The first trailer for Avengers: Infinity War has dropped and given fans a good look at what’s in store for our disbanded group of heroes. In the trailer, we see most of the heroes from the films engaging in battle all over the Earth but none of the heroes from the Netflix series make an appearance. There is a possibility that Marvel is just saving these heroes for the next trailer like they did with Spider-Man’s introduction in the second Captain America: Civil War trailer. However, it is more likely that the characters from Netflix will not make an appearance in the film, and here’s why.
Ever since the film and television departments of Marvel were split we have seen less and less of a connection between them. For example, The Punisher, which was released just last month, had no connections to the greater MCU aside from Karen Page. Also, Tony Stark makes no attempt to recruit the Defenders to join his team in Captain America: Civil War. Lastly, the Netflix heroes have not been required to sign nor do they mention the Sokovia Accords in the shows. Avengers: Infinity War would be the perfect time to crossover the film universe with the Netflix universe, even if it is just a small cameo for the Defenders. However, if there are no cameos, then we need the events of the film to play a part in the upcoming seasons of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage. Considering that the events of the first Avengers film played a major part in the first seasons of these Netflix shows, the lack of a cameo in the film or mention of the recent extraterrestrial attack in the upcoming seasons would further confirm that the films and the Netflix shows are in separate universes.
The trailer also shows viewers that at least part of the battle with Thanos and his Black Order will take place in New York City. We know that Peter Parker/Spider-Man lives in Queens, Doctor Strange lives in Greenwich Village, Luke Cage lives in Harlem, and Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Frank Castle/Punisher, Danny Rand/Iron Fist and Jessica Jones reside in or near Hell’s Kitchen. All of these characters, aside from Peter, live on the island of Manhattan which is also the location of the former Avengers Tower and where Thanos’ circular ship appears in the sky. Considering that this is the mother of all battles for the Avengers and that part of it takes place in New York, it would not make sense for the Defenders not to offer their help during this crisis.
Surely, Marvel has many surprises in store for fans when Avengers: Infinity War releases next May, but it’s likely that the Defenders will not be one of those surprises. This would be a shame as it would surely make the film that much better. And don’t even get me started on characters from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Inhumans, Runaways, and Cloak & Dagger. Luckily, Agent Carter is set in the past, so it firmly fits in the same universe as the films. Maybe fans will get to see a crossover in the Untitled fourth Avengers film. If not then it will only solidify the theory that the Marvel television shows take place in an alternate universe. Only time will tell I suppose.
Avengers: Infinity War is scheduled to be released in the United States on April 27, 2018.
Would you like for the Defenders and the Punisher to show up in Avengers: Infinity War? Leave your comments below!