Contracts with six of the biggest names in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are up after Avengers 4, according to a report in Vanity Fair, with plans for the movies that follow taking the MCU in a different direction.

Contracts with Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Scarlet Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) are all up, but it may not matter, because Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige is promising that Avengers 4 (scheduled to open May 4, 2019, see “Best in Shows – Q2 2019”) will “bring things you’ve never seen in superhero films:  a finale.” The next 20 movies after the 22 already scheduled will be “completely different from anything that’s come before – intentionally,” Feige said.  “There will be two distinct periods.  Everything before Avengers 4 and everything after.”