Follow us on a 30-hour theatrical Marvel marathon, finishing with ‘Avengers: Infinity War’

Tony Stark said it best: “It’s all been leading to this.”

“Avengers: Infinity War,” the culmination of 18 films that started with “Iron Man” in 2008, comes out Thursday. We are at the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard to join hundreds of other super-fans partaking in the Infinity War Marathon, a more than 30-hour endurance screening of 12 Avengers movies, back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to … you get the picture.

The marathon began at 1 p.m. Wednesday and stretches through the “Infinity War” premiere at 6 p.m. Thursday.

I’ll be following the Los Angeles Times’ Curiosity Correspondent, Benjamin Crutcher, as he experiences this cultural event.

We want to find out why these films are important to people. We have a lot of questions.

Why on Earth would they sit in a movie theater for more than 30 hours? How will the theater smell at the end? How hard will I cry if Captain America dies?

Join us on this discovery of epic proportions. And maybe, just maybe, we will discover something about ourselves along the way, like how much popcorn one human can consume before having to go to the hospital.

It’s over

Thursday, 9:25 p.m.

A little over 32 hours later, we have completed the Marvel movie marathon at the El Capitan. We are emotional for many reasons. Mainly with, “Avengers: Infinity War.”

Ben and I both loved it. We both screamed, along with the audience, numerous times. I’ll admit I cried. Ben won’t admit it, but he did.

Watch the video below to see how others reacted. SPOILER ALERT! There are some spoilers in it.

Thanks to the El Capitan Theatre and thank you all for going on this journey with us. We are honored to have you along.

The light at the end of the tunnel…

Thursday, 5:40 p.m.

This is it. It’s time. Nearly 29 hours later, hundreds of people are ready to finally watch “Avengers: Infinity War.” The excitement is palpable. Not a tired eye can be seen. We’re all ready to feast our eyes upon this film and have our lives changed forever.

We did it. Together. As a team. Just like Captain America wanted. Check out how people are feeling about finally seeing the film.

Black Panther is in the building

Thursday, 3:35 p.m.

If anyone was asleep before, they aren’t asleep now. Chadwick Boseman and Winston Duke, stars of 2017’s “Black Panther,” introduced their film at the Marvel movie marathon at the El Capitan Theatre.

So close to infinity...

Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

We are so close. So close to the film we’ve all been waiting for. So close to showers. So close to beds.

Never take the simple things for granted, people.

Tom Holland came out and talked the crowd into a frenzy before his film, “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” He did not dance to jazz music, which was disappointing.

The sun has never looked so good

Thursday, 6:45 a.m.

I’ve been awake for more than 24 hours and I’ve been at the El Capitan for 20. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” ended and I bolted to the nearest coffee shop.

My body is now mostly coffee and popcorn. I regret nothing.

Here is a short view of how we spent the night. But let me say one thing: People might be tired, but their excitement only grows for “Avengers: Infinity War.”

You can pose like a wrestler anywhere at 3:23 a.m.

Thursday, 3:23 a.m.

Sometimes, you just need to strike a pose in order to wake up.

‘Infinity War’ day is upon us!

Thursday, 1:20 a.m.

Realizing that we will be seeing “Avengers: Infinity War” today provided an ever so brief moment of excitement that brought with it a feeling of, well, it's hard to describe. Imagine feeling awake and like you have showered and not like you've been in a movie theater for more than 12 hours.

What is that feeling? I cannot remember…

But the theater staff is still excited, the popcorn stays fresh, and the El Capitan keeps bringing guests. Michael Rooker, a.k.a. Yondu, a.k.a. Mary Poppins, came out and woke the crowd up while introducing Movie 6 of 12, “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

A third of the way done and a Vision appears

Wednesday, 11:45 p.m.

It’s at this moment, I wish I wasn’t wearing jeans. And to be honest, they are tighter than they were when I arrived. That’s what a couple buckets of popcorn does to you, I guess.

Kids, let this be a lesson: Don't eat multiple buckets of popcorn in one day.

Also, always have stretchy pants.

“Avengers” just began and J.A.R.V.I.S. and Vision himself, Paul Bettany, came out and introduced the film.

Sebastian Stan introduces ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’

Wednesday, 8:45 p.m.

Two films down, nine to go

Wednesday, 7:10 p.m.

We are a little over a fifth of the way done with the Marvel movie marathon. Multiple buckets of popcorn have been eaten. Stomachs have been upset.

But spirits are still high! In fact, most people are getting more excited as time goes on. There are rumors of more special guests on the way, and I can guarantee, I will eat more popcorn. Please send antacids.

24 hours to go

Wednesday, 6 p.m.

We are one full day away from the first public showing of “Avengers: Infinity War.” Can you spot Ben in this movie theater standee?

The marathon begins

Wednesday, 2:20 p.m.

Costume contest winner

Wednesday 1:30 p.m.

Before the marathon began, El Capitan had a costume contest. Many dressed up in full costumes and lots of makeup. Many were worthy of the prize, but this young Black Panther stole the show and came out the winner.

EXCLUSIVE CLICKBAIT: How does ‘Infinity War’ end?

Wednesday, 1:10 p.m.

Clark Gregg, who plays Agent Phil Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, answers the most important question of the event: How does “Avengers: Infinity War” end? Spoiler alert: We’re 99% sure he is lying.

Movie-worn costumes on display

Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Not going to lie: Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner, got the short end of the costume stick.

The first person in line

Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Doors don’t open until 11:30 a.m., but Nicole Rojas arrived a little after 8 a.m. because she was too excited. Dressed as Mistress Death from the comic book series, she doesn’t expect the character to show up in “Avengers: Infinity War,” but is holding out hope she might surprise audiences with an appearance.

The marathon order

The marathon starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday and lasts until “Avengers: Infinity War” at 6 p.m. Thursday. The films will be shown in release order, not in the order in which the stories occur in the MCU timeline.

Watch order has become an interesting point of discussion among fans of these films, with many believing a chronological timeline is best to adhere to. However, only a small fraction believe watching many of them in a row at a movie theater with no sleep is a good idea.

Me? I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think it’s a great idea (drinks fourth cup of coffee today and it’s not even noon).

Marathon order: “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “The Avengers,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Doctor Strange,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War.”

What you need to know about “Avengers: Infinity War”

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Hey, I can’t wait to see the new Avengers movie but I’ve had to do a lot of things the last 10 years and I’m worried I don’t know what I need to before ‘Avengers: Infinity War.’” Well, let us help you! Check out our short explainer to get fully prepared for the new film.