With a threat like Thanos knocking on your doorstep, would anyone in their right mind crack jokes while facing a virtually unstoppable foe bent on wiping out half of all life in the universe?
If you've seen any of the trailers or TV spots for Avengers: Infinity War, then you'll already know that the answer is a resounding yes. However, Infinity War co-writer Christopher Markus explained that there's one, perfectly acceptable reason for snark and quips.
"Thanos helps, right? I’d have to chart the movie, but in general people with more investment maybe are a little less quippy. If you remember in “Civil War,” the people who stole the airport fight were Spider-Man and Ant-Man. That’s because they had a little less invested in that family brawl."
"As the movie starts it might be a little funnier because the full weight of what’s happening hasn’t dawned on people, but as characters come together, as stakes become clear… It’s a really intense movie. It’s fun, it’s epic, but it’s intense. My hope is that you get the full range of human emotions and less quips. It’s suffering and delight."
In short, don't expect any jokes or snarkiness from those characters who are actually familiar with who and what Thanos is capable of. And based on Markus' comments, the Earth-based characters will likely be grim-faced and dour by the time the credits roll.
Will Infinity War actually end with Thanos' victory? We're just 4 days from finding out when the film hits theaters this Friday.