The second Avengers: Infinity War trailer has arrived, and with it, further details on what to expect from the epic hero team-up.
When the first trailer for Infinity War dropped, several moments got us hyped. Now, we have a little more context for what is going down when our favorite heroes return to the big screen.
Thanos and Gamora’s backstory
As we learned all the way back in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, Gamora was originally a Daughter of Thanos. Not biologically, of course. No. Thanos’ acquisition of Gamora for his “family” was far more… genocidal.
After wiping out the entire population of Gamora’s planet, Thanos took Gamora away with him, and trained her to become one of his most deadly assassins.
It seems as though we will be flashing back to that moment at some point during Infinity War. Gamora, after all, is the one highlighting just what Thanos is truly capable of. It makes sense that we should be privy to the destruction he can sow, even without the Infinity Stones.
Thor’s… axe?
Mjölnir, Thor’s trusty hammer, was one of the casualties of Ragnarok. Destroyed by Thor’s sister, Hela, he remained without a weapon through the rest of the movie — though, arguably, he didn’t really need it, because, well. God of Thunder.
In this Infinity War trailer, we see several flashes of his newest weapon: an axe. It is likely that the weapon will be used to channel his powers, rather than allow them to continue to run wild. If Thor joins the end battle in Wakanda, he’ll need to have better accuracy, so as to not take out their many, many, many allies.
Teen Groot, per some early toy releases, will have a hand in helping Thor create his new weapon. Could we see it forged in a dying star, much in the same way Mjölnir was?
Wakanda Forever
It was recently revealed that the entirety of Infinity War’s third act will take place in Wakanda. It features heavily throughout the trailer, from Shuri analyzing Vision, to the final battle.
As we learned in Black Panther, Wakanda is significantly advanced from the rest of the world, in respect to their technology. So, we should expect upgrades to equipment and weapons, as soon as Shuri gets her hands on everyone.
We know, at least, that Steve will have a new Wakandan shield. But is it possible that he could have been given a boost through some other Wakandan inventions or even the heart-shaped herb? Steve stops Thanos with significant effort in this trailer, yes, but the latter is already in possession of (at least) two Infinity Stones at this point in time. Looking back at the comics, Steve’s match-ups with Thanos have historically never ended well.
Magic showdown
Doctor Strange introduced magic into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a big way. Since then, we’ve seen Strange’s abilities on display in other movies, most recently Thor: Ragnarok.
But in Infinity War, if the editing is to be trusted, he appears to have met his match in Ebony Maw, a member of Thanos’ Black Order. As Doctor Strange is the current owner of the Time Stone, encased within the Eye of Agamotto, it is likely that Ebony Maw has come to reclaim it for Thanos.
That could leave his fate uncertain, depending on how far Ebony Maw is willing to go to get the stone from Strange. He is a formidable force and genuine threat to Thanos’ plans, after all.
Soul Stone?
The one thing we don’t have a clearer idea of the location of is the Soul Stone. Initial theories, due to the heavy inclusion of Wakanda, suggested that the stone might reside there. However, it has since been revealed by the Russo Brothers that Wakanda will serve as the last stand against Thanos claiming the Mind Stone from within Vision.
The Soul Stone, thus far, has been the most elusive. It could scupper Thanos’ plans to possess all of them if its location is not revealed in this movie. Either way, Thanos will be the most formidable threat the Avengers (and friends) have faced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far. Thanos might not need that final stone to achieve his ends.