Skip to main content

Set photos from 'Avengers: Infinity War' reveal new villain, Ebony Maw

Marvel’s cinematic universe is an intricately woven web, one that incorporates more than 100 characters, spans roughly 20 films and connects a dozen different franchises. Such synergy is on full display in the Avengers series and set photos from the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War remind us just how many of our favorite heroes (and villains) will come together for the film.

As reported by ComingSoon, a new batch of snaps have hit the interwebs, one of which seems to reveal a heretofore unconfirmed character.

Recommended Videos

The photos (below) show Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) fleeing some unseen evil, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) fielding a phone call from the clouds, and Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) being attacked by an anonymous villain in a CGI suit. (Warning: The remainder of this article contains mild spoilers) Upon closer inspection, however, you will see that Strange’s assailant is wearing a name tag that reads “EB-MAW.”

Fans are speculating (with good reason) that this refers to Ebony Maw, a member of Thanos’ Black Order, a crew of evil aliens that marauds around the universe, razing planets and subjugating their inhabitants. Of course, the crew eventually targets Earth and Maw is sent in to deal with Dr. Strange specifically.

In the photo, Maw appears to be reaching for the Eye of Agamotto, which contains one of the infinity stones that Thanos needs to collect in his quest to assemble the Infinity Gauntlet, a glove ornamented with six gems that essentially makes the wearer omnipotent.

Get it? Got it? Good.

As for the other photos, we cannot be sure who Rudd is running from or who Ruffalo is talking to just yet. Leaked set photos have been relatively common since Avengers: Infinity War began filming in January, but it is rare to get snaps that reveal plot details or character cameos like the one above. Sorry, Russo brothers — there are no secrets in the age of social media.

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Infinity War is set to hit theaters May 4, 2018 and stars the actors … all of them. OK, that is a slight exaggeration. Among many others, the film stars Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, and Chris Evans.

Adam Poltrack
Former Contributor
Adam is an A/V News Writer for Digital Trends, and is responsible for bringing you the latest advances in A/V…
7 most unnecessary sequels ever
Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix hold mics and smile in Joker: Folie à Deux."

It's common knowledge that many movie sequels fail to live up to the hype and quality of their predecessors. Film studios usually try to follow the money by making a follow-up to a movie that succeeded in theaters. However, filmmakers can't always replicate the magic of the original film, which has led to some lackluster sequels.

These films can bomb so spectacularly or miss the mark by so much that some even argue that they had no business existing at all. While almost any film can be deemed "unnecessary," there are many sequels to critically and commercially successful motion pictures that really didn't need to be made.

Read more
I’ve seen enough. Glen Powell is a better Running Man than Arnold Schwarzenegger
Glen Powell poses in a disguise in The Running Man.

Paramount Pictures revealed the first trailer for The Running Man, a dystopian action movie based on Stephen King's 1982 novel. Glen Powell headlines The Running Man, and despite the lack of footage, it's clear that his Ben Richards will be better than the one portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Stop filming me!" Powell's Richards screams before an explosion launches the character off a bridge and into the water. In a near-future society, Ben faces a financial crisis. He needs a doctor to save his sick daughter. Because desperate times call for desperate measures, Ben enters The Running Man, a deadly competition where contestants ("Runners") must survive 30 days. During that timeframe, professional assassins ("Hunters") hunt the contestants down, intending to kill them. Survive and win the grand prize, or die and get nothing.

Read more
The Old Guard 2 cast chooses iconic movie moments to witness for the first time
A group of soldiers stand in the dirt in The Old Guard 2.

Internet culture in the Digital Age moves at the snap of a finger. Thanks to the social media algorithm, what's popular today might not be talked about tomorrow. Five years feels like a lifetime. That's how long it's been since The Old Guard premiered on Netflix. It's fitting that a follow-up to a movie about a team of immortals would take its time before hitting the service. Mortals, rejoice. The wait is over. The Old Guard 2 is now available to stream on Netflix.

Charlize Theron returns for the action-packed sequel as Andy, the leader of a team of immortal mercenaries who serve as protectors of the world. The team consists of immortals Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), along with a mortal, James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Speaking of finite creatures, Andy now copes with her mortality, which affects every decision, knowing she can finally die. Andy and her team will be tested with the arrival of Discord (Uma Thurman), the very first immortal with a sinister plan that threatens the universe. To defeat Discord, Andy seeks the help of an old friend, Tuah (Henry Golding), who may hold the secrets of immortality.

Read more