After a year of guessing, we are finally going to have answers to our questions about Avengers: Endgame, but don't get your hopes up to see either Annihilus or Kang just yet.

Marvel, you tease.

Since Infinity War's end credits rolled, we have been left with far more questions than answers. Then came word -thanks to an Endgame toyline preview - that there would be an even bigger threat to the universe than Thanos, which only stoked the raging fire. Since then, the Internet has exploded with predictions and supposed script and story leaks as to who or what will be that bigger threat.

First there was the prediction that the looming threat would be Annihilus and his horde of insects. That would have made for a great addition to the MCU, and it would definitely make for great onscreen visuals for an epic battle sequence and make sense as far as the story. The problem is that Annihilus, at the time Endgame was being filmed, was a Fox property as confirmed by Screen Rant back in 2017, therefore he likely couldn't have been used for the movie. That's not to say the horde won't show up, but it won't be the same without Annihilus.

 

 

 

The other theory has been that Kang the Conqueror would be the new threat. Supposed leaked scripts that have been floating across Reddit have it that Tony Stark will master time travel in Endgame, and he will unwittingly evolve into Kang. In the past couple of months, that rumor has been gaining more traction, but there's the same problem for Kang as it is for Annihilus: Fox. Four years ago, James Gunn confirmed that Kang the Conqueror's film and television rights were owned by Fox according to ComicBook.com's post "Guardians of the Galaxy Director Clarifies Who Owns Kang and the Shi'Ar."

Yes, Disney now owns Fox and all its movie properties, but that deal was not finalized until after Endgame was through filming. That means that Disney/Marvel Studios did not have the rights to feature either Kang or Annihilus in time to put them in Endgame unless there was some secret business deal that has yet to come to light.

As the clock winds down for all Endgame secrets, the rumors have boosted prices for Kang's first appearance in The Avengers #8. Virtually every grade has gained value, especially in its 90-day averages. A month ago, a 2.5 sold for as much as $138. What's more impressive is that on March 27, a 4.0 set a record with a $309 sale.

The same goes for the first appearance of Annihilus in Fantastic Four Annual #6. Since the chances of Annihilus appearing in Endgame are slim, FF Annual #6 values have cooled since last year, but they are still much higher than they have ever been. This year, a 4.0 sold for $220 when it had never brought more than $35 until the movie rumors.

Is it a good idea to add these two keys to your collection regardless of whether or not they will appear in Endgame? Absolutely. Sooner or later, now that Marvel has the film rights, Kang and Annihilus will debut on screen. It will be worth investing in these keys for when that time comes.