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Famed Marvel Cinematic Universe directors Joe and Anthony Russo have moved on to other projects. But in honor of the first anniversary of Avengers: Endgame, they joined a live stream and shared a few stories with their fans. Discover which moment brought about an emotional reaction for them when they saw the movie alongside an audience.

Anthony and Joe Russo directed ‘Avengers: Endgame’

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo at the World Premiere 'Avengers: Endgame' on April 22, 2019
Anthony Russo and Joe Russo at the World Premiere ‘Avengers: Endgame’ on April 22, 2019 | Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

The Russo Brothers began their journey in the MCU when the directed Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They then went on to helm its sequel, Captain America: Civil War. Often thought of as more of an ensemble film than part of the Captain America trilogy, the Russo Brothers were deemed the perfect fit to take on the next pair of Avengers films.

First came Avengers: Infinity War, in which characters from the previous Avengers films, as well as the Guardians of the Galaxy and many more, all team-up. They fail in their quest to defeat Thanos. One year later, Avengers: Endgame was released. The film marked the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga, as well as their planned time as directors in the MCU.

They revealed new information in a virtual watch party

Endgame was, as fans know by now, an incredible success. It surpassed two James Cameron movies, Titanic and Avatar, to become the highest-grossing film of all time. But one year after its release, fans were in a very different place. Instead of attending an anniversary screening in theaters, everyone is stuck at home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

With the first film of the MCU’s Phase 4, Black Widow, delayed due to these circumstances, the Russo Brothers got in on an excellent plan. They live-tweeted and live-streamed as fans across the globe watched Endgame together via Disney+ or their own purchased copies of the film. And they shared some secrets along the way.

The Russo Brothers recalled one scene in particular that made them emotional

The Russo Brothers were able to offer up some new information while re-watching Endgame with the fans. But in addition to the plot-driven facts and more technical bits, there were also some more personal moments, like a behind-the-scenes clip of Brie Larson and Scarlett Johansson hugging.

The directors also commented on what made them emotional. “This was the last piece of score delivered on the film,” they said of composer Alan Silvestri’s score during the scene in which all of the heroes who were lost in Infinity War arrive at the battle via Doctor Strange’s many portals. “We all teared up when we saw it put to picture,” they added.

They even snuck into a theater and recorded audience reaction

Not only did the Russo Brothers feel the impact of that moment while they watched it during the filmmaking process, but hearing and seeing the audience reaction also touched them. At the end of the watch party, they published the above video, in which you can hear the very loud and excited cries of the audience at a screening.

“This was taken on Joe’s iPhone when we snuck into the Regency Village Theater at UCLA opening night. This is the scene where we teared up,” they wrote on their shared Instagram account. Now, more than ever, it’s nice to have this reminder of the power of cinema and the collective experience.

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