Actors given fake scripts to keep 'Avengers: Infinity War' story secret

“Avengers: Infinity War” boasts more than 20 superheroes and expects to storm the box office, but even its A-list cast didn’t know quite what to expect when the film got its world premiere on Monday night. Secrecy was key during filming on the Walt Disney Co. movie, which brings together almost every comic-book hero in Marvel’s cinematic universe for an all-out battle with supervillain Thanos. Most of the actors were given scripts for only the scenes they were filming, or given complete scripts that turned out to be fake, in order to prevent spoilers - particularly which characters may get killed off - from leaking out. The cast did not see the finished product until the world premiere in Los Angeles this week. “I kind of like that,” said Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Dr. Strange. “I like that we’ll be sitting in our own audience ... it’s just going to be a thrill to watch it for the first time. I’m genuinely really, really excited.” With outsize heroes, including Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Widow, Black Panther and the Guardians of the Galaxy, comes massive fan appeal. Analysts say the film could come close to, or even break, the $248 million North American box-office opening set in 2015 by “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” also from Disney. Barton Crockett, media industry analyst at B. Riley FBR, predicted a $238 million debut for the film, which would make it the biggest opening this year. “Avengers: Infinity War” starts its international rollout on Wednesday and arrives in U.S. movie theaters on Friday.