Why Is Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame 3 Hours Long?

Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of twenty feature films, six seasons of a US network television series, three US television network miniseries, and twelve Netflix streaming miniseries. Given this expansive universe, wrapping up the saga required a meticulously crafted narrative, one that could not be compressed into a standard 1.5 to 2-hour runtime.

The Extended Universe and Character Frequencies

The Avengers series is an epic journey that spans over ten years, with twenty-two main films and numerous interlinked stories. Not every character from the previous films can make an appearance, but the sheer number of named characters involved in the This makes the runtime necessary. The film had to accommodate the endgame of the Infinity Stones collection and the final battle against Thanos, which logically necessitated a longer runtime. The Russo brothers, the directing duo behind Avengers: Endgame, meticulously planned to address this challenge.

Farewell to Shining Stars

Avengers: Endgame also marked the final movie for Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, giving the audience a prolonged farewell. Both actors had played their respective roles for well over a decade, and the time was taken to ensure their legacies were appropriately honored. The film needed to be substantial to give these characters the recognition they deserved.

Moreover, the storyline required a comprehensive examination of each character's development. Key events such as Iron Man's death, Captain America's retirement, Gamora's journey, the return of various heroes, and the rekindling of individual story arcs needed detailed exploration. Without the extra runtime, the complex storylines and character arcs would have been truncated or insufficiently developed.

A Vast Array of Storylines

The Avengers saga culminates in an intricate web of storylines that span the entire MCU canon. From Tony Stark's theft of the Infinity Stones and the subsequent fight against Thanos, to Hawkeye's family reunion, Steve Rogers' marriage to Peggy, and the return of Ant-Man's daughter, Cassie, and Captain Marvel's journey back to Earth, there were numerous untold stories that needed to be weaved into the narrative.

Satisfying the MCU Fan Base

With over twelve Netflix series and three television miniseries contributed to the Avengers: Endgame, the fan base was already well-prepared for an extended runtime. The risk of frustration was mitigated with the promise of a satisfying conclusion to the Avengers saga and the MCU as a whole. Fans were eager to see how the narrative concluded and how each character's story tied into the overarching timeline.

The Avengers: Endgame runtime was a calculated effort to ensure a cohesive and satisfying wrap-up of the MCU. While there were risks involved, the anticipation was high, and the fans were hopeful that the conclusion would be worth the extended runtime. After all, the narrative threads stretched over two decades of cinematic storytelling deserved a thorough exploration.

As I write this, I am excitedly awaiting the release of Avengers: Endgame. I am confident that the runtime will be justified, and every moment will be a worthwhile investment in the grand scheme of the Avengers universe. The film promises to be more than just a conclusion; it will be a celebration of a fandom's love for the characters and the storytelling that has defined the MCU.