After surprise 'Avengers: Endgame' leaks, Russo Brothers beg internet #DontSpoilEndgame

Spoilerphobes assemble! Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo issued that rallying cry on Twitter earlier today after four minutes of footage from the final chapter in the current phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe leaked online. It was a shocking, and entirely unwelcome, breach in the super-team’s otherwise formidable security apparatus. Surreptitiously recorded on an iPhone during what appeared to be a theatrical showing of the completed film (the location hasn’t been confirmed, but the reported presence of Arabic subtitles suggest it might have been somewhere in the Middle East), the spoiler-heavy footage was uploaded to YouTube and Reddit — among other social media platforms — and instantly set off alarm bells at Marvel Studios and amongst its passionate fanbase.

The content of those four minutes won’t be revealed here, but they involve some major revelations from Endgame’s climax. Meanwhile, a separate spoiler leak has outlined some of the events of the film’s first act. Select South Korean audiences saw 20 minutes of Endgame at a press event in Seoul, and extensive summaries quickly went up on Reddit.

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In the wake of these back-to-back leaks, the Russos penned an open letter to the internet at large requesting fans’ assistance in keeping the movie’s many secrets until everyone can see it for themselves on April 26. “Please know that the two of us, along with everyone involved in Endgame, have worked tirelessly for the last three years with the sole intention of delivering a surprising and emotionally powerful conclusion to the Infinity Saga,” the duo wrote. “Because so many of you have invested your time, your hearts, and your souls into these stories, we’re once again asking for your help.”

The Russos’ bosses at Disney used Mouse House muscle as well, rushing an all-new featurette onto YouTube that caught viewers up on the Avengers story so far, and then showed off some never-before-seen moments from Endgame in order to keep fans from seeking out the moments they weren’t supposed to see.

Even before the Russos issued their statement, fans took it upon themselves to preserve the integrity of Endgame, castigating those who helped spread the major secrets that have been revealed in the past few days. Some have even vowed to leave social media entirely if that’s what it takes to walk into the theater completely spoiler-free.

For their parts, the Russos aren’t demanding that people delete their Twitter accounts. Instead, they simply hope that audiences will demonstrate the same kind of common courtesy that the Avengers (sometimes) show towards each other. “When you see Endgame in the coming weeks, please don’t spoil it for others, the same way you wouldn’t want it spoiled for you,” their letter says, in closing. “Remember, Thanos still demands your silence.” Put another way, there’s a good reason why the Spoiler Stone isn’t one of the Infinity Stones.

Avengers: Endgame opens in theaters on April 26. Visit Fandango for showtimes and tickets.

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