Classic Marvel storylines already hinted at for Phase 4 - DigitalSpy.com

His being reduced to a pile of ashes at the end of Infinity War notwithstanding, Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes – aka the Winter Soldier – has long been expected to take up the mantle of Captain America if/when Chris Evans finally decides that he's tired of subsisting on a diet of broccoli and turkey breasts and spending 23 hours a day in the gym.

There's definitely precedent. In the comics, when Steve Rogers was shot dead by a hypnotised Sharon Carter (he was actually 'unmoored in time', but never mind), Bucky stepped forward to take up the mantle/shield of his best pal. This lasted even beyond Steve's inevitable return, until it was Bucky's turn to be presumed dead, at which point he returned to his role as the Winter Soldier.

Bucky as Captain America

©  Marvel Comics

The MCU has trolled us with the idea Bucky becoming Cap several times, including showing him wielding the iconic shield when he fought alongside Steve against Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War. Replacing one of its heroes would be new territory for the MCU, and unlike in the comics, if it did happen it would be unlikely that Evans would be waiting in the wings to return at a later date.

Sam Wilson (Falcon) as Captain America

©  Marvel Comics

And if Stan isn't up for it, there is another prime candidate. Sam Wilson – aka Falcon – was the most recent character to replace Steve as Captain America, and we'd be more than happy to see the charming Anthony Mackie take a bigger role in the MCU.

Asgard reborn

Asgard's destruction comes built into Norse myth thanks to Ragnarok, and in the comics that eventually came around thanks, naturally, to the actions of Loki. Later, Thor returned to life and began searching for his fellow Asgardians, who were living on Earth as mortals, unaware of their pasts.

The glorious return of the Asgardians included the recreation of Asgard, but instead of its usual location as another realm floating amid the stars, it instead ended up floating above the prairie outside a small town called Broxton.

Asgard over Broxton

©  Marvel Comics

The MCU has already reached the stage when Asgard has been destroyed. That occurred in Thor: Ragnarok, you'll remember, when Loki resurrected the fire giant Surtur to destroy the Asgardians' home and defeat the death goddess Hela. And the first Thor film saw the god of thunder causing chaos in the streets of Puente Antiguo, New Mexico – a town very much like Broxton as portrayed in the comics.

Even if Asgard doesn't end up floating over Oklahoma, the surviving Asgardians (the ones who weren't killed by Hela and managed to escape from Thanos) will need a place to live, and Earth has plenty of superpowered-fish-out-of-water potential.


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