Capital told ‘get ready for Avengers premiere’

● Edinburgh vows to ‘roll out the red carpet’ for stars of new blockbuster

The makers of the new Avengers: Infinity War blockbuster have told Edinburgh to “get ready” for a huge premiere in the city that will have a starring role in the film.

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who spent seven weeks filming in the capital last year, have responded to an online campaign calling for a gala screening of the film in the city by telling their army of Twitter followers: “We’re on it.”

The Edinburgh International Film Festival patron Karen Gillan, who is in the new film, have already thrown their weight behind the campaign, launched by Stirling-based fan Mae Trumata.

Due to be released on 27 April, Avengers: Infinity War has been made by movie giants Marvel and Disney.

Thefilm,whichwillstarrobert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, is expected to be one of the biggest world box office hits of the year.

The biggest ever production to shoot in Scotland involved a 400-strong crew and was worth an estimated £10 million to the economy, with extensive filming on the Royal Mile, Cockburn Street and in and around Waverley Station.

Ms Trumata’s petition stated: “We’re petitioning to have a premiere in Edinburgh, as the city has contributed a lot to filming it. We think that this is the perfect chance to showcase what the city has to offer in terms of future Hollywood film productions and premieres. More importantly, it would be an honour and a great thank you to the city and its people, and the fans within the city.”

The directors responded to a tweet about the petition from another of the film’s stars, Dave Bautista, who plays Drax.

The Russo brothers told him: “Let’s do it, Dave. We’re on it. Get ready Edinburgh.”

Rosie Ellison, manager of the Film Edinburgh commission, which spent more than a year negotiating with the makers of the film before cameras started rolling, said: “We were very proud to host the T2 Trainspotting world premiere last year and equally proud to be chosen as the only location in the world outside of the studio for Avengers: Infinity War.

“We’d be delighted to welcome the filmmakers back to Edinburgh to launch the film here.”

Gavin Barrie, economy leader at Edinburgh City Council, said: “The movie will be a fantastic opportunity to promote Edinburgh to audiences all over the world, but you can imagine the buzz the Avengers and their allies would create if they reassembled for a special screening.

“We’re ready to roll out the red carpet if they are.”