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Sorting Algorithm Of Deadness / Film

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Sorting Algorithm of Deadness

Using the scientifically Infallible power of the Sorting Algorithm of Deadness, who do you think is the next in line for being brought back from the great Bus in the sky?

To use the Algorithm, simply add the Column's "Death Value", and divide by the number of applicable rows.

Relative deadness factor Deader than Dead Maybe Back Later Be Back Soon Death? What's That?
Death Value 4 3 2 1
Cause of death Irony, Bridge Drop, Overkill, Stuffed in the Fridge, Ret-Gone Redemption, Sacrifice, Bus Crash, Mortal Wound Reveal No One Could Survive That!, just plain killed in battle Jumping
Audience Expectation Anyone Can Die Killed Off for Real, Tonight, Someone Dies Disney Death Back from the Dead, Death Is Cheap, Nobody Can Die
Body Found? Dead and Buried
Only Bits And Pieces 		At The Morgue Never Found, Frozen, Petrified Left for Dead
Reaction Montage, Bond One-Liner He's Dead, Jim It's Personal Faux Death
Last Words Crap, Killed Mid-Sentence, Carry on men, His Name Is... Catchphrase, Final Speech, Obi-Wan Moment "Fly, you fools!" "Piece of cake" "My Death Is Just the Beginning"
Characterization Red Shirt, Loved One, Mauve Shirt Recurring Character, C-List Fodder Regular Protagonist, Archvillain
When did they die? 10+ years ago, Series Finale 5-10 years ago Same year Same arc
"Died" and come back? Not yet Died once, but got better Twice I've lost count

If the character hasn't died yet (but seems likely to), see Sorting Algorithm of Mortality. All of this is trumped by the First Law of Resurrection.

Currently, The real Caulder from Advance Wars: Days of Ruin and Teri Bauer from 24 are the only characters to have scored 4, the highest possible. And are notable for having 4 in every category. At one point, Shirley from Code Geass and also scored 4, thanks in part to a special CLAMP bonus that became harder to defend as the series went on. Chloe Sullivan from Smallville is currently the only character to have scored a perfect 1, in the episode Fracture, with the rest of the cast not even taking her death seriously, fully expecting her return.

Baseline Example: The death of Superman.

  • Cause: Heroic Sacrifice, so he's not coming back from that too quickly, or the sacrifice will be cheapened. 3.
  • Genre: It's a comic book, so Death Is Cheap. 1.
  • The Body: Deader than Dead, a Pietà Plagiarism too for supes sake! So no chance of Faking the Dead. 4.
  • Reaction: Really Dead Montage, uh-oh. 4.
  • Characterization: Protagonist. 1.
  • When did he die: Same year, so 2.
  • Come Back?: This was a first, so 4.
  • Average: So add it up... we get a pretty high score, 19! Since it's not a videogame, divide by 7, and we get... 19/7 = 2.7, meaning supes isn't coming back for at least a few months, maybe even years. In actuality the Death Of Superman happened in January 1993 and he came back some time before May 1994.

Now let's make a prediction with the recent death of Batman in Final Crisis.

Note: This sub-page is for Film examples only. Please ensure that you put new examples in the correct Sorting Algorithm of Deadness sub-page.

    open/close all folders 

    Avatar 

Col. Miles Quaritch (if only because so many people like him):

  • Cause: Two six-foot arrows through his chest courtesy of Neytiri. 4
  • Genre: Ton of minor characters die (among hordes of no-name humans and Na'vi). 4
  • Body: Drops with the AMP suit onto the ground. We basically see Quaritch draw his last breath. 4
  • Reaction: If Neytiri's hiss counts as a Bond One-Liner, then it's a 4.
  • Last Words: None, but his reaction is of shock and pain. 3.5
  • Characterization: Main villain, in at least the first of the trilogy. 1
  • When did they die: Nothing really progresses after his death except for Jake transferring consciousnesses after a month or two. Technically a 1
  • "Died" and come back?: No. And given the surprising hardness of the series, highly unlikely. 4
  • Average: 3.1875 - Oddly low score, considering other factors, but it'll take a Hand Wave to bring him back. And Jim isn't very fond of that.

    The Dark Knight Trilogy 

Ra's a'Ghul in Batman Begins:

  • Cause of Death: Left on train about to crash, although Death by Irony has some argument too, since he tried to train Bruce to be willing to kill, and died just after Batman got the upper hand complete with Ironic Echo - 2 or 4
  • Genre: Nolan-verse, death is common, even among key characters - 4
  • Body Found?: Aforementioned train crashes, no mention of the body being found in the movie, and novelization says no body has been found yet - 1
  • Reaction: Well... none, really. Perhaps an 'It's Personal' on Batman's behalf when he chooses not to save him - 2
  • Last Words: Final speech, about Batman doing what is necessary - 3
  • Characterisation: Archvillain. A magnificent one, at that - 1
  • When: In-Universe at least a year passes between Begins and The Dark Knight - 2
  • Previous Deaths: In this continuity, he's never been dead before, because the wrong guy was killed at the fortress. In other continuities, though, he has almost Joker Immunity. This series - 4. Including other continuities - 1.
  • So, all added up, that gives us grand totals of 16/8 (2.0) for the most lenient score or 21/8 (2.625),for the harshest. The door is conceivably open for a return.

Two-face in The Dark Knight:

  • Cause: I'm calling it as a "No One Could Survive That!" - 2
  • Genre: Nolan's verse is in Anyone Can Die territory - 4.
  • Body: "Deader than Dead" 4
  • Reaction: "He's Dead, Jim" 3
  • Characterization: Regular 2
  • When: He dies at the end of the same movie he's introduced, so I'd call it as "Same arc" - 1
  • Come back before: Not yet in the Nolan-verse, so I'll let this be a 4.
  • Average: 2.86.

And, in the same movie, Rachel Dawes:

  • Cause: a Fridge dropped on her, so 4
  • Genre: 4, like above
  • Body: "Never found" 3
  • Reaction: Two-face uses this death as the touchstone for his crime spree, so you could say that"It's Personal" 2
  • Last words: Killed Mid-Sentence 4
  • Characterization: Regular 2
  • When: "Same Arc" 1
  • Come back before: No - 4
  • Average: 24/8 = 3.0, and worse if you think that showing Harvey and Bruce both grieving and Alfred comforting Bruce bumps this up 3 instead of a 2. Fare thee well, Rachel.

    Kingsman 

Let's start with Harry's death in the first movie.

Roxy in The Golden Circle.

  • Cause of Death: Stuffed in the Fridge by a bridge drop. - 4
  • Genre: From the second movie, it is etablished that people can survive bullets in the head. - 2
  • Body Found?: Her body is never seen in the rubbles. Also, the missile doesn't hit the palace directly, but the yard in front of it. - 1
  • Reaction: She's dead, Eggsy. - 3
  • Last Words: Shocked when she sees the missile coming. - 4
  • Characterisation: Eggsy's lancer. - 2
  • When: In the last movie of the franchise. - 1
  • Previous Deaths: No - 4.
  • Average score : 2.63 A comeback in a third movie is still possible.

Merlin

  • Cause of Death: [[Sacrifice Sacrifices]] himself to save Eggsy and Harry from a triggered mine, and makes a diversion. - 3
  • Genre: From the second movie, it is etablished that people can survive bullets in the head. - 2
  • Body Found?: His body is not seen after the explosion. - 2
  • Reaction: It's Personal with Poppy and her minions. - 2
  • Last Words: Sings "Take Me Home, Country Roads" to attract guards near the mine. - 1
  • Characterisation: The Smart Guy of the Kingsmen. - 2
  • When: In the last movie of the franchise. - 1
  • Previous Deaths: No - 4.
  • Average score : 2.12 Let's also add that an interview with Mark Strong revealed he was supposed to have survived.

    Macbeth (1971) 

Duncan:

Banquo:

Lady Macbeth:

Seyton:

  • Cause of Death: Dropped a Bridge on Him. - 4
  • Genre: Killed Off for Real. - 3
  • Body Found: Yes. - 4
  • Reaction: N/A. - 4
  • Last Words: No time to speak. - 4
  • Characterization: Red Shirt. He would have been a Mauve Shirt if he had more scenes. - 4
  • When: 10+ years ago. - 4
  • "Died" and Come Back?: No. - 4
  • Average: 31/8=3.875.

Young Siward:

Macbeth:

    Marvel Cinematic Universe 

Let's do two from Captain America: The First Avenger

Lt. Bucky Barnes:

  • Cause: Jumping/Falling: 1
  • Genre: It's based on Comic Book so Death is Cheap: 1
  • Body: Never found: 2
  • Reaction: It's personal: 2
  • Last Words: Last Words: Oh, Crap!: 4
  • Character: Regular, I suppose: 2
  • When: Same Movie: 1
  • Died and come back: Not in the Marvel Film 'verse: 4
  • Total: 17
  • Average Deadness Score: 2.1 Soon
  • Yeah we got him back back in like 2014 but he's now dead again and now we get to do it again!!

Johann Schmidt/The Red Skull:

  • Cause: I'm gonna go with No One Can Survive That: 2
  • Genre: It's based on Comic Book so Death is Cheap: 1
  • Body: Disintegrated, however it looks like a form of teleportation already established in-universe, so I'm gonna call it Never Found the Body: 2
  • Reaction: He's Dead, Jim: 3
  • Last Words: None, so we'll leave this one out of the tally?
  • Character: Archvillain 1
  • When: Same Movie: 1
  • Died and come back: Not in the Marvel Film 'verse: 4
  • Total: 17
  • Average Deadness Score: 2.3 I think we all expect to see Johnny Boy sometime again soon.
  • aaaaaand we did! That's fortunate, I think.

And now for Avengers: Infinity War!! (hoo boi we're getting into the deep shit aa)

Aaaand first up is Loki! ...He died second.

  • Cause: Im sorry but you thought you learned your lesson?? Irony, 4.
  • Expectation: We certainly expected people to die, so 3.
  • Body: He was killed onscreen, so 3.
  • Reaction: IT'S FUCKING PERSONAL. 2.
  • Last Words: "You will never be a god." 3.
  • Characterization: He's a regular character by now, so 3.
  • Time: We're still on the the current arc, so who knows?? 1.
  • Resurrections: Two, predictably. ...So 2. lol
  • Total: 21.
  • Average: 2.625. This could easily go either way!! maybe that Banner Theory is true?

Second we have thE SECOND SADDEST DEATH, Gamora. Here goes nothinggg

  • Cause: Just before she died we were unaware she was about to?? so 3 I guess
  • Expectation: Oh she gone, honey (3)
  • Body: Again, died onscreen. 3.
  • Reaction: I think we get a montage?? so 4.
  • Last Words: "This isn't love." 3.
  • Characterization: She's a regular character so 2.
  • Time: Again, same arc. 1.
  • Resurrections: no resurrections this time 4
  • Total: 23
  • Average: 2.875, surprisingly low for someone who's more likely than not gonna stay dead.

Third, we have My Peter Boiohhhhaaa even though we kNOW he'll be back

  • Cause: Sorta-Kinda-Mortal-Wound-Reveal, 3
  • Expectation: Death is cheap, especially in this situation, 1
  • Body: Another on-screen death, 3.
  • Reaction: His death is part of a montage and there was kind of a memorial vibe in the credits, so 4.
  • Last words: hOH BOI THIS IS SAD AS FU- "Mister Stark? I don't feel so good... I-I don't know what's happening. I don't wanna go. I don't wanna go. Mister Stark, please! Please, I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go... I'm sorry..." 3.
  • Characterization: Regular character, like literally everybody else. 2.
  • Time: Same Arc, again! 1.
  • Resurrections 4
  • Total: 21
  • Average: 2.625. ...Well then. Exactly the same as Loki?? Dear god. Least we know he's coming back.

And now, Endgame is here. Let's start with Black Widow.

  • Cause: Sacrifices herself so Hawkeye can retrieve the Soul Stone from 2014. 3
  • Expectation: We certainly expected people to die, so 3.
  • Body: She died onscreen, so 3.
  • Reaction: We can say it's montage, I guess. 4.
  • Last Words: "Let me go. It's okay." 3.
  • Characterization: She was a recurring character in the MCU. 3.
  • Time: Final movie of the Infinity Saga. 4.
  • Resurrections: None. 4
  • Total: 27.
  • Average: 3.375

Then, we have Thanos.

  • Cause: Turned into dust after some kind of Mortal Wound Reveal. 3.5
  • Expectation: We certainly expected people to die, so 3.
  • Body: Turned into dust. 4
  • Reaction: And There Was Much Rejoicing... Well, until we realize Tony Stark was mortally wounded. 4
  • Last Words: "I am... Inevitable." Once he realized his defeat and his imminent death, he faces death without saying a word. 3.5
  • Characterization: Main antagonist of the Infinity Saga. 1.
  • Time: Final movie of the Infinity Saga. 4.
  • Resurrections: This Thanos actually comes from an alternate timeline, the original one has been decapitated by Thor. 3
  • Total: 26.
  • Average: 3.25. Thus ended the threat of the Mad Titan.

And last but not least, the sad death of Tony Stark.

  • Cause: Using the Infinity Stones mortally wounded him. 3
  • Expectation: We certainly expected people to die, so 3.
  • Body: Buried near his home. 4
  • Reaction: Most characters of the MCU attend to his funeral. 4
  • Last Words: "Hey, Pep...", only having enough energy to acknowledge the presence of his wife. 3
  • Characterization: One of the main characters of the crossover movies of the MCU. 1
  • Time: Final movie of the Infinity Saga. 4.
  • Resurrections: No. 4
  • Total: 26.
  • Average: 3.25. We loved you 3000.

Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

  • Cause: Crushing the Darkhold temple to prevent others to use it. 3
  • Expectation: It's based on Comic Book, and multiverses have been introduced in The Multiverse Saga of the MCU, so Death is Cheap: 1
  • Body: We never see the body, and a red flash is even seen while the temple crushes. 1
  • Reaction: He's dead, Jim. 3
  • Last Words: "No one will ever be tempted by the Darkhold again." 3
  • Time: Film from the current Multiverse Saga. 1.
  • Resurrections: No. 4
  • Total: 16.
  • Average: 2. Her comeback at some point is almost certain.

    Tron 

TRON: Legacy has a few deaths which people question, so let's see how they fare for a return in the sequel that might come.

Rinzler, aka Tron:

  • Cause: Heroic Sacrifice crossed with Death Equals Redemption. 3
  • Genre: It's a Disney flick, so 2.
  • Body: Left for dead in the water, 1
  • Last words: "I fight for the Users!", probably counts as a "Facing the Bullets" One-Liner given its delivery. 3
  • Characterization: The Dragon but his real name is the title. 1
  • When did they die: Near the end of the last movie, probably counts as same year. 2
  • "Died" and come back?: He wasn't quite dead, though everyone thought he was. 4
  • Average: 2.571. He's got good chances of being back and back to normal in the next movie. If they make a next movie.

Kevin Flynn:

  • Cause: Heroic Sacrifice. 3
  • Genre: Again, Disney, 2.
  • Body: Blown up in the process of merging with Clu. 4
  • Last words: "Goodbye, kiddo." Sort of an Obi-Wan Moment. 3
  • Characterization: Protagonist of the first film, but made into The Mentor for this one. Likely a 4.
  • When did they die: Climax of the movie, counts as same year. Probably. 2
  • "Died" and come back?: No. 4
  • Average: 3.143. Yeah, I think he's gone, passed the torch to his son and all.

    Serenity 

How about another test - Wash:

    Star Trek 

Used on Spock's death in "Wrath of Khan":

  • Cause of death: Sacrifice (3)
  • Genre: Killed Off for Real (3)
  • Body Found? Shot into space; landed on Genesis planet (2)
  • Reaction: Funeral, and speeches (3)
  • Last Words: Final Speech (3)
  • Characterization: Protagonist (1)
  • When Did They Die? Same arc (1)
  • "Died" And Come Back? Not yet (4)
  • Average: 2.625. Could've gone either way...

    Star Wars 

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader:

Owen Lars:

Admiral Motti:

Let's test Darth Sidious' Return of the Jedi death:

Captain Lorth Needa:

Yoda:

Han Solo:

Mace Windu:

Count Dooku:

Padmé:

Jyn Erso:

Supreme Leader Snoke:

Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo:

Captain Phasma:

Luke Skywalker:

Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious in The Rise of Skywalker:

  • Cause of Death: Disintegrated by his own force lightnings deflected by Rey - 4
  • Genre: Anyone Can Die. - 4
  • Body Found: Disintegrated. - 4
  • Reaction: And There Was Much Rejoicing. - 4
  • Last Words: You are nothing!! A scavenger girl is no match for the power in me!! I AM ALL THE SITH!!!. - 3
  • Characterization: The true Big Bad of the sequel trilogy, and eventually the Greater-Scope Villain of the whole Skywalker saga. - 1
  • When: The Rise of Skywalker, the finale of the Skywalker saga. - 4
  • "Died" and come back? Survived his fall in Return of the Jedi by sending his conscience in a cloned body. - 3
  • Average: 27/8=3.375: It is quite safe to say he is dead for good this time.

Princess Leia Organa Solo:

Ben Solo/Kylo Ren:

    X-Men 

Professor X, X3: The Last Stand:

Cyclops in X3:

  • Cause: Dropped a Bridge on Him (killed by Dark Phoenix) - 4
  • Genre: Comic book movie. 2
  • Body: None. He has a grave at the end of the film, but there doesn't seem to be a body to put in it - 3
  • Reaction: Surprisingly little.
  • Role: Regular: 2
  • When: Inapplicable
  • Revived: No - 4
  • Average: 3. Somewhat steep odds.

Deadpool in Deadpool 2note 

  • Cause: Sacrifice (with a power suppressor to make it stick even): 3
  • Genre: Comic Book movie: 2
  • Body: Complicated, but let's say at the morgue: 3
  • Reaction: Montage: 4
  • Last words: A ridiculously long, and repeatedly lampshaded, final speech: 3
  • Role: Protagonist: 1
  • When: Same Arc: 1
  • Revived: If we count all the injuries that would have killed a normal man that he suffered previously, then lost count: 1
  • Average: 2.25 He ends up revived shortly afterwards due to time travel

Vanessa in Deadpool 2

  • Cause: Stuffed in the Fridge: 4
  • Genre: Comic Book movie: 2
  • Body: Dead and Buried: 4
  • Reaction: It's Personal: 2
  • Last words: Oh Crap: 4
  • Role: Love Interest: 4
  • When: Same year (she dies in the first of the movie's two arcs): 2
  • Revived: no: 4
  • Average: 3.25 Wade uses Cable's time travel device to revive her in the credits

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