Clearly, you don’t mess with perfection, and in the case of Avengers: Endgame, that’s about as close to perfect as a superhero movie gets. That’s why, later this year, Marvel Studios will be re-releasing it in theaters to help get fans excited for that next Avengers film, Doomsday. And while we already knew a few things about the re-release, now we know it’s got so many new goodies for fans, Marvel decided to give it a new title.
The re-release is being called Avengers: Endgame: Encore, and it’ll be out on September 25. The presentation will include “a custom introduction, additional new footage, and a special end tag exclusive to Infinity Vision and IMAX releases.” So, basically, it’s a slightly extended version of the movie (yes, new footage is being added into the movie too), with an introduction setting everything up (our money is on Robert Downey Jr.) and then, finally, that special end tag tying the film to December’s Avengers: Doomsday. But the end tag is only in IMAX or in theaters certified for Infinity Vision. More on that in a second.
“The fact that we can enhance the story of Doomsday by bridging it to Endgame and these characters that we worked with for years [and] that we love so much and continue their story: It’s a really unique opportunity,” director Joe Russo said a few months back. He also called it a “critical companion story” and a “setup for what you’re gonna watch in December.”
“Encore” is a very appropriate addition to the title, too, because after grossing $858 million domestically and $2.8 billion globally, this is really just a victory lap for Marvel Studios, the Russo brothers, and everyone involved with Endgame. It also allows the film to potentially make some Hollywood history. If the film somehow grossed another $200 million, it would make Avengers: Endgame the first-ever $3 billion movie. Now, $200 million on a re-release seems like a long shot. What seems (at least slightly) more attainable is if Endgame grosses $125 million, it passes Avatar to become the highest-grossing film of all time. It’ll be fun to follow those numbers and see how it works out.
Since most fans will want the full Avengers: Endgame: Encore experience, they’ll be expected to seek out either IMAX screenings or ones in Infinity Vision, a special distinction Marvel has created for this film and Doomsday. What is that, exactly? Well, it’s a label Marvel will grant specific theaters that meet specific qualifications. Mainly screens that are at least 45 feet wide, have sound that is completely immersive, like Dolby Atmos or 7.1, and projection with “brightness levels reaching either 14 footlamberts in 2D and/or 6 footlamberts in 3D.” And, to be clear, these aren’t new theaters. They’re theaters you already go to, which will apply for the distinction. And, to date, more than 7,500 screens have done just that from every major exhibitor from all over the world.
Marvel is currently in the process of certifying those to make sure they qualify. And, when and if they do, they’ll be allowed to play Avengers: Endgame: Encore, which will be required viewing before Avengers: Doomsday on December 18. You can read more about Infinity Vision and eventually get tickets at infinityvisiontickets.com.
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