When Marvel Studios ventured into building what is now the celebrated Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), little did they know the full impact the Infinity Stones would have—not just within the narrative but also in the production booth. Fans and critics alike marveled at the cosmic juggling act that culminated in “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” where the Stones were used with universe-altering consequences. However, even the most dedicated of fans might have missed a subtle but significant change that occurred behind the scenes: the color switch of the Infinity Stones.
Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Infinity Stones have been prominently featured throughout the franchise, playing a central role in the storyline revolving around the menacing threat of Thanos for nearly a decade. Each film in which the stones appear showcases their unique abilities, leading to a climactic showdown in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, where all the stones are utilized simultaneously. This results in the destruction of countless lives and their subsequent resurrection from oblivion. However, it’s worth noting that the portrayal of the Stones in the MCU differs significantly from their depiction in the original comics, undergoing substantial changes.
Each Infinity Stone is unveiled as an artifact pursued by the main characters, often without the heroes even realizing the true nature of the object they seek. For instance, in Thor: The Dark World, the Aether is revealed to be the Reality Stone, albeit in a different form. Similarly, the Tesseract featured in Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers is unveiled as the Space Stone, while the gem embedded in Loki’s scepter is identified as the Mind Stone, and so forth. Notably, when Marvel Studios released Iron Man in 2008, the writers couldn’t have foreseen the eventual appearance of Thanos a decade later.
However, observant viewers may notice that the colors of the Stones in the films differ from those in the comics. For example, the original Power Stone was red in the comics, but it appears purple in Guardians of the Galaxy and all subsequent films. Director James Gunn shed light on this, explaining that “.…the Power Stone is purple because the Aether already took red. And it’s a better colors for GotG.” This clarification elucidates the reason behind the discrepancy in coloration – various potent items were later confirmed to be retroactively designated as Infinity Stones. Interestingly, during the latter part of the MCU, the colors of the Stones in the comics also underwent changes.
In New Avengers #3, the original colors of the Infinity Stones were altered to align with those seen in the films. This adjustment occurred during the Marvel Legacy relaunch, orchestrated by Franklin Richards during the 2015 Secret Wars event. By this point, the colors of the Stones in the MCU were well-established, prompting a deliberate effort to synchronize the comics with the cinematic universe. Marvel undoubtedly aimed to avoid confusion among new readers, potentially drawn to comics after watching the movies, by presenting consistent colors across both mediums.
Marvel has taken meticulous steps to ensure coherence between the comic universe and the film universe. This includes reintroducing the Eternals in anticipation of their 2021 film, featuring Kang the Conqueror as a villain in upcoming titles, and reviving the Guardians of the Galaxy following their newfound popularity. Given these strategic moves, it is logical that the colors of the Infinity Stones would be adjusted to mirror their counterparts on the big screen, especially considering Thanos’s prominent role in the MCU.
Relevant articles:
– Production of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame
– Why the Infinity Stones Changed Color (It Was Thanos’ Fault)