Interesting fan theory behind Avengers: Endgame line

Words by Gregory Wakeman

WARNING: There are SPOILERS ahead for Avengers: Endgame. So if you still haven’t seen the blockbuster please don’t read on.

Instead, bookmark this article, go and enjoy the film, before returning to read the story behind one of its most popular lines.

Avengers: Endgame is already well on its way to being the defining movie of its generation.

But its not just because of its stunning box office haul, which has seen it break every record that has come in its way, or its equally impressive critical response, or the fact that it is the de facto conclusion to this phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s because it features genuinely emotional moments that instantly resonated and provoked tears from moviegoers. No line did that more than, “I love you 3,000,” which Tony Stark says to his daughter Morgan on several occasions.

In the aftermath of Endgame’s release Marvel fans instantly started to look into this memorable piece of dialogue more.

One rather analytical viewer took to the internet soon after its release to insist that he’d figured out why Tony said he loved Morgan 3,000 rather than 2,500 or 5,000. That’s because the combined running time for all of the 23 MCU movies that will eventually make up its first three phases is 3,000 minutes.

OK, we still have no idea how long Spider-Man: Far From Home will be, as it isn’t released until July, but it still adds an extra level of resonance to the line.

Unfortunately, though, the above is entirely coincidental. That’s because, during a recent interview with Chinese outlet Watching Hollywood, via Elite Daily, director Anthony Russo revealed that he and his brother Joe actually included the line after Robert Downey Jr told them that one of his children always says “I love you 3,000” to him.

They immediately recognised how powerful the line would be, and the reaction to it shows just how right they were to include it.

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