LAS VEGAS – “Avengers: Endgame” doesn’t arrive in theaters for another 23 days, but that didn’t stop Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios from providing one of the few extended sneak peeks at the highly anticipated blockbuster during their busy CinemaCon presentation. None of the talent from the film were on hand (the Russo Brothers were en route to accept an award tomorrow), but the footage shown likely wet the appetites of theater owners hoping for returns at the same level as last year’s “Avengers: Infinity War.”
For those who prefer not to have any other details from the film spoiled, this is your last warning to avoid them.
The footage began in Avengers Headquarters where Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johannson), James Rhodes, aka War Machine (Don Cheadle), Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) are discussing how to handle the fallout after the tragic events of”Infinity War.” Danvers says they should go after Thanos, get the stones and reverse what he’s done. Rhodes isn’t against the plan but wants to know where Marvel was all this time when they needed her. She replies something to the effect that not every planet in the galaxy has heroes like the Avengers.
Nebula then reveals that when she was still loyal to Thanos he would often talk about where he’d go after his masterplan was completed. Rhodes jokes that Thanos had “a retirement plan.” Rocket throws up a three-dimensional computer map on the meeting table which shows that Earth was “ground zero” when Thanos snapped his fingers whiping out half of the universe’s population. A wave went out into the universe from that point on. Just a few days earlier, he’d picked up a similar wave on another planet which likely meant Thanos had used the stones again. In theory, they know where to find him.
Thor gets up and stands facing Marvel in a moment already seen in a trailer, but now in context at its proper length. He puts his hand up waiting for Stormbreaker to land in it. When it does Danvers doesn’t flinch. She looks at him with a slight smile. Thor looks to Rogers and Romanoff and replies, “I like this one.”
Cut to the entire team in what appears to be Rocket’s repaired ship. Both he and Danvers are in the pilot seats. Rocket asks who has never flown in space before. Rogers, Rhodes and Romanoff raise their hands. Rocket hopes they don’t throw up when they make the jump. Nebula calls the jump out and the stars stretch, an image we can see in the reflection of Rogers’ eyeball as his eyes widen at the experience.
The footage then cut to black with the film’s release date.
It is worth noting that besides the fact no talent was on hand, either was Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios. No announcements were made regarding future Marvel Studios films in terms of production or release dates.
“Avengers Endgame” opens nationwide on April 26.