Robert Downey Jr. waves to reporters during a press conference to promote “Avengers: Endgame” in Seoul on April 15, 2019. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. said Monday that his past 10 years with Marvel superhero films have given him “life-changing experiences.”
“I have seen you and some of you hold this cinematic universe close to your heart, and (it) has a kind of symbolism and stuff. It’s really come to be that way for us,” the actor said in an Asia junket event here for his new film “Avengers: Endgame.”
“Now I honestly feel like I am glad to be part of witnessing this cultural moment that’s coming up.”
With the upcoming film set to hit local screens on April 24, Marvel Studios will bring to an end its sensationally popular “Avengers” saga.
“Endgame” is a “combination” of the 22 films produced under the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) brand, which has played out since the release of “Iron Man” starring Downey in 2008.
Looking back on the years of filming the acclaimed “Avengers” and “Iron Man” series, he said “It’s about relationship … Jeremy and I have become fathers since we started doing this together.”
“We had all these life-changing experiences, so I wanna thank Korea and fans for the opportunities for us to continue our friendship and careers with these characters for so long,” he said.
Back in 2008 when he started out with “Iron Man,” he would be allowed only one microphone, Downey said half-jokingly, holding two microphones to talk to the media.
“It’s bigger than the sum of its parts,” he said, referring to the MCU. Asked to project where the MCU may head after the closure of “Avengers,” however, he said, “It’s impossible to predict what’s going to happen.”
“When I came here in 2008, it was an emerging attempt to start the cinematic universe with this emerging market, and I feel like the MCU and Korea have just completely synergized and grown up together.”
Actress Brie Larson poses for photos during a press conference in Seoul on April 15, 2019, to promote “Avengers: Endgame.” (Yonhap)
The Marvel films shaped life-changing moments for Brie Larson as well, with her Carol Danvers role in the recent Marvel film “Captain Marvel” stirring up debates about misogyny.
“Carol taught me so much — I always labeled myself as an introvert with asthma — (while) training, in particular, learning judo, learning how to box. I trained for nine months before I started filming the movie,” she said.
“It changed my brain, it changed the way I carried myself and it strengthened my voice … So it was a great honor to be able to share that character with the world with the hopes that others could get some of that as well through the screens.”
“I think she is the symbolism representing the importance of representation, the importance of female stories and the female journey,” she said of her Carol character. “It’s about equality at the end of the day.”
Actor Jeremy Renner attends a press conference in Seoul on April 15, 2019, to promote the new movie “Avengers: Endgame.” (Yonhap)
Jeremy Renner, who plays master archer Hawkeye, said he loves the creative, wild ideas actively shared among MCU followers about what may or may not happen in future Marvel films.
“I just love that people are really that invested in the emotions and the characters in the decade of the movies that have come out. I am proud of being part of it,” he noted.
The Russo brothers, who jointly directed “Avengers: Endgame” following their successful production of “Avengers: Infinity War,” said the series resonates wildly for its focus on the power of community and realistic depiction of evil sometimes triumphing over good
“You rarely have a moment in movies where a bad guy wins, but unfortunately in life there are many moments that we have to suffer like that,” Anthony Russo said.
“We had an opportunity with this movie to really commit to this idea of telling the story where a bad guy wins. Certainly there are difficult things about it, but I think there’s also cathartic things about it for the audiences as well.”
“There seems to be a wave of nationalism sweeping the world right now, which ultimately to us represents individualism,” Joe Russo said.
“What’s fascinating about these movies and (why) they resonate is because they are about a sense of community, despair and a group of characters coming together to stand up against a common enemy,” he said.
“We love all the positivities that come from the fans talking about how much they love these films and characters because ultimately what they represent is connecting people. I think art is best when it connects people and can create dialogue and conversation,” Joe Russo said.
“Endgame” starts where “Infinity War” left off: Thanos, played by Josh Brolin, swept half of all life, including half of the superhero team of the Avengers, off the universe, and the remaining Avengers and their allies reassemble to stand up against him.
Driven by its powerful storyline, “Infinity War” was a rare hit as a foreign film here, becoming the second-biggest box office success among non-Korean films following “Avatar.”
The American film will be released first in Korea on April 24, before hitting U.S. screens on April 26.
(Yonhap)
