Hey, what's on May 6? Final exams? Oh no, I've got to get my priorities straight -- "Captain America: Civil War" hits the big screen on that day!
I have to be honest: when I first heard about the premise of this movie, I thought it was stupid. I used to think that since there are so many Avengers in a movie that is supposed to be about Steve Rogers/Captain America, it might as well be renamed "Avengers 2.5." But back in November when the first trailer was released, I had an immediate change of heart. A change of heart so dramatic that I watched it at least a hundred times in a row on the night it was released. Then came the teaser that was released on Superbowl Sunday and the trailer that was released a couple of weeks ago. After I watched each of the three previews for the first time, I became more and more excited.
So far, we know that the movie picks up right where "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" left off. The basic gist includes the revived friendship of Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers and the rise of the Superhuman Registration Act that leads to the division of the Avengers. But the trailers can only tell us so much about what's actually going to happen. Having said that, I have some questions that I will be looking for answers to when I finally get to watch one of the most anticipated movies of the year.
Now, before you read on, I must warn you that there will be plenty of Marvel Cinematic Universe spoilers. I am a huge fan of these movies and I may go on blabbering.
Where does Bucky Barnes stand in the beginning of the film?
At the end of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," Bucky Barnes finally realizes that he has been fighting his best friend that he has known since before World War II, Steve Rogers. He pulls his long lost buddy out of the river that he fell in from the helicarrier, and then walks away into the distance.
In the previews of "Captain America: Civil War," we find Bucky held captive in a couple of different places. In one of the previews, we find him in a remote island prison. In the other preview, we find him in a building that appears to be in some discreet location (I'm curious to know how he ended up in either of these facilities). When he is in the latter location, he is found by Rogers, who asks if he remembers him. Bucky responds by saying that Rogers' mother's name was Sarah, and that he used to wear newspapers in his shoes, which makes Rogers attempt a grin. Through this scene, we get the idea that the two will be friends again. It is said that Civil War will have a huge focus on this friendship.
Steve also tells Bucky that he is "wanted." I wonder what ultimately ends up happening to him in this film, considering the government does go after him as seen in the trailer. My prediction is that whatever does happen, it is part of the reason for the rise of the Superhuman Registration Act, which I will talk about next.
What leads to the formation of the Superhuman Registration Act?
In the second trailer, General Ross (wow, it's been a while since we've seen him) reminds Steve Rogers of his previous battles in New York ("The Avengers"), Washington DC ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier"), and Sokovia ("Avengers: Age of Ultron"). He informs him that the team can no longer operate unsupervised and a system of accountability is being formed. To clarify, this system would determine only the most appropriate situations to call in the services of the Avengers.
However, in the premise of the film, it is said that "another" incident has resulted in collateral damage leading to the rise of this system. This leads me to wonder if there are any major events of rising action that occur before the meeting with General Ross or if it is mainly because of those three previously mentioned battles.
If there is such an event, I would think it could involve Bucky. With Bucky on the run from the government and Captain America trying to protect him, this could be a possible cause. I also believe it could involve one of the main super villains of the film, which I will discuss later on.
How is Black Panther put into this film? What role will he play?
There will be a variety of new Marvel Cinematic Universe characters in this film, with T'Challa/Black Panther being one of them. Considering that he is making his debut in "Captain America: Civil War" instead of his own stand alone film, how will he be put into the conflicts of this plot?
It looks as though Bucky will play a major role in his emergence. In the trailers, Black Panther is seemingly in a feud with him as we see Black Panther kicking Bucky across the face. We also see Black Panther running Bucky down while he is on a motorcycle as well as a fist fight on a rooftop. My prediction is that Bucky has started the mess and affected Black Panther in some way. Perhaps he has stolen something from him at his home in Wakanda or he has hurt someone meaningful to him. Of course, since Bucky is friends with Captain America, we will be seeing Black Panther in Iron Man's corner.
I have noticed new suits on Iron Man, War Machine, and Ant-Man. What is new about these suits?
Wow! I have to tell you, I'm really digging the new Iron Man and War Machine suits by the looks of them. These new suits have to be my new favorite ones seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, by far. There are also some upgrades in Ant-Man's suit, which appears to have more armor on it. I'm curious to know what new features these suits have and if these features will benefit them in the events of "Captain America: Civil War."
Is this the end for Colonel James Rhodes, also known as War Machine? Who else may not make it? Will anyone leave the Avengers?
Uh oh. In the second trailer, Tony Stark/Iron Man's best friend takes a hard hit in the air and falls a great distance to the ground. When his mask is taken off after the landing, it doesn't look good at all.
"Captain America: Civil War" is said to be a more violent and less humorous film compared to its predecessors. As much as I really hate to say it, I expect at least one character to die in this film. It is hard for me to predict who may face that fate, but I hope it is neither Captain America nor Iron Man. Captain America is the leader of the Avengers, and quite an amazing one if I do say so myself. On the other hand, Iron Man has always been remarkable with his skills in technology (well, maybe except for his little mishap that caused the conflict on "Avengers: Age of Ultron"). Iron Man has also been in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for so long that I would hate to see him go like that.
I also believe that there will continue to be major changes to the staff of the team, whether or not characters die. At the end of "Avengers: Age of Ultron," we saw a whopping four Avengers step away from the team : Hulk, who ran away because he was unwilling to put Black Widow in danger, Hawkeye, who returned home to his family, Thor, who returned to Asgard upon his curiosity regarding the Infinity Stones, and Iron Man, who leaves because of his responsibility for the creation of Ultron. These losses are replaced by Falcon, War Machine, Scarlet Witch, and Vision. There may be reasons that we would not yet be able to tell for yet another change, but think about it: the two sides of the Avengers are fighting for what they believe in. There must be several rocky relationships within the team that may cause more Avengers to depart. Then again, we do see that Hawkeye and Iron Man are returning for "Captain America: Civil War," which I will dive into next.
Why does Hawkeye return?
Let me start off by saying that I can understand why Iron Man is returning in "Captain America: Civil War," despite the fact that he left the team. Again, he is the reason Ultron nearly destroyed humanity. It is obvious why he feels the Avengers need to be put in check.
Now, in "Avengers: Age of Ultron," Clint Barton/Hawkeye had his big secret revealed. When he returns home to his farm with the Avengers to lay low after their first battle with Ultron, the team discovers that he is married with two kids and another one on the way. While he is home, he makes a promise to his wife that the mission to defeat Ultron will be his last mission as an Avenger so that afterwards, he can permanently return home and care for his family.
But there he is in the trailers of "Captain America: Civil War" on Captain America's side. What happened to the promise he made to his wife? After all, he made a big commitment especially with a newborn in his family. Perhaps the conflict between the Avengers is so unpleasant that he has no choice but to come out of retirement and take a side in the war.
How will the civil war end? Do the Avengers have to settle their differences to stop a bigger enemy?
I see the conflict between the Avengers being resolved in two possible ways.
The first way is simple: one side ultimately defeats the other side. Boom. Just like that.
However, I am leaning more towards another possibility: a stronger force rises, prompting the Avengers to settle their differences and reunite.
The emphasis on the friendship between Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers and the division of the Avengers is so strong that there really has not been much talk about the real antagonists in the film. I previously mentioned that a possible battle in the early stages of the film could involve a super villain. According to reports, the civil war that ensues between the Avengers follows an incident involving Brock Rumlow, also to be known as Crossbones in the film. Perhaps Crossbones' appearance will be limited to only the beginning of the film because it has also been reported that the main antagonist is Baron Helmut Zemo. Not much has been revealed in regards to how he rises to power, but I predict that this is who the Avengers must defeat to save the world once again and resolve their conflict.
How is Spider-Man going to be put in this movie? Will he take a side in the war?
Before I elaborate, I have to mention that when I first saw Spider-Man appear right at the end of the second trailer, I almost had a heart attack. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including myself, had been waiting for months to finally get a glimpse at the new reboot of Spider-Man. This is the third theatrical version of Spider-Man and I already feel like I will enjoy this one the most.
I wonder how he will be put into this movie. Based on his appearance in the second trailer, it appears as though he has already met and befriended Tony Stark somehow. With that in mind, and the fact that Iron Man's team is smaller than Captain America's, I believe he is more likely to join the former.
There is just so much packed into this upcoming film. With all of these questions, characters, and plot details revealed as of now, it is clear that viewers will need to pay close attention to this film because it will be an action filled ride that will deeply affect the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For now, I am counting down the days until May 6. So, whose side are you on?



























