Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige originally wanted the core characters to die in Avengers: Endgame.
Avengers: Endgame was a standing ovation-worthy finale for not only the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but also for the core characters who shaped the franchise. The finale was bittersweet, with many characters passing and retiring, allowing the future generation of heroes to take their places. It turns out, however, that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige originally had a very different ending in mind for the heroes he helped shape.
The recently-released The Story Of Marvel Studios book details the various production histories of the Marvel films, all the way back to 2008’s Iron Man. The book also features interviews with key Marvel personnel, including Avengers: Endgame co-director Joe Russo. When it came to the behind-the-scenes history of the finale, Russo revealed in the book that Kevin Feige originally wanted to off the main six Avengers.
“Kevin’s initial pitch was that it was Toy Story 3 – a ‘they’re all gonna jump into a furnace together’ concept,’ reveals Joe Russo. The brothers’ pushback was that there was no possible way for the story to be able to take the time to celebrate each one of them. And that, for the fans, it was an impossible scenario to walk out of the theater and process.
It’s not hard to see why Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige wanted to go the Toy Story 3 route as it is an emotional cathartic end. That being said, the finale of Avengers: Endgame is pretty much perfect as is, so we’re glad the Russo brothers gave their input.
Here is the official plot synopsis for the Marvel Studios film:
The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, “Avengers: Endgame.”
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Endgame stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin.
Avengers: Endgame is available on Digital HD, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming on Disney Plus, while Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will hit theaters on February 17, 2023.
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Source: The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (via ScreenRant)