In modern times, its uncommon for films to keep too much secret. With that in mind, its almost miraculous that with only a few months until the fourth Avengers film arrives, very little has been officially announced. However, online detectives have pored over evidence to come up with an interesting theory – that the next film with centre around time travel.
Set photos showing the Avengers wearing costumes and haircuts that point to previous films (Captain America in an old uniform, Thor with pre-Ragnarok hair) suggest either flashbacks or that our heroes go back in time to try and undo Thanos master plan. Photos showing actors wearing mysterious devices on their wrists seems to back that theory up.
So, assuming the film is about time travel, would they be the first to use that method to save the day? Unsurprisingly, the answer is no. Movie history is full of heroes who used time travel to right some wrongs, but what dos and donts can Tony Stark and friends learn from the past? We look at some of these movies for answers…
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Superman (1978)
The first superhero blockbuster changed the way we looked at comic book movies forever. Christopher Reeve became The Man Of Steel in a performance so great it set the bar for every actor who followed him. In the finale of his first appearance in the blue and red suit, he prevents Lois Lane from dying by flying so fast the Earth spins backwards and reversing time. The ending has been a subject of debate for years by scientists who point out the rotation of the Earth has no relation to time travel. So, its unlikely directors The Russo Brothers will be influenced by it, and even if they did, the speediest member of The Avengers, Quicksilver, died in Age of Ultron.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Hugh Jackmans Wolverine goes back in time by transporting his consciousness into his 70s self to avoid the near-extinction of mutants in the future. The X-Men will be able to enter the Avengers Universe with the recent purchase of Fox by Disney, but with everything going on in the current storyline its unlikely a whole new group of characters will be introduced at this juncture.
Its also likely the gang will want a slightly less volatile time traveller than Logan!
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
While not a superhero, Edge of Tomorrow is based on the illustrated light novel All You Need Is Kill which was also adapted into a graphic novel.
Tom Cruises lead learns to fight by reliving the same day up until the point he is killed, living longer the better he gets. A time loop is certainly something the MCU has explored before, with Doctor Stranges Time Stone being used by Thanos in Infinity War to undo Visions sacrifice. Its possible the stone may play a part in Avengers 4s conclusion, although they might want to act more heroically than Cruises cowardly Army Major who starts the film in an office job, and is reluctant to fight.
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Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
A time travel element was brought into this dour crossover, when Ezra Millers Flash warns Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) about the future, before realising hes gone back too far.
Given the film was dreadful and this odd plot point may go unresolved (at least on screen), DC seem to have given rivals Marvel a lesson in what not to do with time travel.
Back To The Furure (1985)
While not based on a comic book, Back To The Future is the seminal time travel adventure, and even gets a tribute in the Marvel Universe. In Black Panther, Letitia Wrights Shuri gives TChalla (Chadwick Boseman) self tying shoes, like that old American movie that their father used to watch.
So, should The Avengers follow Marty McFlys lead? While Shuri has the kind of resources and knowledge that Doc Brown could only dream of, Christopher Lloyds scientist warns Marty about meeting alternate versions of yourself. In Back To The Future Part 2, he says meeting your future self could result in two outcomes – either they would go into shock and pass out, or cause a time paradox that would destroy the universe. Neither would be particularly handy if The Avengers were to drive back into the final scenes of Infinity War.
Also, even with half the team depleted, fitting them all into a Delorean would be a bit of a squeeze!
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