Marvel’s new blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War, which opens on April 27th 2018, has the superheroes joining forces to attempt to stop a threat that is too big for any of them to handle alone … Thanos (Josh Brolin).
The despot of intergalactic infamy is on a mission to collect all six of the Infinity Stones, which will give him unbelievable power to destroy the universe – this leads to an historic showdown.
Disney brought together most of the superheroes for the press junket in Beverly Hills – Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America) is in New York doing a play. So with 24 members of the cast and crew on stage, appropriately hosted by Jeff Goldblum (Grandmaster, Thor: Ragnarok) each participant was asked one question.
So here are a few words from some of Marvel’s incredible cast:
Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark/Iron Man)
In this movie, Tony’s domestic life has changed. Can you talk a little about that, and are you in Avenger’s 4?
Robert: Pepper and Tony have clearly resolved their differences. It’s the exact opposite of where Tony has been physically and mentally before; but before long necessity intervenes in the form of Thanos.
Yes, (I’m in Avengers 4). We’ve already filmed it. I’ll have to see in the screening tomorrow. If I die tomorrow I’m going to be confused.
Don Cheadle (Colonel James Rhodes/War Machine)
Your character had somewhat of a tragic arch the last time we saw you in Civil War. Can you talk a little bit about preparing for Infinity War?
Cheadle: I think there’s always a lot of eye-candy and very dramatic things happening, big spectacular fights and amazing things that we see onscreen. And then it comes down to these characters in their inner-personal situations with one another and their personal journeys that they have.
Where it comes to Rhodey, I’m glad that this is something that’s carried through and wasn’t just dropped. It’s a line that actually goes through both of the films and comes into play in a very important way. It’s nice to have something that’s cohesive and continues and keeps me grounded and the character grounded.
Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
What scene did you find most challenging to film for this movie?
Hemsworth: The first day was what you’re seeing on the trailers, Thor meeting the Guardians. It felt like the first day of school for me. They all knew each other and I didn’t, so I was the new kid. I had some weird nervous butterflies floating around my body. But Chris Pratt gave me a big hug and all the butterflies flew out of my ears. That was a fun scene, to have a whole new dynamic and set of people to interact with.
This whole film for me I felt like a fan, meeting a lot of these people and characters that I’ve watched on screen and admired. To be on screen with them as Thor, but as Chris also, was pretty damned exciting.
Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord)
This is the first time the Guardians of the Galaxy characters are in an Avengers film. How does that make you feel?
Pratt: Marvel is doing something the fans have wanted from day one. It is happening and it’s really exciting for the fans, but also on a personal level for me. What an honor to be invited to this table. It feels really good, and I was so grateful for the opportunity.
Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
Talk a little about your journey as Loki?
Hiddleston: The whole journey has been completely beyond my expectations. The way in which the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been received and embraced by audiences around the world has been the most surprising source of delight for me in my career. I count myself very lucky as an actor to have had the opportunity to play a character that strikes a chord with audiences the way Loki does.
I am astonished that I’m still here. Loki has fallen through a wormhole and faked his own death and I honestly never expected to be playing this part for so long. I think many people can say that. The great privilege that I’ve had is working with every single person on this stage. The writing has been so great, they create these characters with such precision that what happens in the space between those characters is always unique and you’re guaranteed to see that (when you see the movie).
Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/The Hulk)
Ruffalo: Banner has been struggling with excitability because he is afraid to bring out the Hulk. He always felt like he was sitting on his emotions and sitting on his extremes, and in Thor: Ragnarok, he’s not always angry anymore.
So now, Banner’s able to have a little bit more of a human range as a character. He could get angry… he could get excited… he could get upset.
Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange)
You’ve said in interviews that you’ve read the script for this, but the Russo brothers are saying nobody has read the real final script.
Cumberbatch: I read a script; whether I read the script is for them to know and me to find out when I see the movie tomorrow. But whatever script you read it’s never the film, is it? It always changes. Whatever I read is not necessarily what you’re going to see.
Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man)
Has being a part of the Avengers universe sunk in yet?
Holland: I never in a million years would have dreamed that I’d ever be in one of these movies, let alone playing Spider-Man. It’s a dream come true for me to be part of it. I’ve grown up watching Robert Downey Jr., Chris Pratt and so many of the actors in the film.
For any young actor to be a part of this universe is a huge opportunity and responsibility. I’m just so proud to be a part of it.
Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa/Black Panther)
What is T’Challa’s evolvement since we last saw him in Black Panther?
Boseman: Captain America: Civil War set up Black Panther, and that film sets up one of the most important themes for Avengers: Infinity War, which is Wakanda has come out of hiding and its borders are being opened so that its assets and treasures can be shared with the rest of the world. There is a strong camaraderie between Captain America and Black Panther, which builds a certain amount of trust. It opens a door in T’Challa’s heart and creates a shift in him where he begins to try to trust outsiders.
I think we have a strong presence in the movie and it was great to have some of these people, I’m not going to say who, in Wakanda. But it is its own movie and it was great to go from what we did with Black Panther and bring some of that into Avengers.
Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon)
With such a star-studded cast have you had to fight for screen time?
Mackie: Well, a wise man once said, some men need an hour to make their presence felt, some men need thirty seconds.
Josh Brolin (Thanos)
From the trailer, it looks like you’re fighting everybody but that maybe you’re impressed with a few people. Who is Thanos most impressed with?
Brolin: I looked in the trailer like I was impressed by other people? Then obviously I didn’t do my job very well. 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.
Who was I impressed by? Anthony Mackie, and strangely enough it only took 25 seconds for me to be incredibly impressed by him! (everyone roars with laughter) Everybody has their weakness, and Anthony Mackie is Thanos’ weakness.
