for The Avengers.^[105] In September 2008, Marvel Studios reached an agreement with Paramount—an extension of a previous partnership—which gave the company distribution rights for five future Marvel films.^[106]

In October 2008, two major prospects occurred for Marvel Studios: Favreau was brought in as an executive producer for the film,^[107] and the company signed a long-term lease with Raleigh Studios to produce three additional big-budget films alongside The Avengers at their Manhattan Beach, California complex. The films were Iron Man 2 (2010), introducing Romanoff, Thor introducing Thor and a cameo appearance of Barton, and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), introducing Rogers.^[108] Favreau stated that he would not direct the film, but would "definitely have input and a say". Favreau expressed concerns about combining characters such as Iron Man and Thor, noting Iron Man's character was based around technology, while the inclusion of Thor would require the introduction of supernatural elements, which he said would require "a lot of thoughtfulness to make that all work and not blow the reality that we've created".^[109] In March 2009, Marvel announced that the film's release date had been pushed back to May 4, 2012, almost a full year later.^[110]

In July 2009, Penn talked about the crossover process, desiring to "kind of shuttle between the different movies" while emulating the structure of comic books to ensure the films were connected. He also wanted to use animatics wherever possible to help visualize the film and used the same board so that the team was "working off the same visual ideas".^[111] At first, Penn tried to reduce Thor's role in the script because he had doubts about the character's ability to succeed on film, but changed his mind once Hemsworth was cast.^[112] The film had always intended to use Loki as its villain, but Penn noted that early discussion had considered using Red Skull.^[113]

In January 2010, Feige was asked if it would be difficult to meld the fantasy of Thor with the high-tech science fiction in Iron Man and The Avengers. He rejected the notion and said the creative team would hew closer to the "Jack Kirby/Stan Lee/Walt Simonson/J. Michael Straczynski" interpretation of Thor rather than focus on Thor as depicted in Norse mythology, while additionally affirming the Thor film would help familiarize audiences with the character.^[114] In March, it was reported that Penn had completed the first draft of the script, and that Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and Avengers comic-book writer Brian Michael Bendis had received copies.^[115] In July, Joss Whedon signed on to direct and replace Penn as the film's writer.^[116] On his desire to take on the film, he explained that the core of the movie was about "finding yourself from community" and the togetherness derived from a group that ultimately doesn't belong together.^[117]

When Whedon received Penn's draft, he told Feige he felt the studio did not "have anything" and they should "pretend this draft never happened".^[118] Part of Whedon's issue was the lack of character connections in Penn's draft, which necessitated Whedon to begin "at square one".^[99] Whedon went on to write a five-page treatment of his plan for the film, and created the tagline "Avengers: Some Assembly Required", a humorous play on the "Avengers Assemble" slogan from the comic books. Marvel quickly began working to hire Whedon to write and direct, only mandating that Loki be the antagonist, a battle featuring the Avengers and villains take place, and the film to be completed prior to its May 2012 release.^[118] The script would go through "a lot of insane iterations of what might be" according to Whedon. Whedon explained there was a point when it was not certain Johansson would star in the film, so he wrote pages featuring the Wasp,^[99] and wanted Zooey Deschanel to play the character.^[119] He also was "worried that one British character actor [Hiddleston] was not enough to take on Earth's mightiest heroes, and that we'd feel like we were rooting for the overdog", thus choosing to add Ezekiel Stane, Obadiah Stane's son, into a new draft. Once all of the actors were "locked in place the movie stayed on mission". Whedon noted that the characters used do not have the same issue, unlike the X-Men. He felt "these guys just don't belong together" before modeling their interactions based on the film The Dirty Dozen (1967). Whedon also referenced Dr. Strangelove (1964), The Abyss (1989), His Girl Friday (1940), and Black Hawk Down (2001). Whedon would ultimately share final screenplay credit with Penn, though Whedon noted he "fought" for sole credit and was "very upset about it". Penn felt the two "could have collaborated more, but that was not his choice. He wanted to do it his way, and I respect that".^[99]

Age of Ultron

In May 2012, after the successful release of the first Avengers film, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced a sequel was in development.^[120] Most of the film's cast members were under contract to potentially appear in the sequel; however, Robert Downey Jr. was not, as his four-picture deal with Marvel expired after Iron Man 3 (2013).^[121] By May 2013, Downey had entered negotiations to extend his contract with Marvel Studios and reprise his role as Iron Man in the film.^[122] A month later, Downey signed on to return for the then-untitled Avengers sequel, as well as a third Avengers film.^[123]

At the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International, Whedon was unsure about directing.^[124] However, in August 2012, Iger announced that Whedon would return to write and direct.^[125] Later in the month, Disney set a May 1, 2015, release date.^[126] At the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con International, Whedon announced the film would be subtitled Age of Ultron.^[127] Despite the subtitle, the film is not based on the comic book miniseries Age of Ultron (2013). Feige explained that they simply liked the title but the plot was taken from various Avengers story arcs.^[128] At the Hollywood premiere of Iron Man 3, Whedon said that he had completed a draft of the script, started the storyboard process, and met with actors. Whedon included a "brother/sister act" from the comic books,^[129] later revealed to be Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.^[130][131] His rationale for their inclusion was that "their powers are very visually interesting", with problems which Whedon "had on the first one" for strong powers; those powers are superspeed, and spells and telekinesis, respectively, which "they can do that will help sort of keep it fresh",^[132] though cautioned he was not throwing in more characters for the sake of doing that.^[133] Whedon stated that the twins, who do not approve of the Avengers, allowed him to add more conflict, noting "the Avengers are like a world power, and not everybody's on board with the Avengers coming in and starting fights, even in the name of justice".^[134] As Marvel Studios shared the film rights to Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch with 20th Century Fox, they had to avoid contradicting elements from Fox's X-Men films, Whedon introduced the two characters into the MCU completely based on his terms for the first time, allowing him to connect their origin stories and avoid the concept of mutants.^[134] Whedon enjoyed the storytelling opportunities from introducing a character with telepathic powers, explaining "it meant we could spend a little time inside the Avengers' heads—either their past or their impressions of what's going on, or their fears, or all of the above".^[134] Whedon added that Ultron's origin would differ from the comics, with Hank Pym not being involved in Ultron's creation. Whedon disclosed that Edgar Wright was using the character first in his film Ant-Man (2015), then in development. He also thought that Ultron needed to be conceived through the Avengers and since they already had Tony Stark and Bruce Banner on the team; it would not make sense to bring in a third scientist.^[135]

Casting continued into August 2013, with the announcement that James Spader would play the villain of the film, Ultron.^[136] That November Marvel confirmed that Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson would play the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, respectively.^[137] Taylor-Johnson had been in negotiations since as early as June,^{[138][139][140]} while Olsen's potential involvement was first reported in August.^[141][142] By the end of the year, Mark Ruffalo,^[143] Chris Evans,^[144] Samuel L. Jackson,^[145] Chris Hemsworth,^[146] Scarlett Johansson,^[147] Jeremy Renner,^[148] and Cobie Smulders^[149] were confirmed to be reprising their roles from the first film, and Don Cheadle, who portrayed James Rhodes in the Iron Man films, was joining.^[150] In the early months of 2014, Paul Bettany, who voiced J.A.R.V.I.S. in previous MCU films, was cast as the Vision.^[12] Whedon noted the diversity of the characters, explaining that "They're very disparate characters. The joy of the Avengers is they really don't belong in the same room. It's not like the X-Men, who are all tortured by the same thing and have similar costumes".^[151]

Feige revealed that Captain Marvel, who headlined her own MCU film in 2019, appeared in an early draft of the screenplay, but was removed since the character was not yet cast, saying, "We didn't want to introduce her fully formed flying in a costume before you knew who she was or how she came to be".^[1] Whedon shot visual effects plates for Captain Marvel to fly into Avengers Headquarters at the end of the film; those shots were instead repurposed for Wanda Maximoff.^[152] Feige also revealed that an early draft had Hulk's Quinjet detected near Saturn at the end of the film, but it was decided to keep it Earth-based and leave his fate ambiguous to dispel rumors that a film based on the "Planet Hulk" storyline was in development, which Marvel Studios had no plans to adapt at the time. Marvel later adapted elements of "Planet Hulk" in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), where Hulk retroactively landed in Sakaar after the events of Age of Ultron.^[153]

Captain America: Civil War

In March 2014, Anthony and Joe Russo confirmed that they had signed on to return as directors for a third Captain America film, with Evans as Captain America, Feige as producer, and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely as screenwriters.^[154][155] Markus and McFeely had been working on the screenplay since late 2013,^[156] while the Russo brothers began work in February 2014.^[157][158] In April 2014, Marvel announced a release date of May 6, 2016.^[159] In July, Markus and McFeely stated that they were midway through a first draft for the film, on which principal photography was expected to begin in April 2015.^[160]

By October, Robert Downey Jr. had entered final negotiations to reprise his role as Stark in the film. Downey was added for the film to adapt the 2006–07 "Civil War" comic book storyline written by Mark Millar, which pitted Iron Man against Captain America.^[161] At the end of the month, it was confirmed that Sebastian Stan would return as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier.^[162] A few days later, Marvel revealed that the film would be titled Captain America: Civil War, confirming Downey's appearance and announcing that Chadwick Boseman would appear in the film as T'Challa / Black Panther ahead of his own solo film.^[163][164] In November, Daniel Brühl joined the cast as Helmut Zemo, while Anthony Mackie was confirmed to return as Sam Wilson / Falcon.^[165][166] Following the November 2014 hacking of Sony Pictures' computers, emails between Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal and president Doug Belgrad were released stating that Marvel wanted to include Spider-Man, whose film rights are licensed to Sony, but talks between the studios were believed to have been terminated.^[167] However, by February 2015, the studios reached a licensing deal for the use of Spider-Man in an MCU film,^[168] indicated the character would appear in Civil War.^[169][170] The Russos stated they were lobbying for months to include the character in the film.^[171] In January 2015, the Russo brothers confirmed that Johansson would reprise her role in the film.^[172] Two months later, Renner was confirmed to be reprising his role.^[173] Additionally, Olsen revealed she would also reprise her role in the film.^[174] Feige also revealed that Hope van Dyne was in an original draft of the film, after receiving the Wasp costume at the end of Ant-Man, but was cut because "there are so many characters in Civil War that we didn't want to do her a disservice," saying Marvel was "saving" the character for a better environment to reveal van Dyne in the Wasp costume for the first time and see "her dynamic with Scott [Lang] in a way it could play out".^[175]

Anthony Russo stated that adapting the "Civil War" storyline was not always the intended storyline and direction for the film when the brothers initially signed on to return as directors.^[176] Markus expanded on this, saying the original concept for a third Captain America film "never got to draft", with Feige at some point telling the writing team to begin adapting "Civil War" around their original ideas. McFeely also added that, despite the shift in direction for the film, "The central theme, even the way Zemo is operating, are from that [early] iteration".^[177] McFeely said that the idea of basing a film on "Civil War" had "been on and off the table for a while" at Marvel Studios, explaining, "it's a challenge to do it and make sure that all the characters that we've established, and everyone's established in the MCU are serviced and sound correct. Because there's a difference between the characters in "Civil War", which was written in 2006, 2007. The MCU doesn't exist [when it was written]. There isn't a Robert Downey, Jr. or Chris Evans who has helped create the character[s] so we need to make sure that that template gets adjusted".^[178] Joe Russo added that the "essence" of "Civil War" was used, such as "the concept of registration" and the notion that heroes need to be either supervised being applicable. Anthony Russo further went on to comment that superhero registration could become a political issue, wanting to avoid that and instead "figure out very personal reasons why everyone's relationship to this idea of registration is going to become complicated", particularly by focusing on Steve and Bucky's.^[179]

Executives at Marvel Entertainment balked at the idea of Captain America and Iron Man coming to blows at the end of the film and wanted the Avengers to unite to fight Zemo and the super-soldiers at the Hydra base in Siberia instead. The Russos were not happy with this idea, with Joe Russo saying, "There's nothing interesting about that film. We're not here to make that movie. We're not interested in telling another superhero story". Feige supported the Russos, who were going to leave the film if the changes were mandated on them.^[180] This prompted Walt Disney Studios head Alan F. Horn to back the Russos with making the film as originally intended and lead to Marvel Studios to be placed from Marvel Entertainment into Walt Disney Studios in 2015.^[181]

Infinity War and Endgame

Thanos, a villain who covets the Infinity Stones, was introduced to the MCU in a brief appearance at the end of The Avengers. Many fans subsequently expected Thanos to be the antagonist of Age of Ultron.^[182] However, Joss Whedon explained that the character would not be the primary antagonist until a later film due to his power, opting to save him for "the big finale".^[183] Thanos appears at the end of Age of Ultron in another brief appearance, shown with the Infinity Gauntlet, a glove designed to hold the Infinity Stones.^[184]

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con

In July 2014, Feige said there were "some notions" as to where Marvel would want to take a third Avengers film, and the studio was aiming for three years between Age of Ultron in 2015 and a sequel.^[185] In October 2014, Marvel announced a two-part sequel to Age of Ultron titled Avengers: Infinity War. Part 1 was scheduled to be released on May 4, 2018, and Part 2 was scheduled for May 3, 2019.^[163][186] Whedon was "very doubtful" that he would be involved with the two films by January 2015.^[187]

The Russo brothers reached a deal by April 2015 to direct both parts of Avengers: Infinity War, after previously directing the MCU films Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War.^[188][189] A month later, Markus and McFeely had signed on to also return from the Captain America films, writing the screenplays for both parts.^[190] McFeely later recalled that the pair had started negotiating to write the two films without ever actually being asked to do so by Feige or Marvel.^[191] Anthony Russo described the two Avengers sequels as the culmination of all the MCU films since Iron Man, bringing an end to some things and beginning others.^[192] Marvel called this overall storyline "The Infinity Saga", comprising Phases One, Two, and Three of the MCU.^[193] In April 2016, Jon Favreau said he would executive produce the films after doing the same for the previous Avengers films and also directing the first two Iron Man films.^[194] Gunn also served as executive producer on the films, working with the Russos, Marvel, and Feige to ensure the Guardians of the Galaxy characters were "well taken care of" in the films.^[195][196] In March 2018, Disney moved the first film's United States release to April 27, 2018, so it would be released on the same weekend in the U.S. as in several international markets.^[197][198] That December, the release of the second film was changed to April 26, 2019.^[199] In July 2016, Marvel announced that Part 1 would simply be known as Avengers: Infinity War and Part 2 would be called the Untitled Avengers film until a title was chosen.^[200] By December 2018, the second film's title was revealed to be Avengers: Endgame.^[199]

In June 2013, Robert Downey Jr. signed on to return as Tony Stark / Iron Man for a third Avengers film,^[123] and Josh Brolin signed a multi-film deal the following May, to play Thanos.^[201] In July 2014, Feige stated that actors from previous MCU films were under contract to return to for a third Avengers film,^[185] with Jeremy Renner stating that September he signed on to reprise the role of Barton.^[202] After the announcement of Infinity War and Endgame, many established MCU actors were confirmed to be joining Downey and Brolin, including Hemsworth, Ruffalo, Evans, Johansson, Cheadle, Bettany, Olsen, and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Falcon.^[203] Infinity War also sees the Avengers unite with the Guardians of the Galaxy, including Karen Gillan as Nebula^[204] and Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket.^[203]

Additional actors reprising their roles in Infinity War from the various MCU franchises include Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange from Doctor Strange (2016), Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man from Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), and Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther from Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther,^[203] with Danai Gurira as Okoye from the latter. Sebastian Stan also appears as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier from the Captain America films.^[205] Jackson and Smulders also reprised their roles in uncredited cameos in the post-credits scene.^[206]

Actors who returned for Endgame include: Downey, Hemsworth, Ruffalo, Evans, Johansson,^[207] Cumberbatch,^[208] Cheadle,^[209] Holland,^[210] Boseman,^[211] Olsen,^[212] Mackie,^[213] Stan,^[214] Gillan,^[207] Cooper,^[215] and Brolin.^[216] Olsen was not contractually obliged to return due to Infinity War fulfilling her original three-film contract with Marvel, but Feige persuaded her to return in Endgame by pitching her the concept of the then-upcoming Disney+ series WandaVision (2021).^[217] They were also joined by Renner as Barton,^[207] Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne,^[218] Paul Rudd as Scott Lang,^[207] and Brie Larson as Carol Danvers.^[219]