Where were you when Avengers: Endgame changed the Marvel Cinematic Universe? It’s a question people are still asking, as the path towards December’s Avengers: Doomsday depends solely on the memory of this particular entry. The end of the Infinity Saga cycle, and a massive box office draw, Endgame will return to theaters this September, in order to hype the world up for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
But before anyone thinks this is going to be some random cash grab, there’s more at work with this boisterous bring back. Everything from a new format to fresh changes is about to alter the MCU as we know it. You could even say it’s an event so big, it requires a new name for an old favorite.
Avengers: Endgame’s Infinity Vision Re-issue Has A New Title, Massive Demand
During a presentation at Barcelona’s CineEurope convention, the International Union of Cinemas saw breaking information released (via Deadline). Apparently the presentation went well, as it sparked “more than 7,5000 applications from global exhibitor screens looking for certification” on Disney’s IMAX-competing format “Infinity Vision.”
However, The Russo Brothers’ previous MCU swan song now has a new name to put on its tag at this September’s MCU reunion: Avengers: Endgame Encore. I’ll pause for a moment, so that Wikipedia editors, physical media enthusiasts, and confused Marvel outsiders can have a good shout.
Yes, the 2019 box office juggernaut where Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) ascends to heaven is going have an extra word on the marquee come this fall. Whether there will be some additional punctuation to further spice things up is not known at this time; but this Avengers news is more than just a branding tactic. Rather, it’s indicative of just what Avengers: Endgame Encore is bringing to the table.
Avengers: Endgame Encore Is A Literal Game Changer
What’s better than seeing Avengers: Endgame in Infinity Vision? Try experiencing a new version of The Russo Brothers’ capstone entry, in premium formatting! Courtesy of the report cited above, here’s what to expect from Avengers: Endgame Encore:
…Avengers: Endgame Encore will include a custom introduction, additional new footage, and a special end tag exclusive to Infinity Vision and Imax releases.
This new twist brings another unknown into question, as the extent of “additional new footage” coming from Avengers: Doomsday’s production is still unknown. It could be anything between the 25-minute longer International cut of The Shining (which is heading to Criterion’s The Complete Kubrick Collection) and American Pie’s 30-seconds longer Unrated cut. (Note to self: keep watch for a trailer to Avengers: Endgame Encore.)
Whatever Endgame Encore has up its super-suited sleeve, it’s enough to weave in fresh material that relates to Avengers: Doomsday. But as you’ll read in co-director Joe Russo’s overall pitch, these new beats serve a greater purpose. And with this great power comes an even greater question about what’s on the way.
Avengers: Endgame Encore’s New Footage Explained
While some may already compare Avengers: Endgame Encore to something like George Lucas’ numerous Star Wars: Special Editions, there’s actually a much more solid case for its existence. At least, that’s how things appear in this phase of the game. Coming out of Deadline’s April 19th coverage for this year’s Sands Film Festival, these remarks surrounding Joe Russo’s rationale for Avengers: Endgame Encore do paint a bold new picture:
It’s critically important to re-release the movie, and, in fact, we’ll be re-releasing the film with footage that is set in the Doomsday story that we have added to Avengers: Endgame. … It’s an opportunity to create a bridge from Endgame to Doomsday in a very unique way, and because the movie was so successful, we have an opportunity to re-release it. You don’t always get the chance to re-release because it costs money, so the fact that we can enhance the story of Doomsday by bridging it to Endgame and these characters that we worked with for years that we love so much, and continue their story: It’s a really unique opportunity.”
So rather than just issuing the picture with an Infinity Vision remaster that restores deleted scenes, The Russo Brothers are supposedly including entire moments of Avengers: Doomsday. If that’s the case, will we’ see those scenes again as Marvel Studios’ next team-up picture debuts around Christmas? That is yet another big question mark in the void, just waiting for an answer from The Watcher (or Kevin Feige).
At the very least, it can’t be said that Avengers: Endgame Encore is simply a push to retake the crown of highest grossing film of all time. Or at least it doesn’t seem that way at the moment. Audiences can start to decide for themselves on September 25th, when we’re all in the Endgame once more. Meanwhile, Avengers: Doomsday’s December 18th arrival will be the true test – which gives us all some time to keep talking this up through THS Movie News.
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