In a newly published interview with USA TODAY, Avengers: Endgame co-director Anthony Russo claimed that their latest film was the first Marvel movie where they weren’t thinking about the future of the franchise.
But whether or not the Russo Brothers were taking into account what’s next for the MCU, the Avengers: Infinity War sequel still leaves the franchise’s next era with a whole load of messy consequences to contend with. And in all likelihood, we’ll see these repercussions explored to some extent in the upcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home.
As those who’ve seen Endgame will know, the victims of Thanos’ snap were resurrected half a decade later, meaning that the world has aged an extra five years without them. Spider-Man, for instance, is looking as young as ever, as is his best friend Ned Leeds. And going by Far From Home’s first trailer, MJ, Betty Brant and Flash Thompson are also still in Peter’s grade.
So, does that mean all of these character just so happened to be among the half of the population that died in the snap? Well, according to Joe Russo, the answer is yes.
“Yes, those people whom was lucky to survive the snap are 5 years older than the people who just got back,” Russo explained in a recent Q&A. “The reason Spider-Man saw his friend again in high school at the end was simply because his friends were unfortunately also dusted like Spider-Man was. Of course, there are people in his grade whom didn’t die and they are probably already in colleges by now.”
Okay, so maybe it’s a little contrived that all of the main Spider-Man: Homecoming kids were among the 50% that perished in the Decimation. But for what’s worth, Joe went on to hint that future movies will still address the complications created by the snap.
“To those dusted people, they had no conscious in these past 5 years,” Russo said. “They didn’t know what happened. It’s as if they had just woke up from a long sleep. The only one who was aware about how many years has passed was Doctor Strange, because he has already seen that when he was time mediating on Titan. Parker’s reunion with Ned was a touching moment. There are also people whom indeed moved on but suddenly were reunited with their lost ones. Yeah it’s a complicated world now.”
The five-year time jump in Avengers: Endgame certainly leaves the MCU with a lot tricky consequences to attend to, but hopefully Marvel will use this an opportunity to explore some interesting new territory, rather trying to brush aside all the messiness. Either way, we’ll get our first real look at life after the second snap when Spider-Man: Far From Home hits theaters on July 2nd.