Avengers: Endgame directors implore fans not to spoil the movie after footage leaks online

The directors of Avengers: Endgame want to ensure fans don't become cursed with knowledge before the film's highly-anticipated debut.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo on Tuesday pleaded with fans not to spoil the upcoming Marvel film for others "the same way you wouldn't want it spoiled for you." The Russos used the branded hashtag #DontSpoiltheEndgame, and their message was at the same time posted on various Marvel Twitter accounts dedicated to individual characters and movies in the series.

This message mirrored a similar letter the Russos posted in 2018 ahead of Avengers: Infinity War. But it's far more relevant this time around, as it came hours after massive spoilers for the film hit the internet, as reported by CNBC. Several minutes of footage leaked online, reportedly revealing crucial plot points of one of the most anticipated and secretive blockbusters in history.

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It's not yet clear what the source of this leak was, although Gizmodo notes the footage is subtitled in Arabic and appears to have been shot in a theater. This came a full 10 days before Endgame's theatrical debut. The movie hasn't yet screened for critics, and even cast members have said in recent interviews they haven't been allowed to see it yet.

Now, fans are desperately trying to avoid these spoilers, muting key words associated with the film on Twitter and even leaving social media entirely. Various Marvel communities on Reddit have also devolved into chaos, with moderators on the Marvel Studios Reddit community manually approving all posts to prevent spoilers from making their way outside of a sanctioned discussion thread. It won't be easy to duck the spoilers completely for more than a week, but those who have been awaiting this blockbuster finale for years will do whatever it takes.