Marvel omitted Danai Gurira’s name from ‘Endgame’ poster, and fans weren’t happy
What started out as an exciting day for Marvel fans later turned sour for many.
On Thursday, Marvel Studios released another trailer for the highly anticipated “Avengers: Endgame” movie, and fans of the action-packed film series were positively giddy.
— Wajahat (@Waj_Rizvi) March 14, 2019
» 'Whatever it takes': Marvel releases new trailer for 'Avengers: Endgame'
Later the same day, the official poster for the movie was released. It didn’t take long for many to notice something was missing.
Here's your first look at the new poster for Marvel Studios’ #AvengersEndgame. See it in theaters April 26. pic.twitter.com/pNXSy0x8lI
— The Avengers (@Avengers) March 14, 2019
"While we are all hype about the new trailer for 'Avengers: Endgame,' something about the film's official poster has left a bad taste in our mouths," Shadow and Act wrote on its website.
Though nearly every featured actor on the poster was given top billing, there was one famous face featured with their name nowhere to be found on the poster.
Danai Gurira — Okoye in “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War” — is shown next to Captain Marvel, but the actress’s name is missing across the top.
There are people pointing out that Danai Gurira's name IS on the new Avengers poster at the bottom, but that just makes it stand out even more that her name was intentionally excluded from the names at the top. #AvengersEndgame
— Ryan (@tvisgreat) March 14, 2019
Really does look like Okoye’s thinking “Yeah great, so you headline mention every other person on the poster except me” https://t.co/CWVznrBJYi
— ReadItDaddy (@Readitdaddy) March 14, 2019
she is the only black woman on that poster, the highest profile post-snappening wakandan, a firm fan favorite, and freaking actual DANAI GURIRA to boot. put some respect on her name, damn.
— Bim Adewunmi (@bimadew) March 14, 2019
BLACK PANTHER star Danai Gurira is the only actor pictured whose name isn’t billed at the top. Her image is larger than some actors who do get that billing. The only one from the franchise’s best and most profitable movie, and yet? @MarvelStudios, this isn’t difficult. Fix this. https://t.co/22miymysgj
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) March 14, 2019
» Where Marvel stars like to hang out in Atlanta
A few hours later, Marvel shared a new poster, this time with Gurira’s name coming before Bradley Cooper, who voices Rocket Raccoon, and Josh Brolin, who plays Thanos.
“She should have been there all this time,” Marvel said in the post.
She should have been up there all this time. Check out the official Marvel Studios' #AvengersEndgame poster. @DanaiGurira #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/5V1veWMxlz
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 14, 2019
In addition being a Marvel superhero, Gurira portrays the fierce katana-wielding Machonne on "The Walking Dead," which is shot in and around Atlanta. She is also a playwright, activist, artistic director of AlmasiArts.org, founder of Love Our Girls and a U.N. goodwill ambassador.
» Report: Danai Gurira (Michonne) leaving 'The Walking Dead'
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
