Ah true, LCL (thanks for correcting me).
I know, preview for third movie at end of 2.0 was so, so much different compared to actual way third movie was written. I heasrd some people speculating how things showed to happen in previewe at end of second movie might be part of entirely new movie after Rebuild movies ends taking place between second and third movie covering plotholes and unexplained things of what happened to earth and characters for past 14 years. Kinda makes sense?
Yeah i find it more likely that Mari is related to Yui and Shinji, Rei in some way rather than Asuka. It just seems illogical and out of place with there existing too many differences and implications of being more connected to Shinji existing out there.
Speaking of final impact i have strong suspicion how Asuka expose to Bardiel and that mysterious blue glowing eye under eyepatch might play big role in triggering whole thing and her statement "Lillith" at end of movie indicates to many people judging by speculation how she isn't completely human anymore and might even stop being one in case infection breaks out and possess her. At this point speculation, but that Angel sealing Hex Glyphes like think gives solid ground for such assumption.
But than sgain Mari piloting patched Eva fro two different models along with Asuka indicates how botgh might die, or one of them in order to prevent spread of infection and trigger of final impact. Shinji will definitely survive, though it kinda sucks how always others meet lot of suffering, cruel and painful death in end(which is why even though unlikely knowing under what emotional state Anno seem to be and his preference to in geberal ebding things ion undefined, depressing note i still hope how Mari, Asuka or Misato wont die again).