Flashback to April 26, 2019. After a year-long wait, Avengers: Endgame finally hits theatres, bringing a 22 film arc to a stunning conclusion.
Unlike almost every other movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Endgame doesn’t play the classic Marvel fanfare during the opening title card. Instead, Traffic’s song “Dear Mr. Fantasy” plays, setting up the scene of Tony and Nebula stranded in space. Several fans noted the jarring change, especially given the circumstances of the last film. But now, thanks to the commentary track, we have learned that the jarring feeling was intentional.
At the very beginning of that commentary, which featured The Russo brothers along with writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, just after Hawkeye watches his family fade into dust, the filmmakers address the absence of the fanfare.
“Now this song was resonant for a lot of reasons,” Joe Russo said. “We felt like it was correct tonally, but we thought that the lyrics were appropriate for Marvel, and what it’s done and the expectations from giant pop culture films.”
“This being the climactic movie of the 22-movie run, it was nice to comment on our experience of these movies,” added Anthony.
McFeely then jumped in and asked about the relationship these songs have to the score, mentioning how Infinity War used little-to-no songs outside of Alan Silvestri’s composition. The Russo Brothers confirmed that the musical changes were one of many effort
“We did like the fact that it made things feel different, especially at that point in the movie,” Anthony said. It was an unusual choice. And the way that stood in contrast to Infinity War, it was important again. ‘Cause we’re trying to let people know right away that this is a different story.”
As the fanfare closed, Joe mentioned that the song was meant distinguish the film right off the bat from other Marvel features:
“Told from a different point of view in a different tone. And so that does distinguish it right off the bat,” said Joe.
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