What to Expect from MCU Phase 4... Which Avengers Are Gone For Good

Summer 2019 marked the end of Phase 3 in The MCU Universe on a bitter-sweet note. We were first given Avengers: Endgame, with the remaining Avengers going on an all-out battle against Thanos to reverse the snap.

In the process, we said our final goodbyes to some beloved MCU heroes including Iron Man, Black Widow, and Captain America. Weeks later, we were given the sequel to 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter Parker adjusts to life after the events of Endgame, and notably to life without his mentor “Mr.Stark.”

While we experience no significant losses in terms of heroes, Homecoming does leave fans with quite the cliffhanger as Peter’s alter-ego is exposed to the world by the treacherous Mysterio (this post-credits scene also has an unexpected cameo by J.K Simmons reprising J. Jonah Jameson.)

As 2020’s lineup of MCU flicks is well on its way, fans are wondering if Phase 4 will bring back any of our fallen heroes... and which are gone for good.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3

The next Guardians installment isn’t set to release until 2022 thanks to a sudden change in directors (welcome back, James Gunn). While the delay is frustrating for enthusiastic fans of the series, here are some spoilers on what heroes are due back in the film.

Though Thanos sacrifices Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War to obtain the soul stone, an alternate reality Gamora emerges in Endgame and ultimately leaves to wander through space after the Thanos of her world is destroyed.

The last we hear of her is from Peter Quill “Star Lord,” who locates her through The Guardians' ship and embarks on a mission through space to find her. But does this mean she’ll be returning in Volume:3?

Yes, it does indeed. The official news was delivered by Zoe Saldana herself who stated she was excited to be reunited with Gunn in the following Guardians installment.

The bigger question is, seeing as her loyalties were split between Thanos and The Avengers in Endgame; will she be returning as a hero or an unexpected villain?

While Hemsworth will be reprising his role as the hammer-handling Asgardian God in 2021’s Thor: Love and Thunder, it’s also been confirmed that he'll be joining the rest of the Guardians cast for Volume 3. So for those of us weeping tears over the heroes that gave their permanent farewell in Endgame, there’s the consolation of a lot of Thor to come!

Black Widow:

Another teary Endgame departure came when Black Widow sacrificed herself to spare her lifelong friend, Hawkeye. While she perished in a similar fashion to Gamora in Infinity War, there’s been no talks of this character returning the way Gamora did.

What is confirmed and highly anticipated by fans is the standalone filler between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War— Black Widow. The first installment in Phase 4, Black Widow will explore the origin story of Natasha Romanoff as she’s faced with finding redemption for her past crimes. But given her fate in the events of Endgame, this might be the last we see of her.

J.A.R.V.I.S/ Vision:

While love-interest Scarlett Witch is set to return alongside Doctor Strange in the first MCU horror installment, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Vision has not been speculated to be in any Phase 4 films. Considering that only those who were disintegrated by the snap were brought back in Endgame, it's safe to assume Vision will remain in the MCU graveyard alongside his creator, Tony Stark.

Jane Foster Thor: Love and Thunder

During the post-credits scene of 2013’s Thor: The Dark World, fans are given a gratifying and passionate embrace between Thor and his one and only love, Jane Foster. Then, this budding romance is abruptly written-off in Avengers: Age of Ultron, leaving us conflicted on what to make of Foster’s departure from the MCU.

Many speculations came about, including that Natalie Portman was far too busy working on other projects to reprise her role a third time. Nevertheless, the lingering question remained from loyal fans of the character: will Jane Foster ever return? Yes. During 2019’s Comic-Con, an official statement was made that Portman would be reprising her role as Jane Foster in 2021’s Thor: Love and Thunder.

Even more shocking, it was revealed that she would be assuming the role of "Lady Thor." Tessa Thompson was also announced to return as Valkyrie, who last we saw, was appointed the ruler of New Asgard.

This trio is set to cause thunder in Asgard once summer 2021 hits!