That description was somewhat apt, but only because we knew absolutely nothing aboutAvengers: Endgameyet.
And itsInfinity Warthat really makesAvengers: Endgameso satisfying, because the latter film truly is the culmination event.
Its also three hours long, three different movies in one, and the second-highest-grossing film in history.
Its a miracle of a thing, and this is the story of how it was made.
Of note:an early titleforEndgamewasAvengers: Infinity Gauntlet, but that was eventually changed toAvengers: Endgame.
So any sort of clever savings went out the window at that point.
Image via Marvel Studios
So the question is, is it early in the second movie?
Late in the second movie?
You notice the players left on the board are the O.G.
Image via Marvel Studios
It meant that we were likely going to bring people back late.
It cant be all things to all people.
We all went, ‘slow down.
Image via Marvel Studios
What does that mean?
That’s interesting,'" McFeely said.
“It’s absolutely within his character.
Image via Marvel Studios
When we asked, ‘Why would he let you?’
Because he did what he wanted to do.
It’s strong for him to do that.
Image via Marvel Studios
If I’m being consistent to his character, this is on the table.”
Well, if I travel back in time, this date would have gone much better.
Generally in a movie, ‘eh, that’s way too easy.’
Image via Marvel Studios
We couldn’t have Tony just invents a time machine," Markus said.
Indeed, early in the brainstorming process, Markus and McFeely discussed What If?
scenarios for all the different heroes, which would eventually morph into Act I ofAvengers: Endgame.
Image via Marvel Studios
What if we were able to show alternate versions of our heroes?
So we did call this the What If?
evolutions to play out in a grounded, realistic fashion.
*Marvel Studios “The First Ten Years” Class Photo
Front Row L to R: Sean Gunn (Kraglin), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Director Scott Derrickson, Executive Producer Trinh Tran, Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), EVP, Physical Production Victoria Alonso, Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Angela Bassett (Ramonda), Director/Actor Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts), Chris Evans (Captain America), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Executive Producer/Writer Stan*
It was pretty clear that the movie could not handle this weird success.
And then of course Assassin Hawkeye.
And she goes, Dont you take this away from her.
Image via Disney
I actually get emotional thinking about it, says McFeely.
And it was true, adds Markus, It was him taking the hit for her.
It was melodramatic to have him die and not get his family back.
Image via Marvel
And it is only right and proper that shes done.
The Tony Stark arc is the longest and perhaps fullest in the MCU.
We did pitch it out.
We went over to meet with him and we pitched it out to him.
A lot of the actors are not opinionated about what we do.
But obviously Downey came around to the idea.
Because I think its good for the characters.
But we also just gave you what you wanted.
But Ill tell you, its satisfying.
Hes postponed a life for fulfill his duty.
Thats why I didnt think we were ever going to kill him.
Because thats not the arc.
The arc is, I finally get to put my shield down because Ive earned that.
And these two ideas are beautifully executed over the course ofEndgame’s runtime.
And the longest shooting period that Marvel ever had.
And every day there was somebody new coming in.
There was never a dull in that sense.
“That’s why we did that photo then, because we had everybody there.
On the day it was just insane.”
And the idea felt resonant.
But it was just too many ideas in an overly complicated movie.
So it wasnt ringing to us and resonating with us on an emotional level.
Two key sequences also had to be reshot.
Originally, he just snapped his fingers without saying anything.
And we were in the editing room going, He has to say something.
This is a character who has lived and died by quips.
And we just couldnt, we tried a million different last lines.
Thanos was saying I am inevitable.
And were like, Get the cameras!
We have to shoot this tomorrow.’
I had dinner with [Robert Downey Jr.] like two weeks before we were supposed to shoot it.
And he was like, I dont know.
I dont really want to go back and get into that emotional state.
Itll take… its hard.
And crazily enough, Joel Silver, the producer, was at the dinner.
Hes an old buddy of Roberts.
And Joel jumps in and hes like, Robert, what are you talking about?
Thats the greatest line Ive ever heard!
You gotta say this line!
You have to do this!
The new scene was shot in January 2019 mere months before the films release.
“And it was the first time we had been on that lot together since then.
And how all of our lives had changed so dramatically from that first audition to that last shot.”
Avengers: Endgamewas released in theaters on April 26, 2019 and it surpassed all critical and commercial expectations.
The reviews were pretty uniformly rapturous, and the box office was downright monumental.
ButAvengers: Endgameis a movie that delivers on fan service without sacrificing organic emotional arcs.
Itcan’tbe like any movie ever made, because the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a franchise unlike any other.
And this concluding chapter is a massive, hugely entertaining, wildly emotional series finale with eye-popping spectacle.
And on top of all that, the characters emotional cores resonate throughout.
Next week, we dig into the making ofSpider-Man: Far from Home.
If you missed my previous How the MCU Was Made articles, tap the links below:
