Since Iron Man launched in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has evolved a lot. Expected for April 25, 2018, Avengers: Infinity War will introduce the end of the continuity of the Infinity Stones.But with more than 18 movies leading up to Infinity War, where are all the infinity stones? Let's get to the point.
Avengers: Infinity War is one of the most anticipated films (if not THE movie) this year. Trailers and pre-sales have also broken audience records. There is something at the same time: it will be the first film in history bringing together so many superheroes (more than sixty if we believe the directors), the most expensive in history…And then, it's been a decade overdue, so good.
"With great power comes great responsibility" – Ben Parker
And he didn't think he was saying so well! The film should essentially focus on Thanos and his search for the Infinity Stones. His goal: to find them all to obtain, thanks to his glove, unlimited power. The Avengers will obviously stand against him, they who have already anticipated threats of this kind. Because, during the first 18 films, these famous stones were hidden and protected, whether on Earth or in the galaxy.
But then, where are they?
The stone of space
1st appearance : Captain America – First Avenger
Powers : The Space Stone allows whoever controls it to teleport across the galaxy through cosmic portals.
Origin : This is the first stone to appear in the MCU. First used under the name of Tesseract by Red Skull to create weapons for HYDRA, she will know several adventures. In Avengers, she will be manipulated by Loki, who will command the Chitauris invasion of New York under the aegis of Thanos.
Where is it now?After the events of Avengers, Tesseract's cube will be handed over to the Asgardians, the kingdom of Thor. Only, in Thor: Ragnarok, Loki seems to steal the cube, while his brother is fighting against Hela. One of the post-credits scenes of the latter shows us that Thanos seems to have taken Thor's ship as prey. Will he come to take this first stone?
The Reality Stone
1st appearance : Thor – The Dark World
Powers : Even though its extent is still unknown, the stone turns everything into dark, deadly matter.
Origin : The reality stone was hidden in a secret dimension. Discovered by Jane Foster on Earth and taking possession of her, Ether will be extracted from her body and used for malicious purposes by Malekith, king of the dark elves.
Where is it now?Well, we don't have too much news since Thor 2. At the end of it, the stone was first almost entrusted to Asgard. But Odin, not wanting two infinity stones in the same place, decided to entrust it to the Collector. However, The Guardians of the Galaxy, will come, in their film, to explode its "museum" of collection. So we don't know what happened to the reality stone.
The Stone of Power
First appearance : Guardians of the Galaxy
Powers : As the name suggests, it gives infinite power and strength to the one who masters it.
Origin : Commissioned by Yondu, the Orb is stolen by Starlord at the beginning of the film. Object of all lusts, Thanos seems to be also looking for him. Later, the Collector reveals to the team why the Orb is so sought after across the galaxy. He holds back the stone of power. Anyone who touches it is automatically disintegrated, because it is impossible to manage so much power.
Where is it now?Once in Ronan's hands, the Guardians managed to wrest from him. The stone is therefore safe on the planet Xandar, under the aegis of the Nova Corps and Nova Prime. It has not yet moved from its place.
The Stone of the Spirit
First appearance : Avengers
Powers : The Mind Stone is the one whose powers have been exploited a lot. First by Loki, who was able to experience mind control, a higher intellect and the power of projection. Then by Vision which acquires other powers, such as superhuman strength, energy rays from stone, passing through matter or flying.
Origin : The stone of the mind has a more particular story than the others.Seen in the first Avengers while being in Loki's scepter, she takes her true form in the second game. And this will be one of the main axes of this film. After studying the scepter, Tony Stark decides to use his energy to create an artificial intelligence, Ultron. But the latter, turning against humanity, decides to use the stone to create a superpowerful being, Vision.
Where is it now?It is Vision who, created from the stone, now wears it on his forehead. A real powerful weapon, how will Thanos go about seizing the stone? Could this already be the end of Vision?
The Stone of Time
First appearance : Doctor Strange
Powers : The one who holds the time stone can manipulate time, go into the past and future, but also create infinite time loops.
Origin : The stone was discovered on Earth by the ancient sorcerer Agamotto. To hide its existence, he concealed it in an artifact, the "Eye of Agamotto". Since kept by the masters of Kamar-Taj, it is the curiosity of Stephen Strange that pushes him to master his power. The stone will also be used to protect Earth from Dormammu's attack, with Doctor Strange blocking it in a time loop.
Where is it now?At the end of his adventures, Doctor Strange puts the Eye of Agamotto back in its place, guarded by the masters of the temple of Kamar-Taj.
The Soul Stone
Powers : According to the comics, the Soul Stone can control the souls of the living as well as the dead and steal super powers.
Origin : This last stone is a bit special. Last stone of the building, it has still not been unveiled! Marvel decided not to reveal where the Soul Stone was. Will Thanos get his hands on all the stones in Avengers 3?
But where is it ?
If we know nothing about this last stone, several theories and rumors circulate.
First theory : Heimdall. The watchman of Asgard would hide the stone in his eyes. Despite the fact that Ragnarok was able to prove to us that no, we still have some doubts.
Second theory : Wakanda. In Black Panther, T'Challa and Killmonger, during their transitions, come face to face with their ancestors. One of the powers of the stone then. This would also explain the battle seen in the trailer (video at the end of the article).
Third theory : Ant-man. Expected for this summer, the stone could be in the quantum world, to which only the hero has access. A place where time and space have no meaning and which will be difficult to access for Thanos.
Last theory : The craziest but also likely, would be that Thanos is already in possession of the missing stone. After the famous post-credits scene of Avengers: Age of Ultron ("I'll do it myself"), it is likely that he sent his Dark Order to search for him.
It will take a few more weeks before discovering Avengers: Infinity War. Will Thanos find all the stones? Will some characters be put in danger? Answer on April 25th! In the meantime, (re)discover the trailer and our complete file of the Marvel Cinematic Universe !
