WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Avengers: Infinity War

-

The new Infinity War trailer has delivered everything fans hoped for… and may also confirm the death of Loki. we’re loathe to suggest such a twist, since both the character and actor Tom Hiddleston have made themselves one of Marvel’s top favorites among fans. But with the evidence mounting that Loki will NOT be joining in on the Infinity War’s action, a few new shots of Thor in agony all but confirm it.

You can’t say Loki wouldn’t deserve to be killed by Thanos and the Black Order, though: he made a deal to conquer Earth for the Mad Titan. He even got an Infinity Stone to do it (a big factor even if Loki didn’t know its true power). But it is going to be heartbreaking all the same. And considering that he makes Thor watch, it’s going to make the challenge of showing Thanos as an empathetic villain a lot more challenging.

It’s still just a theory of ours for now based on educated guessing, so there’s reason to hold out hope. But for those eager to jump into the SPOILERS and start preparing for the loss… read on.

This Page: How Thanos Defeats Thor & Loki After Ragnarok

Yes, Thanos Arrives At The End of Thor: Ragnarok

The most heartbreaking death of the MCU actually begins in the mid-credits scene of Thor: Ragnarok. Just as Thor and Loki seem to have put aside their differences, and the younger brother has taken a step towards the more heroic side - at least when it comes to protecting his people - the unknown butts in on the victory. In the form of a massive, ominous ship, no less.

Fans at the time didn’t know what to make of the twist, given the obvious implications for Infinity War, but the much more lighthearted and irreverent tone of Ragnarok. Since then it’s been confirmed that it’s Thanos at the end of Ragnarok, leading almost immediately into a loss powerful enough to wipe out Thor’s latest victory.

And by “victory,” we mean wipe out most of what remains of Asgard’s survivors. Thanos has come to collect the Infinity Stone held by Loki - and the God of mischief is all too happy to turn it over. Although… what choice does he really have?

When the first Infinity War trailers began to reveal more about the movie’s plot, the fact that Loki really did steal the Tesseract from Asgard’s trophy room before it was destroyed was seen as good news. Yet when the first shot debuted of Loki surrounded by the carnage of a destroyed spaceship, lit by flames, and gazing up at an unseen figure of incomparable power, his offering of the Space Stone was taken differently by different viewers.

To some, it was a sign that Loki was siding with Thanos, and returning to his villainous ways. To others, it was a sure sign that Loki had no other choice. Which meant that Thanos wasn’t likely to be satisfied with just getting what he came for from the servant who failed him. And judging by the new shots in the latest trailer… fans had better say their goodbyes to Thor’s brother.

And get ready to see Thor as we never have before now.

Thanos Has Loki Killed For His Betrayal

Given what had been shown in previous trailers and footage, this scene isn’t all that shocking. Loki is all that’s left of the Asgardian ship’s crew and passengers (we assume), explaining why Hulk is impressed by Thanos for his conquering abilities. Although much of that credits goes to his underlings, shown in this same shot as the first look at Marvel’s Black Order in action.

The elite members of Thanos’s personal army, rarely seen united in one place. Surrounding Loki, awaiting orders from Thanos… with some kind of powered staff pointed straight at his head. Sure, that in itself isn’t confirmation of what’s about to happen to Loki (Thanos may simply banish him to somewhere else in the Marvel Universe, or dissolve him in mystical energy to return at a later date).

But the trailer also seems to show what Loki and the Children of Thanos are all looking at. And even worse, who’s being made to look back. Or, more accurately, who Thanos is forcing to watch.

Thanos Makes Thor Watch as Loki Dies

From the first viewing, it’s easy to mistake the above shot as a true demonstration of the power of Thanos (he’s already got the Power Stone at this point). But as impressive as it might be to make an Asgardian scream in pain by squeezing his skull with your bare hand… that doesn’t seem like the most likely scenario.

For starters, it really doesn’t seem like Thanos is “squeezing” at all. Examining the beginning of the shot more closely, it’s clear that Thor is resisting his head being turned, not crushed. And even opening one eye grudgingly. After all, this isn’t just a lesson for Loki to realize the cost of betraying Thanos. It’s also a punishment for Thor searching out Thanos for years since his vision in Age of Ultron.

Again’t that’s our speculation on what’s being shown here - but it’s getting harder and harder to claim that it’s not also the most likely scenario playing out. The good news, if there is any, is that Loki will die a hero, not a villain.

And that Thor will have a brand new reason to become the God of Thunder that the Norse people revered as a divine warrior.

Following the presumed execution of Loki, Thanos leaves Thor for dead (a tactical miscalculation, part of the plan, or evidence of Thor possessing greater divinity than Loki?). He is instead picked up by the Guardians of the Galaxy, a group that happens to include no shortage of people looking for revenge against Thanos. Fate works in mysterious ways in Marvel’s Universe, too.

But before Thor can wage his war on Thanos and avenge the death of his people and his brother, he must have a weapon worthy of the task. No more Mjolnir, a hammer designed to help Thor fly and pummel enemies with brute force. The time has come for Thor to forge the Stormbreaker Axe, an instrument of true warfare.

As part of our biggest questions and secrets in the Infinity War trailer, we wondered why the time had come for Thor to restore his red cape, as well. But if Thor is aiming to show Thanos exactly who he has messed with, and take his revenge in the name of Asgard, it’s only right he should look the part.

If not for the onlookers or movie fans, then for the historians who will one day tell the story. Assuming the villainous plan doesn’t succeed, and Thanos fails to wipe out life in the universe, that is.

MORE: Infinity War Theory: Thanos Needs Time Travel To Get Soul Stone

  • Avengers: Infinity War Release Date: 2018-04-27