ANAHEIM — Even after debuting live action “Lion King,” “Mary Poppins Returns” and the “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” behind-the-scenes reel, Walt Disney Studios left a major surprise for the end of its D23 film presentation. Many assumed Marvel Studios would debut a new trailer for “Thor: Ragnarok” or potentially new footage from “Black Panther.” Instead, Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige presented almost the entire cast of “Avengers: Infinity War” and a jaw-dropping amount of footage that proves ‘Infinity War’ may be the blockbuster to end all blockbusters.
Production just reached the halfway point on ‘Infinity War’ and arriving from set were none other than Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Paul Bettany (Vision), Elisabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch) and Dave Bautista (Dax), among others. Oh, and how could we forget Josh Brolin who brings the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy together to fight the ominous and reality warping Thanos.
One-half of the film’s directing team, Joe Russo, was the last to walk on stage (Anthony Russo was on set minding the fort) and boy did he have something special for the audience of fans and assembled press.
Beware… massive spoilers ahead.
– Footage began with the Guardians coming across a large amount of wreckage in space. A body slams up against their windshield. It’s an unconscious Thor. They bring him inside and Mantis revives him. He doesn’t know the Guardians and it’s unclear what he’s been through.
– On Earth it appears the plant is being attacked from some exterior force. We see Scarlet Witch fighting against something.
– We see the hairs on Peter Parker’s arm rise as something is happening (spider-sense). Later we see him in what appears in a battle in the Spider-Man suit he turned down in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (or close to it).
– Shot of Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Bruce Banner, Star Lord (Chris Pratt) in what looked like Doctor Strange’s home.
– Earth ravaged by Tesseract ships.
– Black Widow (Scarlett Johannson) with blondish-white hair.
– Gamora (Zoe Saldana) with a sad, forlorn look on her face.
– Iron Man back in the Hulkbuster suit and in action.
– Captain America (Chris Evans) appearing with long hair and a beard.
– Quick shot of Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) in battle.
– Black Panther getting his forces together (possibly in Wakanda?).
– Loki (Tom Hiddleston) standing in ruins and raising the cosmic cube to someone with almost tears in his eyes.
– Thanos arriving on earth and easily knocking Iron Man away with one punch.
– Lastly, Thanos using the Infinity Gauntlet to pull the moon – or pieces of it down to earth.
Needless to say, the tease proved the next “Avengers” movie will be more epic than anyone could have envisioned and might even give Michael Bay blockbuster envy.
“Avengers: Infinity War” opens nationwide on May 4, 2018.