It's all led to this. After 18 films and a decade of Marvel films, the studio has put together one of the biggest crossover events in cinematic history: "Avengers: Infinity War."
The 19th movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe finds the Avengers paths with the Guardians of the Galaxy for the very first time, as they work together to take on Thanos, a mad god hell bent on destruction with the help of the six Infinity Stones. Though the studio is trying its best to keep spoilers hidden from what they call "the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time," the cast let a few secrets slip at the press conference for the film on Sunday in Beverly Hills.
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View StoryIn attendance and choosing their words very carefully: Dave Bautista (Drax), Paul Bettany (Vision), Chadwick Boseman (T'Challa / Black Panther), Josh Brolin (Thanos), Don Cheadle (James Rhodes / War Machine), Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr Stephen Strange), Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Winston Duke (M'Baku), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon), Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff/Scarlett Witch), Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/The Hulk), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier), Letitia Wright (Shuri), directors Anthony and Joe Russo and producer Kevin Feige. Sadly, Captain America, Chris Evans was MIA as he's currently starring in "Lobby Hero" on Broadway.
The event was hosted by the Grandmaster himself, Jeff Goldblum -- who RDJ called a "f-cking national treasure" -- which made for one epic hour of questions.
Here's what we learned from the crew -- we'll update this post in real time throughout the press event!
The first question went to Robert Downey Jr., who at first admitted that "Black Panter" is a better movie than "Iron Man." He was then asked if he'll be in "Avengers 4" -- his response: "We'll never know. If I die tomorrow, I'm gonna be confused. We'll see."
Don Cheadle was asked about War Machine overcoming over his injuries from "Civil War." "We always get to have these down notes in a good way. I think there's a lot of eye candy, big spectacular fight and then it comes down to these characters and their interpersonal relationships with each other," he responded. "I'm glad this is something that's carried through and wasn't just dropped. It's a line that goes into both of the films and comes into play in an important way."
Chris Hemsworth described meeting the Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time. "The first day was Thor meeting the Guardians and it was like first day of school for me, because they all knew each other," he explained. "I had some weird nervous butterflies floating around my body. I squeezed them out of me. Chris Pratt gave me a big hug and all the butterflies floated away. That was great though, having a new dynamic. This whole film for me, I felt like a fan. The be onscreen with them as Thor, but also as Chris was exciting"
Zoe Saldana talked about Gamora's journey facing off against her "father" Thanos. "We wouldn't be what we are if it wasn't for those emotional beats that all these relationships carry and that thread involves a relationship between parent and child," she explained. "I will speak on behalf of Karen Gillan's character Nebula, we had so much fun with that arc, the relationship that these daughters have with their father ... what it was like to have a dad who's so complicated."
Saldana was also asked how she felt about people of color getting more and more representation in the MCU. "I'm happy. I'm super super happy to be an American right now, to be in the entertainment industry," she said. "As actors, we just want to be given an equal opportunity to be able to be chameleons and connect with our audiences. I know what that means for our future generations. I have three sons and nothing is making me happier than to know they are going to inherit an influx of storytelling that represents them and makes them feel seen and heard. I'm just really happy about that."
Scarlett Johansson was asked about the fashion of the movie, something she understandably was not excited to answer. "I wear a leather unitard for this film and I have been for the past 10 years," she joked. "I have a new vest everyone, so that is pretty exciting. And I have a new hairstyle as well, if you haven't noticed already. It's a little bit polarizing. It was a choice I made and I'm sticking by it."
Tom Holland said he didn't actually get to wear Spidey's new suit while filming, instead joining Mark Ruffalo in an "man-canceling costume" and stood "amongst these gods" in a bodysuit instead. "I can tell you it will be amazing and I'm excited to see it."
Chadwick Boseman said "Infinity War" isn't "Black Panther 1.5," but was thrilled to see Wakanda get a spotlight. "I think we have a strong presence within the movie and it was great to have some of these people in Wakanda," he explained. "It is its own movie and it was great to go from what we did with Black Panther and bring some of that to Avengers, it was a relief actually. But it's its own thing."
Pom Klementieff said her character, Mantis, hasn't evolved much from "Guardians 2." She said the character "still has these childlike way of thinking and she asks a lot of questions and it brings some comedy and these movies need some fun, a little bit of innocence." She added, "I think she's gonna evolve a little bit more in the next one, but in this one she's kind of the same."
Josh Brolin was asked about Thanos looking impressed by some of the Avengers in the trailer, something which was met with shock. "I looked in the trailer like I was impressed with other people? Than obviously I didn't do my job," he joked. "Being a person of the color purple, and being naked on the set the whole time I was doing this in order to create a vibe of fear, I really thought that I scared everybody, but apparently not. Was there someone I was impressed by? Anthony Mackie."
Chris Pratt was asked about Peter Quill's reaction to meeting other Earthlings, but he wasn't about to spoil anything. "I think it might be best for you to see it, so I'm gonna talk a little about bass fishing," he answered, before giving some tips.
Baustista was asked to tease his character Drax's interactions with Thanos, who's responsible for the death of his family. "I can't answer it, I haven't seen the movie, haven't read the script, haven't read one of the fake scripts," he said, before referencing the fashion question asked of ScarJo earlier. "Back to my fashion sense, Drax, as you noticed, has been wearing the same ditty-ass pants from movie after movie after movie. I would like to wear a new vest. Unfortunately, Drax has sensitive nipples."
Winston Duke was asked about Wakanda possibly being destroyed in "Infinty War," something he obviously couldn't answer. "As you know, I can't say anything. I didn't read a script, I did not see anything and Kevin is in the room, trying to set me up on my second movie. Thank you," he answered. "It's going to be a fun adventure, you're going to enjoy it." ScarJo then interjected, joking, "But tell us, who made that fabulous jacket?"
Ruffalo was asked about bringing his environmental awareness to the set. "I drive a Prius. I wear hemp shoes. I try not to be that one person who's always going on about an issue, but I can't help myself," he answered. "I think more than anything, I've tried to use my time outside of the movies to make my friends know that it's safe to speak out about the things that they care about and that it's important for them and it's enriching as an artist. No matter what that thing is. In that way, I feel I can be the most impactful with this gift I've been given."
Olsen was asked about possibly getting a Scarlet Witch solo film, which she said she and Bettany often joke about. "I'm just happy that I'm still included," she added. "I don't need my own movie, just bring me back every time!"
Danai Gurira spoke about rumblings of an all-female Marvel movie, something she said she's heard rumors about but had no details whatsoever. "I was just thinking how excited I am about Brie Larson, who's shooting 'Captain Marvel' right now," she said, before speaking about more opportunities for women in the industry as a whole. "It'll make the world a better place. I'm looking forward to the future."
- Last, but not least, Sebastian Stan was asked about Bucky's characterization in the new film. "I think you see shades of the old, so to speak, Bucky. I guess the guy smiles finally," he said. "As far as accepted [by all the Avengers], I wouldn't go as far as saying that. I think he's seeing where his allies are, he's been enjoying the coconut water in Wakanda and everything else is just peachy."
"Avengers: Infinity War" hits theaters April 27. "Avengers 4" is due out May 3, 2019.