Jack Hanson
Student Life Editor
To so many fans, this is much more than another $12 movie, it’s the end of a chapter.
Beginning with the release of “Iron Man” starring Robert Downey Jr. in 2008, Marvel Studios developed what fans call the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) which only includes the storyline and characters of the movies produced by Marvel Studios. Not including “Avengers: Endgame” and “Iron Man,” Marvel Studios has produced 20 other films that have created stories and characters that connect to people all around the world.
Michael Fremeau, a student at Keene State, shared what he felt was unique about the MCU and what it can offer to fans. “Lots of entertainment, that’s for sure, but its made me almost look up to these characters and sort of admire them… I’ve always loved superheroes but the Avengers, that was just mind blowing,” he said. “I don’t want to say it made [superheros] more mature because they are still like, child-friendly movies, but it taught that there can be some serious moments in them. Like, [“Captain America: Civil War”] asked a very tough question. Like, if superheroes were real, should they be regulated by the government? [“Captain America: Winter Soldier”] was all about this spy thriller and kind of showed Captain America, someone who stood for a very symbol of American freedom, now start to doubt if he could trust his government… I like that they are asking tough questions sometimes.”
Dominic Cariglia, a sophomore at Keene State, said he has been a fan since since the first “Iron Man” movie, but really became involved after the first Avengers movie because he felt drawn to the characters and helped him find a passion for film in general. He said he also felt connections with several characters in the MCU and they have helped him see who he is. Cariglia said, “I’m a big action guy and seeing, you know, these big action movies is kind of what made me want to become a film major. So these movies had a really big impact on me because I love the characters and the action. It was Peter Parker in [“Captain America: Civil War”] when he said… ’The bad things happen, and you have a power, you can help. But it still happens, and it makes it feel like it’s on you,’ and I just want to help…”
Both Cariglia and Fremeau said they were beyond excited for the premiere and opening weekend but felt pressured to see it as soon as possible for the same reason: Spoilers.
“I wanted to avoid spoilers, that was literally it. I didn’t see [“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”] opening weekend and I got that spoiled for me. I almost got [“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”] spoiled for me and almost got [“Avengers: Infinity War”] spoiled for me and I could not let [“Avengers: Endgame”] be spoiled for me so I bought those tickets ahead of time,” said Fremeau.
For some fans in Hong Kong, China, spoilers were literally being yelled at them. An article on Deadline.com reports that a man was beaten outside a Hong Kong cinema for allegedly shouting out spoilers to fans waiting in line to see the film. Deadline said that Taiwanese media reported the man was left bloodied outside a cinema in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, after watching the movie.
Braeden Huot, a sophomore at Keene State who works at Keene Cinemas, said he sees fans overjoyed and excited going into the theater and that some people are even pushing others to get in. He then said “Avengers: Endgame” is the end of a story that fans deserve to have without it being ruined for them.
“Under the circumstances of it being Avengers, besides the fact that it was like a 22-movie series and people have waited so long to see this ending, I feel like spoiling in general is just a s—– thing to do,” Huot said. “I mean, people come to see this story and see this journey that people go on and you’re just going to tell them how it ends, and they are no longer going to be able to go on that journey that same kind of way,” Huot said.
On April 16, the directors of the movie Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, also known as the Russo Brothers, sent out an open letter worldwide to fans asking them to not spoil “Avengers:Endgame.” The letter was sent out after a series of leaked photos and scenes were seen on all social media platforms but a similar letter was also sent out last year prior to the release of “Avengers: Infinity War.” Part of the letter reads, “For all of you who have been on this journey with us since the beginning. Sharing every high and low with your family, your friends, your classmates, your co-workers. Investing so deeply in every character and storyline. Laughing. Cheering. Shedding tears. Giving so freely of your thoughts and emotions in spirited dialogue, theories, fan art, and fan fiction. Please know that the two of us along with everyone involved in ‘Endgame,’ have worked tirelessly for the last three years with the sole intention of delivering a surprising and emotionally powerful conclusion to the infinity saga…” The Russo brothers wish fans good luck viewing, but ask that they do not spread spoilers and added #DontSpoilTheEndgame to the end of the letter. The hashtag quickly went viral on social media, signifying the importance of the movie to so many.
As for a non-spoiler tease as to what fans can anticipate, Fremeau said, “It’s a very fitting conclusion. You get the action you want, you get the good scenes, you get the scenes that tug at the heart, yeah you get those scenes. You get so much, so much joy out of it.”
“Somethings just have to end,” said Cariglia. “I mean it’s obviously sad that we’re saying goodbye to some characters, but I think I felt very satisfied towards the end of it. I mean it wrapped up 11 years of what they’ve done, but I also feel like they’ve set up another 11 years with the end of this movie and different characters.”
It’s no mystery that fans are excited to see the Avengers’ rematch with Thanos in Endgame and the proof is in the profit.
The film started by making $120-140 million domestically from presale tickets sold online which, according to CNBC, broke Atom Tickets’ and Fandango’s first-hour and first-day records. In a statement from Disney, the film was reported to have made $350 million domestically for its opening weekend compared to its prequel “Avengers: Infinity War” at $257.6 million back in 2018. Disney also reports Endgame has made $1.2 billion worldwide in its opening weekend, which makes it the only movie in history to surpass $1 billion in its opening weekend. In an article published by Deadline.com they said, “At this level, film finance experts tell Deadline that the Anthony and Joe Russo-directed sequel will near cash breakeven tomorrow on Sunday, which is unheard of for a major studio tentpole during its opening weekend.” This means Disney could make back everything its spent on the movie in one weekend, and also make a huge profit in the next coming weeks.
“Spider-Man: Far From Home” is the next film in the Marvel Studios franchise and is scheduled to premiere on Friday, July 5, 2019 with preview screenings beginning on Thursday, July 4.
Jack Hanson can be
contacted at jhanson@kscequinox.com
