Avengers: Endgame is being plugged as the grand finale to the first decade of the MCU – which we’re now retroactively calling the Infinity Saga – but it’s actually Spider-Man: Far From Home that will officially be the final film in Phase Three. This is similar to how Ant-Man ended Phase Two after Avengers: Age of Ultron. In this case, though, June’s web-slinging sequel might prove a more significant installment as it could tease the next major villain of the MCU.
That’s what insider Daniel Richtman is theorizing, anyway. The scoopster shared his thoughts on Twitter that Far From Home’s post-credits scene could hint at what’s coming in Phase Four to fill the void that Thanos will leave when he’s defeated in Endgame. And he thinks there’s only one logical assumption given the film: Norman Osborn!
Can not wait for the AFTER-CREDITS scenes in Spider-Man: Far From Home cuz they'll give us the first hint towards which goal the MCU will go after Thanos. Sknce it's Spidey only one option makes sense…
Norman Osborn and The Dark Avengers!
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) April 20, 2019
So far, moviegoing audiences have gotten to know Osborn’s Green Goblin alter ego pretty well, but in the comics he’s also been pitched as something of the Lex Luthor to the Avengers’ Justice League, a powerful businessman able to use his influence and savvy to be a hugely dangerous foe for the team. Memorably, he even managed to get his own version of Avengers sanctioned. Made up of supervillains, these were known as the Dark Avengers, with Osborn himself as Iron Patriot.
Last year, Richtman reported that Marvel had asked Sony for the use of Osborn in the MCU, which caused the planned Silver & Black movie to be cancelled as the script featured the Green Goblin as its main villain. Richtman theorized at the time that the studio had big plans for the character and it seems he still believes this is the likeliest option.
This assumes that Marvel wants to jump into another heavy story arc, though, despite the movies we know are on the way – The Eternals, Shang-Chi, Doctor Strange 2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – sounding more standalone in nature. Maybe FFH‘s post-credits scene will simply tease what’s to come in Homecoming 3 instead. And if that’s Osborn, then that’s exciting enough.
Spider-Man: Far From Home swings into cinemas this July.