Avengers Infinity War: Is Loki DEAD? Directors reveal 'difficult conversations' with stars

The Russo brothers are justifiably proud of what a complex and sympathetic villain Thanos is.

He is being touted as breakthrough in a genre that has struggled with its baddies (Marvel and DC alike). But Marvel already had the ultimate anti-hero swaggering through the franchise in the feline form of Loki.

The Norse god brought mischief and mayhem but also a complicated and troubled relationship between good and evil, right and wrong. Whatever he did, though, fans always loved him.

So what do his final scenes in Infinity War really mean and will he back in Avengers 4?

WARNING MAJOR SPOILERS

There are many, many deaths in Infinity War but only a few are separated out from the cataclysmic mass murder of The Snap.

Gamora’s heartbreaking end is utterly devastating and Spider-Man’s tugs the heartstrings like no other, but Loki’s final moments are even worse because they seem so, well, final.

Fans are already frantically working on theories how everyone killed in the Snap can be restored and there are firm hopes that Gamora is still alive inside the Soul Stone.

It’s seems almost impossible for Loki and Vision to return and the Russos have hammered this point home.

FULL GALLERY OF EVERY INFINITY WAR DEATH BELOW:

Idris Elba has already said farewell to Heimdall on social media but his role (and the star’s own personal ambivalence to the franchise) never really engaged fans.

Loki is a huge favourite and Tom Hiddelston’s performance is a highlight of any movie. Even so, he has to go.

Firstly, it is important that not all the deaths can be reversed, otherwise what was the point of the entire movie?

Secondly, the character has had a full and fleshed-out story arc. He also had a fitting and redemptive end, sacrificing himself in one last attempt to stop Thanos and save his brother Thor. To reverse this would be to cheapen it.

Third, Chris Hemsworth and the other original Avengers stars like Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evan are all expected to bow out after Avengers 4. Without Thor, where does Loki fit?

Fourth and finally, Joe and Antony Russo have explicitly confirmed there will be no coming back for some characters in a recent interview.

Joe revealed how “difficult” it had been telling Marvel stars that their time was done an dcompared their reactions to a “grieving process.’

He said: “They’re never easy conversations to have with people.” 

“But I think that people are understanding that the story comes first and a lot of these people have really amazing careers and lots of films that they want to make. So, ultimately, I think they go through a grieving process like anyone, but you come out the other side at some point and understand what being part of the Marvel Universe did for you.

“And, like with us, when we move on from Marvel, it’s done amazing things for us and allows us a lot of other opportunities in our careers.”

It really does look like fans have had thier last look at Loki.

AVENGERS INFINITY WAR IS OUT NOW. AVENGERS 3 IS OUT ON APRIL 27, 2019