Avengers: Endgame’s entire script was shown to shockingly few people, only making the quality of the film more impressive than it already was.Avengers: Endgameis often considered one of thebest-ranked MCU movies, primarily due to how well it ended the Infinity Saga. FromAvengers: Endgame’s massive final battleto the stronger emotional hook it possesses over most other MCU ventures, the film still holds up to this day as an entertaining, fitting conclusion to Marvel’s first three phases.
In fact,Avengers: Endgameand its predecessor were so well-received that they are even having an impact onupcoming Marvel movies. Not only are big actors that last appeared inEndgamecoming back, like Robert Downey Jr., but the directing team of the film is coming back for thestory ofAvengers: Doomsday.With the Russo Brothers back in the realm of the MCU, details from their time helming the biggest superhero movie of all time are coming back into the spotlight. Surprisingly, one detail is that barely any actors read the script forAvengers: Endgame, making me even more impressed at just how good it is.
Avengers: Endgame’s Acting Is Some Of The MCU’s Finest
The Performances Eclipsed The Best Of The MCU
Firstly, it is worth exploring the fact thatAvengers: Endgamefeatures some of the best displays of MCU acting. Naturally, Robert Downey Jr. came away with the most plaudits, with some even calling for the actor to receive an Oscar nomination to typify just how important his role was to not only the film itself but the entire MCU. Beyond RDJ, though, other members ofAvengers: Endgame’s cast turned in fantastic performances. Jeremy Renner was a standout, with his tortured performance as Ronin in the movie’s first half excellently conveying his grief, just as he did later when Black Widow died.
Chris Hemsworth was just as good as Thor. Although Thor’s arc was a big source of humor in the movie, some scenes saw Hemsworth give brilliant emotional performances, namely when he speaks with his mother on Asgard. Chris Evans showed his acting chops in the movie’s opening too, especially during the meeting for survivors of the Blip. Finally, there was Scarlett Johansson, who gave one ofAvengers: Endgame’s best performances. Johansson is great as almost a linchpin of the film’s first half who reassembles the Avengers. Her death scene is then incredibly emotional, largely driven by Johansson’s amazing acting.
Most Actors Did Not Know The Full Story Of Avengers: Endgame
While the performances ofAvengers: Endgameare excellent in their own right, they are made even more impressive upon learning how few of the actors knew the film’s entire story. In an interview withRotten Tomatoesfrom 2019, the Russo Brothers revealed that they did not share the entire script with the full cast. In fact,only one actor involved inAvengers: Endgamereceived the entire script, and it is likely the one you think:“RDJ was probably the only one to actually read the entire script.”
The Russos went on to give details on how much of theAvengers: Endgamescript some other big MCU actors received.“I think Benedict [Cumberbatch] got the script that included his scenes only. Maybe [Chris] Evans might have read the script.“Interestingly, even the Russos did not know whether Chris Evans had read the entire script or not, summing up just how tight a hold the executives of Marvel Studios had on the situation. Learning this, though, I am even more blown away by how goodEndgame’s performances were.
It is somewhat of a miracle that the performances of the MCU movie were so good, given that a large majority of the actors did not even know the entire story…
As actors, it would make sense for each performer to want the entire script of any movie they are performing in. For instance, some moments from the end of the script could be indirectly attached to earlier scenes, emotionally or otherwise. This could change how they want to play certain scenes, yet the secrecy overAvengers: Endgame’s script would not allow for that. Therefore, it is somewhat of a miracle that the performances of the MCU movie were so good, given that a large majority of the actors did not even know the entire story.
Going beyond the quality ofAvengers: Endgame’s performances themselves, it is worth exploring why exactly so many of the actors did not see the script. One reason could simply have been the avoidance of spoilers. After all, MCU actors have been known to spoil major moments from some of the biggest Marvel movies at different points. WithAvengers: Endgamealso being a cinematic event unlike anything else ever released at that point, it would make sense for Marvel Studios to want to safeguard spoilers as much as possible.
Ultimately, the Russos gave this as the reason for hiding theEndgamescript from some actors. In the same interview, Anthony Russo stated:
“Part of our motivation to do that is it just takes a lot of pressure off of people. It is hard to constantly censor yourself about what you’re saying, how you talk… The inclination is to talk about it. So we take a lot of pressure off of people by just saying, OK, the less you know the less you have to mind yourself.”
Thankfully, this gambit from the Russos paid off. While some hints were given regardingAvengers: Endgame’s story, the movie was mostly unspoiled at the time of its release. A big reason for this was likely the tight security of the script, allowingAvengers: Endgameto remain a meaningful cinematic experience for fans, and incidentally making its emotional performances even better than they already were.
