Avengers: Infinity War has left all of us, fans and critics alike, wondering how 2019’s Avengers 4 might resolve the conflict between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Thanos, the universe’s toughest villain. Fortunately for us, plenty people from Reddit, Twitter, and other areas of the internet have come together to send out some interesting theories. Be forewarned that spoilers are on the way for Infinity War!

Let’s take a look at several different fan theories on how Avengers 4 might come together, including one major Captain Marvel theory that could explain everything (page 5).

Ant-Man and the quantum realm

Ant-Man and the Wasp is next up on the list for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there is one big way in which some fans think the movie might tie in with Infinity War and Avengers 4. Scott Lang was suspiciously absent from battle in the most recent Avengers film, thanks to the fact that he had cut a deal and was under house arrest for his role in Captain America: Civil War. But a key plot point that Ant-Man and the Wasp may touch on is further exploring the quantum realm.

We know that Lang went to the quantum realm and returned at the end of his first movie, setting the stage for more exploration. Could the quantum realm be used to jump to different points in time? Actress Evangeline Lilly teased more in an interview with Vanity Fair, saying: “If we do succeed in Ant-Man and the Wasp, then that does open a whole entire new multiverse to enter into and play around in.”

Next: Did Loki actually survive?

Loki is alive

One really cool (but probably false) fan theory about Loki is that he actually survived his apparent death once again. In the opening scene of Infinity War, Loki attempts to jump Thanos by unleashing the Hulk. When that fails, the god of mischief gives it one more shot before Thanos chokes the life out of him. But what if the Hulk was actually just another Loki trick? What if the character that Heimdall sent to Earth was actually Loki in disguise?

It would explain why Bruce Banner seemed to share a recollection of Thanos and the danger he represents after changing back from being the Hulk. It would also explain why he had such a problem changing back into the Hulk at later points in the film. But this theory opens up a lot of cans of worms, not to mention the question of where the Hulk actually went.

Next: A second Infinity Gauntlet?

The multiple universe theory

This theory ties in with the quantum realm, but there could be other explanations as well. In their most recent season, Agents of SHIELD introduced the theory of multiple universes — or at least different timelines. When the team traveled forward 80 years into a dystopian future, it was suggested that this was just one possible outcome based on several key events. The season finale proved that the destruction of planet Earth was an avoidable event.

So is there another timeline where events may have happened differently? Could Wong, assuming he made the cut from Thanos’ finger snap, help send our heroes to a parallel universe? Some set photos from Avengers 4 appear to show characters in old costumes at the Battle of New York, including Loki with what appears to be the Tesseract.

This suggests that maybe someone will travel to a separate timeline with the purpose of collecting the Infinity Stones and creating a second Infinity Gauntlet to take on Thanos. Not a bad idea, if it’s possible.

Next: Did they really die?

None of those people really died

This is part of the multiverse theory, but it’s an interesting expansion. In this theory, none of the characters that disappeared at the end of Infinity War were actually killed but instead just transported to a different universe. Because of this, the Avengers simply need to be able to get the Infinity Stones back to be able to merge the two universes once again.

Another similar theory is that all the souls went inside the Soul Stone, and that one has some legs. When we see Thanos conversing with Gamora at the very end, notice that the surrounding color is orange. Director Joe Russo confirmed the theory that Gamora is inside the Soul Stone, but no one knows yet what happened to everybody else.

Next: How Captain Marvel could be important

Captain Marvel and the Ego Stone

One theory is that the introduction of Captain Marvel, who was teased in the after-credits scene and will have her own movie in the Spring of 2019, will bring the seventh Infinity Stone: The Ego Stone. One Reddit user pieced together a few theories to suggest that Captain Marvel could use the Ego Stone to hold the two separate universes together, and that Ant-Man could use the quantum realm to travel between them.

Ant Man can travel inside the Soul Stone retrieve Gamora and once they are out Captain Marvel will not have to hold the alternate universes into one anymore because the alternate universes will come back to one … Because Thanos technically did not give ‘a soul for a soul’ if Gamora is retrieved according to the Soul Stone … Once the universe is back to one, the Soul stone will go back to its planet of origin where the Red Skull will protect and watch over it.

Interesting, even if it’s a bit of a reach. There’s no doubting that it would be fun to see this one play out on the big screen.

Next: A dream come true

Tony Stark’s vision becomes reality

A lot of theories involving the end of Avengers 4 also includes time travel, but this one requires you only to remember back to a previous movie. You’ll recall that at the beginning of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tony Stark had a terrifying vision of the future. This vision would shape all the upcoming events, thanks to Stark’s fear of the nightmare coming true. He saw himself, alive and on a rock somewhere in outer space, surrounded by a whole bunch of dead Avengers.

The theory is that Stark’s dream comes true. When Doctor Strange gave up the Time Stone to save Tony’s life in Infinity War, it was because he saw into the future and knew the one way in which Thanos was defeated. It means that Stark needs to be alive if they’re to win the long game. However, the rest of the original Avengers don’t necessarily need to make it out of Avengers 4 alive, do they? It would be a dark ending, but it’s only a theory.

Next: The ultimate sacrifice

Captain America makes a sacrifice

This theory goes somewhat along with the idea that the Avengers have to travel within the multiverse to collect the six Infinity Stones. We know that they can easily gather the Space Stone, Mind Stone, and Time Stone, because all three are on Earth. The Reality and Power Stones are a bit more tricky, but Thor definitely knows where they are hiding. The problem here is how the Avengers could collect the Soul Stone. Aren’t Gamora and Thanos the only ones who know where it is?

Assume for a moment that they can figure it out. How would they even go about collecting it? Recall that Red Skull explains the Soul Stone requiring a sacrifice. The theory goes that Captain America sacrifices himself so that Tony Stark can collect the Soul Stone, making himself powerful enough to go up against Thanos. How horrifying would that be to see on screen?

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