Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe can now watch Avengers: Endgame on repeat with it available digitally, and here is every reveal from the commentary track with directors Anthony and Joe Russo. At this point, one may be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't seen the 22nd MCU film. The build-up to the Avengers: Endgame's release was substantial and the discourse that followed mighty. The proof of the popularity that the film has around the world can directly be seen in the box office, as Avengers: Endgame is the highest-grossing movie of all-time.
While many have certainly seen the movie multiple times in theaters, most of them have just as eagerly been anticipating the Endgame's home release. Marvel has delivered another big marketing campaign hyping up the release and showing people what they'll get if they buy the film in 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD, or digital formats. Several Avengers: Endgame deleted scenes have already made their way online, as well as the usual MCU gag reel. Marvel even put the special Stan Lee tribute video in theaters as part of Avengers: Endgame's re-release push.
One of the special features that is included in Avengers: Endgame's home release, that hasn't been seen or heard before, is the audio commentary track. This was a highlight of Avengers: Infinity War's home release last year and came with the Russos and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely revealing several new details. The same is true for Avengers: Endgame, as the Russos, Markus, and McFeely all join forces again to discuss the culminating film of the MCU and their time with the franchise. Here is every reveal from the track.
Hawkeye's Family Scene Was Originally Infinity War's Ending
One of the first reveals that came from the commentary was confirmation on the opening scene of Avengers: Endgame initially being in Infinity War. Originally, the latter would cut to Clint Barton aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) with his family when the Decimation happens. Joe Russo said, "We thought it might be interesting to cut to a vérité scene between Hawkeye and his family. I believe we tried it in one cut of the film and looked at it and said, 'Oh that's never going to work. That's too disorienting.'" But, the decision was made to repurpose the scene for the beginning of Endgame instead, to take audiences back to that pivotal moment ahead of the Marvel Studios logo rolling.
Five Year Jump Helps Make Characters Complete
While the first twenty minutes of Endgame picks up shortly after the events of Infinity War, a five-year time jump then happens. The MCU time jump moved all of the surviving characters forward in different ways, and that was one of the main reasons the writers wanted to do this. Markus and McFeely felt that the passage of time allowed them to evolve the characters in new ways. The conversation comes during the early parts of the film when Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) is about to die. It's here that they discuss how he's not a complete character yet, but will be by the end when makes the sacrifice play.
Markus: "I think in this movie given the five year jump he finally knows what he's missing and gets it. And then gains resolution with his father. He's doing the right thing in the other movies, but he's not a complete person. By the time he gets to the third act of this movie, he is whole and can die."
McFeely: "Not to jump too far, but that's part of what the five years does is allows all those characters to get really close to being 'complete people' and ending their arcs."
How Captain Marvel Found Tony & Nebula
The team also then confirmed how Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) was able to find Tony and Nebula (Karen Gillan) out in the middle of nowhere. There were plenty of theories over how this was done, but Joe confirmed that Captain Marvel tracks a homing beacon on the Benatar. She learns of this when she visits Earth after receiving Nick Fury's page and sets off to save Iron Man and Nebula shortly thereafter. Joe notes that there is a missing narrative from what is shown in the movie. However, the implication is there based on the post-credits scene for Infinity War and the mid-credits scene for Captain Marvel.
Captain Marvel's Introduction Was Almost Different
Captain Marvel was always intended to be the one to find Iron Man and Nebula, but the filmmakers did consider not showing her right away. Captain Marvel's introduction was originally different. They discussed one version of the film that would've cut away from the Benatar before seeing that Captain Marvel was the one outside the ship. McFeely detailed the scene by saying, "The idea would be that there'd be orange light on Tony's face, he'd see something, the audience wouldn't see it." The movie would've then shown Avengers HQ shaking as it arrived. But, it wouldn't be until Captain Marvel is shown carrying the ship that audiences would learn who found Tony and arrived at Avengers HQ is a friendly and not an enemy. But, Joe said this idea was scrapped because "we felt like it was not a successful reveal."
Thanos Let The Avengers Kill Him
When Endgame does get back to its main threat of Thanos (Josh Brolin), the scene ends in a surprising fashion with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) beheading the Mad Titan. However, the death of Thanos did not come as a surprise to him, as Thanos let the Avengers kill him. McFeely said, "They only accomplish what Thanos lets them accomplish. He has finished his job and lets them kill him." Thanos is badly hurt during this scene and wouldn't be able to fight off the Avengers physically. But, this indicates he knew that this fate would come to him eventually, and soon once he destroyed the Infinity Stones.
Smart Hulk's Infinity War Scenes Revealed
One of the biggest differences between Infinity War and Endgame is the role of Bruce Banner aka Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). After being at odds with each other following the fight with Thanos, Hulk was absent from the rest of Infinity War. He did return in Avengers: Endgame but in a different capacity, as Banner merged his brain with Hulk's brawn, forming Smart Hulk. This wasn't always the plan though, as Smart Hulk was originally going to emerge during the third act of Infinity War. While it was previously revealed he would fight Cull Obsidian, the Endgame commentary came with an additional reveal. One of the scenes would've seen Smart Hulk burst through the bushes and encounter Black Widow, who would then start the "sun's getting real low" speech from Avengers: Age of Ultron. But, Smart Hulk would then begin speaking and convey that this was no longer an issue.
Nebula Doesn't Know The Soul Stone's Rules
One of the biggest reveals to come from the commentary track is that Nebula didn't know about the Soul Stone exchange on Vormir. Some thought she might know that the everlasting exchange of a soul for a soul was needed thanks to a line in Infinity War where she says Thanos went to Vormir with Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and left with the stone. But, the filmmakers revealed that this isn't the case. All she knows is that Gamora died on Vormir, but not that it was so Thanos could get the Soul Stone. This piece of clarification ensures that Nebula didn't allow Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye to go on their mission in Endgame knowing that one of them wouldn't return.
Endgame Writer Cameo Revealed
A quick reveal that came from the commentary was that Christopher Markus does have a cameo in Endgame. He has fun pointing out his brief appearance during the 1970 scene with Captain America and Iron Man at Camp Lehigh. It comes when Steve points out the secret bunker to Tony, and Markus is the first agent who enters the facility as Tony scans it. McFeely, who had a cameo in Infinity War, says that Markus crushed his small role.
Tony Stark Adoption Theory Debunked
The Avengers: Endgame commentary also came with confirmation that one theory about Tony Stark isn't correct. During the 1970 scene, Tony gets to interact with a younger version of his father, Howard Stark (John Slattery), who is leaving the facility to be with his pregnant wife. Tony seems somewhat surprised by this fact, which led to theories that this could have subtly been a reveal that Tony was adopted and that the child Maria Stark is pregnant with is Tony's secret brother. But, that's not true. Markus points out how unusual it is for a son to talk to his father who has a wife that is currently pregnant with that son. This debunks the Tony is adopted theory as it confirms Tony is the child Maria is pregnant with at this time.
Captain America Didn't See Peggy in 1970 in First Draft
The time travel plot allowed for more reunions than just Tony and Howard though. But fans may be surprised to learn the one between Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) in the same setting wasn't always planned. The reunion between Steve and Peggy is only one-sided, as he sees her through a window after stumbling across her office. The moment is used to remind Steve of the girl he has missed and see his picture on her desk, illustrating that she still thinks about him, too. But, McFeely said, "Our first draft did not have this. It would've been a shame. It's really lovely." Thankfully, the scene was added during additional passes at the script, which further set up Cap's decision to grow old with Peggy at the end of the film, after returning the Infinity Stones.
Snap Victims Almost Arrived Immediately at Avengers HQ
During the final act of Endgame, the team also discussed the thought process on when and how to bring back the characters who were snapped away during Infinity War. Hulk's snap did successfully bring them all back to reality, but they didn't join the fight against Thanos until halfway through. This was because Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) had to orchestrate the mass arrivals from around the universe, but another route was almost taken. McFeely confirmed they considered having all of the characters needed for the finale reappear at Avengers HQ immediately after the snap. But, this didn't allow for a heroic reveal and would break the logic of everyone else who disappeared returning safely to their last location.
Eitri May Have Created Thanos' Sword
The version of Thanos who is most prominently featured in Endgame is the one from 2014, and he has an entirely different overpowered weapon this time. Before he gets the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos used to strike down his enemies using a giant, double-bladed sword. The weapon debuted in Endgame and was able to hold back Stormbreaker (which was more powerful than the gauntlet) and break Captain America's vibranium shield. The origin of a weapon this powerful has been on the minds of MCU fans for a while. The commentary doesn't explicitly state where it came from, but Joe Russo did offer up a tease of what he thinks: "Well Thanos clearly knew Eitri." It'll take future MCU movies to confirm whether or not Eitri is responsible for the creation of this powerful weapon too.
Creators Want Alan Silvestri's Score To Be Oscar-Nominated
While the cast, writers, and directors have received plenty of praise and attention for their work in Endgame, one aspect that has somewhat gone overlooked is the incredible score by Alan Silvestri. His work with the MCU began with Captain America: The First Avenger and continued with The Avengers, but then his services weren't used again. That is until Infinity War and Endgame, where he returned to combine music from across the MCU. One of the best pieces of music he's done with Marvel is "Portals" in Endgame. So, when the theme started to play, the filmmakers took a few minutes to highlight the fantastic score. They came to the agreement that Silvestri's score should be recognized with an Oscar. The MCU is fresh off a win for Best Score thanks to Black Panther, so it would be a repeat in the category if this hope becomes a reality.
Tony's Eulogy Was Always Part of the Script
As much as the possible alternate versions of Endgame have received attention, one of the things that Markus and McFeely knew they wanted early on was Tony Stark giving his own eulogy at the end. Markus confirmed during the commentary that it was part of the first draft for Endgame. The most challenging part came in figuring out "how do we bring back the spirit and that lightheartedness that Tony always brought to these movies while not betraying the fact that he is in fact gone."
The eulogy plays over various scenes at the end of the film before returning to Tony's home where his family and friends are watching the message play. But, Joe revealed that the final and pivotal line he spoke was not added until later. He said, "We only came up with the idea for the 'I love you 3000' at the end of the movie in post." Downey recorded the line as part of his ADR sessions, which is why it is heard when Tony's face isn't shown.
Black Widow Didn't Get a Funeral Because of Her Solo Film
The commentary also included the filmmakers touching on Black Widow not getting a funeral in Endgame, which has been one of the more hotly debated topics from the film. While her fellow Avengers did grieve together after learning what happened on Vormir, that is the last time she's reflected upon before Hawkeye makes one more mention of it to Scarlet Witch. According to Joe, the decision to not put more of a focus on her death is because of the Black Widow solo film. Since audiences will see her again on the big screen in 2020, they figured it was best to focus on Iron Man's sacrifice since Downey is not expected to return at all.
