It’s coming. The “most ambitious crossover event in history” is almost here. And, while I might think the most ambitious crossover ever thing is a little heavy-handed, this is undeniably HUGE. On 26th April, ten years of interconnected storytelling will come together in Avengers: Infinity War, bringing together all the characters Marvel has introduced into their cinematic universe over the last decade. This brings with it many pressing questions. Who will live?? Who will die?!? And, perhaps most vexingly of all…how do I go about preparing for this?!?!?
They look prepared. Don’t they? I wonder what they did… / Photo Credit – Avengers: Infinity War
Last December, as The Last Jedi drew near, I wrote a post about my insane needlessly laborious crazy/masochistic love-driven, time-honored tradition of watching every film in a series before I see the latest installment. So, for The Last Jedi, that meant watching The Phantom Menace, Attack Of The Clones, Revenge Of The Sith, Rogue One, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, and The Force Awakens – one movie a night, every night, leading up to the premiere of The Last Jedi. I decided to double-feature Rogue One and A New Hope back-to-back (something I’d never done before) so that meant EIGHT DAYS STRAIGHT of Star Wars movie-watching. I busted my bum to make sure all my lessons were planned ahead of time and I was on top of my grading to allow for such an enormous time-suck. But I did it!
In that piece I also said the Marvel Cinematic Universe had grown too large for me to do this anymore. Instead, I focus on the films essential for any given character before seeing the new film. So, for Black Panther or Spider-Man: Homecoming for example, I just watched Captain America: Civil War the night before I saw the movie. For Thor: Ragnarök, I watched Thor, The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, and Avengers: Age Of Ultron on subsequent nights before opening night. You see what I’m talking about here?
He looks prepared too. But the right accessories will do that for you! That’s the certainty I’m looking for. / Photo Credit – Avengers: Infinity War
But now we’ve got Avengers: Infinity War coming out this month. I’ve got my tickets for Thursday, 26th April. But…what do I do as far as movie marathon preparation goes?
First, obviously, there’s the “Avengers Package.” Despite the growth of the cosmic and mystical sides of the MCU, the Avengers have been its clearly defined center for ten years. So this approach makes sense. It’s basic. Straightforward. It would be:
Monday April 23rd – The Avengers
Tuesday April 24th – Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Wednesday April 25th – Captain America: Civil War (because this is an Avengers film in all but name)
Thursday April 26th – Avengers: Infinity War (AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!)
Ahhh, back where it all began! They were so young then! / Photo Credit – The Avengers
However, for me, this seems to be a little negligent. While the Avengers have held the spotlight, I’d argue the Guardians films seem to be more essential narratively to Avengers: Infinity War for how they develop Thanos, Gamora and Nebula, and detail the history of the Infinity Stones. So we have the “Guardians Of The Galaxy Package.”
Tuesday April 24th – Guardians Of The Galaxy
Wednesday April 25th – Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Thursday April 26th – Avengers: Infinity War (AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!)
This one is the shortest of them all but it’s also guaranteed to be the most fun because OBVIOUSLY it’s centered around the Guardians of the Galaxy. Their films are – by far – the best the Marvel Cinematic Universe has put out. I love them. But both the Avengers and Guardians packages raise the question – are they enough preparation for a film as EPIC as Avengers: Infinity War? Am I phoning it in if I don’t do more?
We can’t leave out Nebula and Gamora! They are going to be so important to this movie! Um, at least I presume so. I can’t image them not being central. / Photo Credit – Avengers: Infinity War
Naturally, I could combine the two for the “Avengers/Guardians Package.” This is probably the shortest approach to Avengers: Infinity War that still hits all the MAJOR bases. I’d say this is the minimum required re-watching if I’m going to take this seriously and do things right.
Saturday April 21st – The Avengers
Sunday April 22nd – Guardians Of The Galaxy
Monday April 23rd – Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Tuesday April 24th – Captain America: Civil War
Wednesday April 25th – Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Thursday April 26th – Avengers: Infinity War (AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!)
Or I could kick it up a notch with the (admittedly more ambitious) “Origin Package.” Here I’d I revisit all the films that originally introduced us to these characters.
Monday April 16th – Iron Man
Tuesday April 17th – Thor (I’ve skipped The Incredible Hulk for obvious reasons)
Wednesday April 18th – Captain America: The First Avenger
Thursday April 19th – The Avengers
Friday April 20th – Guardians Of The Galaxy
Saturday April 21st – Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Sunday April 22nd – Ant-Man
Monday April 23rd – Doctor Strange
Tuesday April 24th – Spider-Man: Homecoming
Wednesday April 25th – Black Panther (provided it’s still in theatres)
Thursday April 26th – Avengers: Infinity War (AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!)
NOW WE’RE GETTING SOMEWHERE. These are more heavy duty marathons. It seems like we’re getting closer to what Infinity War needs. / Photo Credit – Avengers: Infinity War
However, to me, this road seems to lack development. You know? Yes, Iron Man is brilliant and it’s held up wonderfully over all these years. But it denies all the character development Tony goes through in Iron Man 3 and Captain America: Civil War. And Tony Stark isn’t really complete without that, is he? Nor is Cap fleshed out without his growth in Captain America: Winter Solider and Captain America: Civil War. And how can I not mention Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2? These films have the richest characters in the MCU and in Vol. 2 James Gunn and co. put character development center stage. If I’m ignoring where the characters have gone in my movie marathon, am I really preparing for Avengers: Infinity War? Or am I just watching some movies before I go see the new one?
So I guess the question is…do I just do it? Do I just commit and re-watch them all? This is, admittedly, crazy. I’ve never done a re-watch movie marathon close to being this ambitious. If undertaken, this would mean NINETEEN STRAIGHT NIGHTS of Marvel movie watching, no room for errors and no room to miss one and make up for it later. It would be an unforgiving pace and it would look like this:
Sunday April 8th – Iron Man
Monday April 9th – The Incredible Hulk
Tuesday April 10th – Iron Man 2
Wednesday April 11th – Thor
Thursday April 12th – Captain America: The First Avenger
Friday April 13th – The Avengers
Saturday April 14th – Iron Man 3
Sunday April 15th – Thor: The Dark World
Monday April 16th – Captain America: The Winter Solider
Tuesday April 17th – Guardians Of The Galaxy
Wednesday April 18th – Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Thursday April 19th – Ant-Man
Friday April 20th – Captain America: Civil War
Saturday April 21st – Doctor Strange
Sunday April 22nd – Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Monday April 23rd – Spider-Man: Homecoming
Tuesday April 24th – Thor: Ragnarök
Wednesday April 25th – Black Panther (provided it’s still in theatres)
Thursday April 26th – Avengers: Infinity War (AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!)
Doesn’t this seem better? With everyone coming together like this? Something about this just seems right… / Photo Credit – Avengers: Infinity War
As I look at that list…I think I have to do it. I’ve been working ahead in my lesson plans for weeks now, knowing I’d have some form of a marathon ahead of me. If there was ever a movie to deserve such an epic marathon, it has to be Avengers: Infinity War right? And, honestly, this may be the last time I ever attempt something like this.
Seriously. Think about it. As I’ve said, the MCU is getting too big for this to be practical and too diverse for it to be necessary. Plus, they’re putting out three movies a year, at least. So these mega marathons can’t always be a part of my Marvel movie prep (nor have they been for a while). And, honestly, I don’t think I’ll keep doing these for Star Wars either. As I wrote before (in my piece The Last Jedi and Star Wars’ Movement from Mythology to Folk Tale), the tone of the Disney Canon of films doesn’t mesh at all with Lucas’s stuff, at least not for me. They are fun in their own right and they’re doing their own thing…but it’s not the same. So I don’t see myself ever choosing (or needing) to re-watch all the Star Wars films again before I see future installments in the Disney Canon.
Um, Mom? Can everyone come over after school today to watch superhero movies? Please? We’ll get our homework done first! I promise! / Photo Credit – Avengers: Age Of Ultron
This leads me to two questions. First, is The Last Jedi the film I want to forever hold the honor of “Final Mega Movie Marathon Recipient”? Um, I don’t think so, no. Second, is Avengers: Infinity War likely to be worth the time and effort to do this? I think so, yes.
While they all haven’t blown my mind, I’ve yet to be disappointed by a single film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And we’re ten years in!!! That’s saying something. Each one has been fun in its own way. Each one has lovingly brought the characters I grew up reading about to the big screen with care and respect to the source material. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has earned this homage. They deserve it.
So…it looks like I’m going to do this. I’m going to try anyway. I have a week to enjoy myself and then – boom – every night for the next NINETEEN NIGHTS will be planned. Yikes. Okay…I can do this. As a wise man once said, “I have a plan. Attack.” I CAN DO THIS.
They have the right idea. The correct food – both during the marathoning and after, to refuel – is going to be essential for pulling this off. / Photo Credit – The Avengers
My Comic Relief 
About a month ago I started in chronological order with the first Captain America. I only have two left before the big one this month. This whole Marvel movie Universe deserves the time. It is so well put together. Enjoy your marathon!
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I’ve never tried it in chronological order myself! I’ve only ever done release order. Have you enjoyed it like that?!? I’ve always been curious. And thank you! I shall enjoy my marathon and I appreciate your encouragement too. Huzzah for the MCU!
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Yeah it has been good, I think any order is great though. I like how you broke it down into different categories. There can be a science to movie marathons.
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I’ve talked to a couple people at work who are planning on seeing ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ but aren’t major Marvel fans and I’m like, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa…you need to invest TIME here!” Then I try and convince them to do one marathon or another so my heart doesn’t break when they see this :).
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I can’t believe I read this whole thing. Not that it wasn’t great, but Marvel doesn’t hold my interest that much anymore…but I had to find out what you were going to do.
I think this is crazy. But then again, people have said that about me + Star Wars. That said – the part I think is crazy is not so much the movies you’re watching, but that you’re doing it consecutive nights in a row. I guess that’s the fun part for you; for me- that’s the crazy part. I couldn’t even do my Star Wars watching every night! I had to split it up on weekends.
But, I tip my hat to you. And let us know how it goes.
P.S. I really liked Guardians 2 but I read a lot of complaints. Any idea why the hate?
P.P.S. I clearly missed something but why does Black Widow have blond hair??? I read the comics in high school and LOVED that she’s a redhead. So either a) I missed something in one of the movies, or b) I missed something in the comics in the past 13 years.
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After ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Steve, Natasha, and several of the Avengers went underground. So I bet that’s how they’re selling it – Natasha’s blonde because she’s been in hiding. But I think in reality she has blonde hair for the same reason Thor has short hair now and Cap has a beard. I think everyone said, “Um, hey, we’ve been playing these characters for ten years now. Can’t they just kind of look more like how we do in real life? Please?” I’m with you though – it throws me off. I miss her red hair and Thor’s long hair! Cap’s beard I’m still undecided on…
As to ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2,’ I have no idea why people dislike it. I think it was a perfect sequel, even surpassing the original in many ways. I wonder if it threw people because of the emphasis Gunn placed on character development as opposed to just focusing on a bigger, badder villain as per the usual for superhero sequels. I don’t know. But I thought it was brilliant, fun, and everything I wanted it to be.
Also, I 100% agree with you that the consecutive nights thing is crazy. As a person, I tend to commit and when I commit I tend to OVER commit :). But it’s one of those things I can challenge myself to, not having kids. I think if I had little people who I had to, you know, keep alive, it might be too much. But without having kids I can absolutely try and (potentially) make myself nuts in the process!
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Oh, so no real reason (yet) for the change of hair color? Okay, I didn’t know if it was official or not.
And, I would totally not do consecutive nights even if I didn’t have a child. Movies are not my “thing” so to say. I love getting in bed at night and reading a book so I could see myself dreading watching a movie every night – and that would defeat the purpose! Can’t wait to see what you think by the end of it!
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I haven’t heard any official reason for the red-to-blonde move, no. As to the marathoning, I hope to do little posts with thoughts/insights as I go. We’ll see whether or not that happens…and whether or not it breaks me in the end :).
While I’m excited for the marathon, I am thinking about my free reading time! I’m doing a lot of that this week, knowing my nights will be largely built around the MCU for the rest of the month.
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It sounds crazy but your post reflects exactly why a full-on marathon is the only way to prepare.
This is 10 years in the making and if I didn’t have summer exams looming I think I’d have to do the same. It would be wrong to neglect even one. Good luck my friend!
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Thank you! I appreciate your endorsement and justification of my madness :). I find myself getting more excited about the idea too.
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I think it’ll really help boost the viewing experience of Infinity War. It will act as a reminder of how far these characters have come as a family and make any monumental changes all the more profound.
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Okay, I simultaneously love your comment about them growing as a family…and am also saddened by it. I’ve been trying to prep myself for losing some of them BUT I CAN’T. And you’re right – the marathon will totally underscore any sort of major shakeups. Great point!
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That’s because your life is meaningless without me being a constant, everyday presence in it. You have to fill the void with “stuff” that will never rise to my awesomeness. Peter Quill would agree.
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I think you’re right. Peter would advise my spending more time with someone who’s kind of an a-hole but not (and I’m quoting here) 100% a dick. That is where true awesomeness can be found!
Also, “Filling A Jeff-Shaped Hole” is the title for either a really good country song or a really heavy emo song.
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The other way to do it is to just let Mike watch them all for me and I’ll go see the film anyway without doing the marathon.
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We can oral tradition this!
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Agents of Shield? Daredevil? Agent Carter? Jessica Jones? Iron Fist? Luke Cage? The Defenders? The Punisher?
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Sadly…we all know those shows have no real connection to the film side of the MCU. Although, I have been thinking about doing a major Netflix marathon this summer and going Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Daredevil Season Two, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, The Punisher, and Jessica Jones Season Two. I think that could be an emotionally exhausting and brilliant few weeks!
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I want to know more about that last picture…is it real or from a set? Because my first thought was that I didn’t believe all the actors were eating that much food considering their skin tight costumes!
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That’s the end credits scene from the original ‘Avengers’ movie. After the battle with the Chitauri, Tony comes to and says, “All right, yay! Hurray. Good job, guys. Let’s just not come in tomorrow. Let’s just take a day. Have you ever tried shawarma? There’s a shawarma joint about two blocks from here. I don’t know what it is, but I want to try it.” So the post-credits scene was all of them sitting around eating at the shawarma place after the Battle of New York.
Fun fact: Cap’s sitting that way because Chris Evans had already grown out his beard again before they filmed it so he put his hand on his face so he wouldn’t have to shave again.
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Hi Michael,
Let it begin! Have fun, brother. We will be there in spirit. Yes, I am with you and certain marathons are too much and some are doable.
Oh, you got to Star Wars piece? We can talk later.
See you,
Gary
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It’s been so far, so good! I’m eleven days in and I’ve hit everyone so far so I’m feeling pretty good. I’m even starting to think about trying this AGAIN next year with ‘Avengers 4.’ I’m clearly feeling cocky :).
As to the Star Wars piece, I’ll give you a call and we can chat then! It’ll be easier than going through the comment message thread.
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Sounds great. I left you a text.
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Doing th BIG BRADSCRIBE MCU COUNTDOWN, so HAVE to rewatch all th 18 movies anyway.
Wondering where War will fit into this chart – Top 3, surely…?
Btw, your “Mega Marvel Movie Marathon” was such a mega title, got any groovy ideas about what to call my countdown?
Cheers!
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I just found out today my local theatre will still be playing ‘Black Panther’ the night before I see ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (YES!!!! WOO HOO!!!) so I’ll be able to do the marathon in its entirety. And THAT is a good feeling :).
As to a name for your countdown…hmm, let me think. It’s a little late right now so I’m not as lucid as I could be. I’ll brainstorm and see what I can offer tomorrow after a good night’s sleep.
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Black Panther is now 3rd Most Successful Movie Ever, so no reason why it shouldn’t still b playing!
I look forward to hearing th results of your brainstorming
All th best! I hope 😉
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