Marvel Studios made us wait months for the first Avengers: Infinity War trailer, but they’re apparently trying to make amends by releasing the movie on April 27, 2018 rather than on May 4! In addition, although t Marvel Cinematic Universe installments in countries outside the US first, Infinity War will debut worldwide on a single date.
The early release was announced via a unique Twitter exchange between Marvel and Robert Downey, Jr. First, the studio asked fans how excited they were about Infinity War. RDJ then asked if it were possible to see it sooner.
The studio responded that he might be able to see Infinity War on April 27, but RDJ insisted that his friends – who turned out to be the entire world – just had to join him. At that point, the studio confirmed that they were going to release the movie on that date. Here’s the exchange, plus an updated poster!
On a scale of one to infinity, how excited are you to see #InfinityWar on May 4th? pic.twitter.com/72jYKj2ODG
"” Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 1, 2018
Any chance I could see it earlier?
"” Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) March 1, 2018
Anything for you, Mr. Stark! How's April 27th?
"” Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 1, 2018
Great. With friends?
"” Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) March 1, 2018
You mean these friends? @ChrisEvans @ChadwickBoseman @DanaiGurira @MarkRuffalo @DonCheadle @AnthonyMackie pic.twitter.com/8tKw3ziSVB
"” Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 1, 2018
The entire world?
"” Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) March 1, 2018
That's a FANTASTIC idea! Done.
Avengers: #InfinityWar in theaters everywhere April 27th. pic.twitter.com/n5JhJWpnqc
"” Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 1, 2018
You guys wanted it. You got it. See you there April 27th. pic.twitter.com/DsllNH2ko6
"” Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) March 1, 2018
Of course, Marvel and Disney had reasons beyond just making the fans happy for the change in release date. For example, the movie will now arrive three weeks ahead of the release of Deadpool 2, which was guaranteed to have an impact on Infinity War’s third-week gross. The change has made it possible for fans to repeatedly view the Russo Brothers flick before they head out to see David Leitch’s offering.
The new release date also allowed for an additional week of marketing for Solo: A Star Wars Story. Releasing worldwide on the same date will enable Marvel to keep some major spoilers under wraps. That didn’t matter a great deal in the past, but it would have been unwise to be complacent this time around. After all, this is Infinity War!
UPDATE: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel also shifted the release date for their untitled August 7, 2020 release to July 31, 2020. Plus, they scheduled six additional untitled installments for May 7, 2021; July 30, 2021; November 5, 2021; February 18, 2022; May 6, 2022; and July 29, 2022.
