Even earlier than the announcement that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I’d come to consider that Marvel Studios must do one thing radical with the franchise: scrap its plans for the subsequent Phase and adapt the Avengers: Twilight miniseries. Now, with RDJ again within the MCU fold, I’m much more constructive this could be the absolute best transfer, and I refuse to be satisfied in any other case.

Avengers: Twilight – written by Chip Zdarsky, with artwork by Daniel Acuña – is a six-issue miniseries depicting a darkish attainable future for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Marvel has produced some nice Avengers tales over the previous decade, however Twilight is indisputably among the finest. It hits each beat a traditional Avengers story must, and offering an emotionally resonant “ending” for the crew.

Reading again by way of the entire miniseries now, I’m extra positive than ever that it will make the proper continuation of the on-screen Avengers, and assist to solidify their cinematic legacy.

Marvel’s Dystopian “Final” Avengers Story Would Make The Perfect Sequel To “Endgame”

Avengers: Twilight #1-6 – Written By Chip Zdarsky; Art By Daniel Acuña

Avengers: Twilight has its share of thrilling inventive choices, however at its core is the usage of the head-in-a-jar trope for the long run Tony Stark, and the way it permits for him to be slowly drawn into the story. I instantly began to consider how this might serve to carry Robert Downey Jr. again to the franchise in some restricted capability; in fact, because it turned out, his function would not should be a cameo in any respect, because the actor dedicated to a full return to Avengers at this yr’s Comic-Con – besides, not in his acquainted function as Iron Man.

The reveal that Robert Downey Jr. would play Victor Von Doom, somewhat than Tony Stark, was meant to shock and excite followers, and whereas it did this to a sure diploma, it additionally evoked extra confusion – and even derision – than I feel Marvel anticipated. For the report, I’ve no downside with an actor, even the franchise’s most high-profile star, taking part in completely different roles inside the identical collection. That mentioned, if Downey Jr. had been to reprise his function as Iron Man, there could be no higher story than Avengers: Twilight for him to take action.

I feel followers who’re bothered by the concept of seeing RDJ on display screen, however not taking part in Tony Stark, will in the end agree with me. To the extent that the actor’s return as Doctor Doom may be criticized as “stunt casting,” Avengers: Twilight would supply essentially the most genuine, emotionally impactful various. While it’s realistically too late for Marvel Studios to change gears with its MCU plans now, within the spirit of the writer’s custom of asking “What-If?,” it’s value contemplating what might have been.

The Iron Man Story At The Heart Of “Avengers: Twilight” Would Be Perfect For Robert Downey Jr.’s Return

An Epic Tale Of Rebirth & Redemption

Adaptation is an endlessly tough enterprise; to a sure diploma, comedian guide motion pictures have been at their finest when remixing and reimagining traditional comedian guide tales loosely, permitting the live-action variations of their characters to develop their very own distinct types, whereas paying tribute to sure iconic concepts and tentpole moments. That mentioned, followers will at all times proceed to clamor for his or her favourite story arcs to be translated to the display screen with constancy, and I’m no exception. In this sense, I feel Avengers: Twilight is completely scripted for adaptation.

Chip Zdarsky’s story is ready in a darkish future, wherein the United States has lapsed into authoritarian management following a catastrophic defeat that led to the disbanding of the Avengers. It is a traditional story of the crew coming again collectively to face one final, best risk – made particularly extra tense by the truth that Tony Stark’s son James is a principal antagonist for a lot of the collection. Twilight is a redemption story for James, and for Tony, which is exactly what would make it an interesting follow-up to the Infinity Saga for Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel Studios.

The arc of the collection consciously parallels the origin story of the Avengers in a number of methods, and it additionally comprises echoes of Avengers: Endgame, explicit in the truth that the crux of the story’s revolution entails one ultimate sacrifice by Tony Stark. I feel most MCU followers could be enthralled, and in the long run, glad, by the story of Avengers: Twilight, at first due to the emotional depth with which it handles precisely what makes the crew Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

“Avengers: Twilight” Would Translate Easily To The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Give Fans The Iron Man Reprise They Want

There are, in fact, sure modifications that adapting Avengers: Twilight would necessitate. Notably, the mom of Tony Stark’s son within the comedian was the Wasp, Janet Van Dyne; this must be modified to Pepper Potts. Naturally, Stark’s MCU daughter Morgan would exchange James because the Avengers’ adversary, and eventual ally. Still, for essentially the most half, the collection maps remarkably properly on to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. An grownup Kamala Khan performs a pivotal function, and variations of Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye, and Hulk all characteristic prominently.

I might even be remiss if I did not dedicate a while to celebrating Daniel Acuña’s artwork, which emphasizes the weathered, weary nature of the aged Avengers, together with the ominous, bleak ambiance of the story’s fascistic dystopian setting. In each its story and its visible aesthetic, Avengers: Twilight excels at delivering one thing that’s directly acquainted and recent; that’s what I search for in any form of iterative storytelling, whether or not on the web page, or on display screen, and that’s the reason I might love for Twilight to be tailored.

I’m able to be pleasantly shocked by Marvel Studios’ revamped plans for Avengers 5 and 6, if they’ll ship that feeling of acquainted freshness. In a manner, Robert Downey Jr. taking part in Doctor Doom is an try to do that, however I am unable to shake the sense that the actor’s return is a missed alternative to inform yet another definitive Tony Stark story. Admittedly, I might solely need this if it was assured to high the impression of Tony’s Endgame sacrifice – and I feel solely Twilight could be able to approaching that.

By Adapting “Avengers: Twilight,” Marvel Could Give The MCU’s Avengers The Ending They Deserve

A Dark, But Fitting, Final Ride For Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

By design, Avengers: Twilight gives a definitive ending to the crew’s story. While this relegates it to an alternate continuity story within the grand scheme of Marvel Comics’ huge Multiverse, it’s one other a part of what I might argue makes it interesting as the premise for a future Avengers movie. Since the MCU turned a cultural phenomenon, and an enormous business success, Marvel has begun to take a look at it as an infinite, ongoing saga, similar to within the comics. As nice as this appears in idea, it merely is not sustainable.

Avengers: Endgame might not have been conceived of as the ultimate Avengers film, however it was a definitive conclusion to the story as much as that time. The set-up and pay-off of these early MCU phases alike shall be tough to high, because the final half-decade of Marvel motion pictures has already made clear. If Marvel needed to offer emotionally-resonant conclusions for the remainder of its authentic Avengers roster, on the extent of Tony Stark’s Endgame exit, they may do no higher than Avengers: Twilight.

If Not Source Material, “Avengers: Twilight” Should Provide Inspiration For The MCU’s Future

If You Read One Avengers Story, Make It This One

Realistically, I perceive that Marvel is not going to throw out all its MCU plans with a purpose to adapt Avengers: Twilight, however I am unable to emotionally shake the sensation that it will be the appropriate transfer. Few Avengers tales previously a number of years have resonated with me as a reader fairly like Twilight, and once I take into consideration what course I want to see Marvel motion pictures go in transferring ahead, I’m hard-pressed to consider a greater attainable arc than the one delivered by Chip Zdarksy and Daniel Acuña.

What I can actually hope for is that, if not adapting the miniseries straight, the upcoming Avengers movies can seize the spirit of Twilight; its desperation, its drama, and by the top, its renewal of hope. If the subsequent MCU overarching saga can ship these issues for me, I’ll be glad. In the meantime, I might extremely advocate to all Avengers followers, particularly these trying to parlay their MCU fandom into studying comics, testing Avengers: Twilight, and interested by what they might most wish to witness Marvel do with the characters subsequent.

Avengers: Twilight

In a gleaming new world of prosperity, Captain America isn’t any extra. But Steve Rogers nonetheless exists, floating by way of an America the place freedom is an phantasm, the place THE AVENGERS are strangers and his buddies are lengthy useless. But is the Dream? How do you assemble Avengers in a world that doesn’t need them?