The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has grown ever since it started in 2008 with the first movie, “Iron Man.” The latest installment of the franchise “Avengers: Infinity War” has many fans theorizing who will exit stage left after Marvel Studios announced character deaths will be permanent.

The first person who could die is Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, who will be fighting Thanos to the very end. Tony’s death would have Peter Parker, Spider-Man, lose his mentor, forcing the character to develop in the movies. This development could lead to Peter defining himself as his own hero and becoming a mentor to his own predecessor.

The next person on the theoretical chopping block is Captain America, Steve Rogers, where he will most likely be the one to sacrifice himself to stop Thanos. The empty Captain America mantle will lead to the need for a successor, but who it will be is the question on every mind in the MCU. This is where Falcon, Sam Wilson, or the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes, could take up the mantle like they did in the comics, possibly leading to a fight over it too.

The battle for the title could end with Bucky being offered a new position by T’Challa, Black Panther, that was hinted at in “Black Panther,” Bucky becoming the hero White Wolf. Leaving Falcon as the victor and the new Captain America, giving the world the first onscreen African American Captain America. Sam’s new position would then leave the opening for a new Falcon to enter, who could be his comic book replacement, Joaquin Torres.

The last person who could die is the mighty Thor, who has a new hammer in the film made public via toys and other merchandise. Thor’s death would lead to another empty position to be filled in the MCU, which brings up the question who could wield his hammer. In the MCU’s case, Loki would be the best to take up the hammer, completing his character progression of villain to antihero to full hero. However, Marvel Studios may want to follow the comics and give the hammer to Thor’s old lover, Jane Foster, making Thor an Earth based hero instead of Asgard based.

These three theoretical deaths could lead to massive changes in the MCU, forcing new characters to fill roles that would be abandoned, while others will develop into better ones. “Avengers: Infinity War” is coming to theaters April 27, marking the end for some characters no matter what, but who they shall be, the world will have to wait.