Avengers: Infinity War
The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy face Thanos.
In 2018, Marvel Studios released *Avengers: Infinity War*, the 19th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a direct sequel to *The Avengers* and *Avengers: Age of Ultron*. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the movie brings together the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy in a race to stop the villain Thanos. His goal: collect all six Infinity Stones and use them to wipe out half of all life in the universe.
The project was first announced in October 2014 under the title *Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1*. The Russo brothers signed on to direct in April 2015, with Markus and McFeely joining to write the screenplay a month later. Their story draws from Jim Starlin’s 1991 comic *The Infinity Gauntlet* and Jonathan Hickman’s 2013 series *Infinity*. In 2016, Marvel shortened the title to *Avengers: Infinity War*. Principal photography began in January 2017 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Georgia, with a massive cast that included Josh Brolin as Thanos alongside many actors reprising their roles from earlier MCU films. Filming wrapped in July 2017, shot back-to-back with its sequel, *Avengers: Endgame* (2019). Additional scenes were filmed in Scotland, downtown Atlanta, and New York City. The budget fell between $325 million and $400 million, making it one of the costliest movies ever produced.
The film premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on April 23, 2018, and hit U.S. theaters on April 27 as part of the MCU’s Phase Three. Critics praised Brolin’s performance, the Russo brothers’ direction, the visual effects, action sequences, dark tone, and musical score. It was a massive box office hit, becoming the fourth film—and the first superhero movie—to gross over $2 billion worldwide. It broke numerous records, was the highest-grossing film of 2018, and at the time ranked fourth all-time both globally and in the U.S. and Canada. The film earned a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 91st Academy Awards, among many other honors. Its sequel, *Avengers: Endgame*, followed in April 2019.
**Plot**
After seizing the Power Stone from Xandar, Thanos and his lieutenants—Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian, Proxima Midnight, and Corvus Glaive—intercept a spaceship carrying Asgard’s survivors.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Anthony Russo · Joe Russo
- Producer
- Kevin Feige
- Screenplay
- Christopher Markus · Stephen McFeely
- Based On
- Avengers · Stan Lee · Jack Kirby
- Music
- Alan Silvestri
- Cinematography
- Trent Opaloch
- Editing
- Jeffrey Ford / Matthew Schmidt
- Studio
- Marvel Studios
- Distributor
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Released
- 23 April 2018 · Dolby Theatre · 2018 · 4 · 27 · United States
- Runtime
- 149 minutes
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film was announced in October 2014 as Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1. The Russo brothers came on board to direct in April 2015, and a month later, Markus and McFeely signed on to write the script, which draws inspiration from Jim Starlin's 1991 comic book The Infinity Gauntlet and Jonathan Hickman's 2013 comic book Infinity. In 2016, Marvel shortened the title to Avengers: Infinity War. Filming began in January 2017 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, Georgia, with a large cast consisting mostly of actors reprising their roles from previous MCU films. The production lasted until July 2017, shooting back-to-back with a direct sequel, Avengers: Endgame (2019). Additional filming took place in Scotland, the Downtown Atlanta area, and New York City. With an estimated budget of $325–400 million, the film is one of the most expensive films ever made.
Reader's Guide
Avengers: Infinity War premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on April 23, 2018, and was released in the United States on April 27 as part of Phase Three of the MCU. The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise for Brolin's performance and the Russo brothers' direction, as well as the visual effects, action sequences, dark tone, and musical score. It was a major box-office success, becoming the fourth film and the first superhero film to gross over $2 billion worldwide, breaking numerous box office records, and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2018 and the fourth-highest-grossing film at the time of its release both worldwide and in the United States and Canada. It received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 91st Academy Awards, among numerous other accolades. The sequel, Avengers: Endgame, was released in April 2019.
Did You Know?
- The film was announced in October 2014 as Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1 before being shortened to Avengers: Infinity War in 2016.
- Filming took place back-to-back with its direct sequel, Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Avengers: Infinity War?
It is the 2018 superhero film that marks the 19th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, helmed by the Russo brothers. The story follows the combined forces of the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy as they race to stop Thanos from gathering all six Infinity Stones.
What are Avengers: Infinity War's powers/role?
Its function within the franchise is to serve as the massive crossover event where every major hero team converges against a single cosmic threat. It acts as the narrative bridge linking the earlier Avengers films to the far-reaching consequences that follow.
Why is Avengers: Infinity War important?
It assembled the largest ensemble cast the MCU had seen up to that point and set the stage for the franchise's most consequential aftermath. The film also crossed the two-billion-dollar mark at the global box office and earned a Best Visual Effects nomination at the 91st Academy Awards.
Who wrote and directed Avengers: Infinity War?
Anthony and Joe Russo directed the project, while Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely crafted the screenplay. Marvel Studios produced the film with a reported budget somewhere between $325 and $400 million.
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