Avengers Infinity War end credits scene EXPLAINED: What does THIS symbol mean?

The first Avengers 3 screenings took place just after midnight in the earliest hours of this morning.

Cinemas across the UK started main daytime screenings far earlier than usual from 6am to meet the unprecendented demand from eager fans.

Marvel and Thanos have already demanded our silence so it goes without saying that you should only read this if you have already been one of the dedicated fans to make the first screenings.

We will discuss what the end credit scene shows and what it means for Avengers 4.

WARNING: SPOILERS

Unlike most Marvel movies which have a series of mid and end credits scenes of varying importance, Avengers 3 only has one.

Not only does it reveal two major much-missed characters, it directly announces the appearance of a brand new character – one of the most eagerly-awaited Marvel heroes of the upcoming Phase 4.

For those not familiar with every minutiae of the MCU and source Marvel comic books, the symbol shown on a mobile phone screen belongs to..

LAST CHANCE TO AVOID SPOILERS

The end credit scene shows the return of Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury with his devoted aide Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) by his side.

As destruction starts to rain down around them, he pulls out his (surprisingly old-school) phone and dials up a number. As the movie ends, the symbol below appears.

Yes, it looks like Captain Marvel will be coming to save the day in Avengers 4. 

The first images of Brie Larsen as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel on set have already been released.

Fans already know that Nick Fury features in the debut Captain Marvel film, which hits cinemas just before Avengers 4 next Spring.

Brie Larson’s Marvel superhero bow is set in the 1990s, which may explain the old-fashioned phone her number is stored in. Larson has also already been listed on the cast for Avengers 4.

After the devastating losses experienced during Infinity War, it looks like the reguar characters who weren’t present for Avengers 3, plus some new faces, will play an important part in the Russo brothers’ plans to somehow save not just the day but an entire range of Marvel franchises.

AVENGERS INFINITY WAR IS OUT NOW IN CINEMAS