'Avengers: Infinity War' banked on 'Black Panther' being a huge hit

HOLLYWOOD – Don't worry, no big spoilers here.

But at Monday night's massive, superhero-stuffed premiere of Avengers: Infinity War, we cornered Joe Russo, who directed Marvel's latest film with his brother, Anthony. We had to ask: Did Black Panther's runaway box office ($1.3 billion worldwide) affect the final edit of Infinity War? Surely they'd want to capitalize on the freshly launched franchise's success?

As it turns out, the Russos were already betting big on the Wakandans. 

"We had already locked picture (finished the film) by the time Black Panther was released," Russo told USA TODAY on the red carpet. "We had seen it, obviously, but T'Challa (played by Chadwick Boseman) and Wakanda were already an enormous part of this movie anyway. They're such a critical part of the Marvel Universe. They play a very important role in the film." 

And what of new breakouts like Shuri (played by Letitia Wright) and Okoye (Danai Gurira)? 

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"They are dispersed in an even amount with all the other characters," said Russo. "It's an approach where we try to be as even-handed and balanced as possible in presenting all the characters. Because when you show these movies, somebody in that audience, any of those characters could be their favorite character. And we knew we had two movies, too, to spread some storytelling out."

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Inside the Dolby Theatre, 26 Avengers assembled on a stage where Robert Downey Jr. served as master of ceremonies. And even Iron Man appeared to be swept up by Black Panther love.

"Wakanda forever!" Downey called out, arms crossed.

 "I can do (the salute) as an honorary black man," he deadpanned. "Tropic Thunder, 2008," joking about his role as a white method actor who plays a black soldier in the industry-skewering satire.

Contributing: Carly Mallenbaum