TCTTS said:
The fact that the writers are saying the tone/vibe switches so much from Infinity War to A4 tells me we're likely getting a cliffhanger, but not in the traditional sense. You're right, I doubt it's like Deathly Hollows or The Matrix sequels where its basically one movie told over five hours or whatever. But if I had to guess, IW is more of a "traditional" (albeit massive) action/heist blockbuster, but then A4 is going to be some trippy time travel thing. And if they go that route, I'm betting IW ends with our heroes (or at least a fraction of them) finding themselves displaced to another time/year, we get just enough of a glimpse as to where they are / the pickle they're in, and then bam - cut to black, roll credits.
Here's a thought that just occurred to me. What if Thanos essentially wins and the next phase (kicking off with Avengers 4) has the various Avengers scattered across space and time, sometimes in mismatched pairs a la Ragnarok?
Would roll like this: the Avengers manage to deal Thanos a setback, but not defeat him. Say he ends up short a couple of Infinity Stones but manages to conquer Earth. In the battle, some Avengers are killed and most of the rest are scattered across space and time.
The next phase involves a combination of things. One is new heroes rising on Earth, and those still on Earth fighting Thanks and his minions (Black Panther 2, Dr Strange 2, a new Captain America, etc.).
Second is that Earth's peril calls Captain Marvel back home (Avengers 4).
Third is the scattered Avengers trying to get home to the fight, gather Infinity Stones, recruit Allies, etc. (Guardians 3 with Iron Man, Widow and Hulk, Hawkeye and Ant Man, etc... Pairings just at random, not predictions).
Biggest problem with this is the Homecoming sequel. I don't see Sony getting to make a movie with Spidey strewn across the universe or something. He needs to be back in high school trying to live a normal life for that movie to work.
Anyway, Avengers 5 culminates with the reformed team liberating Earth.