Top 10 Avengers: Endgame Fan Theories That Were Wrong
#10: All “Infinity War” Deaths Will Be Reversed
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Even if you never read the “The Infinity Gauntlet” storyline, it’s no secret that comic book characters rarely stay dead. When Thanos eradicated half of all life in the universe, fans figured that everyone would return by the conclusion of “Endgame.” All the snapped victims are indeed brought back, but “Endgame” doesn’t completely retcon the events of “Infinity War.” Everyone who perished before the snap is still technically dead, leaving the fates of Loki, Gamora, and Vision intact. Although the God of Mischief doesn’t pull off another resurrection, the 2012 version of Loki does escape custody in the alternate timeline. Likewise, the 2014 version of Gamora travels to the present day to lend a hand in the fight against her father. So, we haven’t necessarily seen the last of these fan favorites, even if their deaths weren’t reversed.
#9: Scott Lang’s Not at the Front Door
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Given his link to the quantum realm, it was always clear that Scott Lang would play a key role in “Endgame.” This was further confirmed in the film’s official trailer, which closes out with Scott standing outside the Avengers’ base, asking to be buzzed in. Since trailers can be deceiving, though, various fans jumped to the conclusion that this clip was a red herring. They theorized that Scott got stuck in the past and the footage of him standing outside the front door was, in fact, an achieved message, with many noting what looks like the year “1983” written at the top-left of the screen. Maybe it was even a Skrull disguised as Scott. Fans were overthinking this one, however, as it turns out Scott is just standing at the door. Sometimes the most straightforward explanations are also the most accurate.
#8: Nebula Defeats Thanos
Although Thanos subjected Nebula to unspeakable torture, she remained loyal to her adoptive father for years. In “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” however, she finally vows to kill the Mad Titan. Taking their complex relationship into consideration, many fans thought it would be poetic justice if Nebula were to kill her abusive father. Perhaps she might even retrieve the Infinity Gauntlet like in the comics. Of course, the source material also sees Nebula go mad with power upon acquiring the gauntlet, making the situation infinitely worse. None of this happens in “Endgame,” as it’s Tony Stark who snaps Thanos out of existence. While Nebula stays on the virtuous path, the whole universe is nearly doomed when she encounters her dastardly past self.
#7: Bucky Barnes Becomes the New Captain America
One way or another, fans presumed that Steve Rogers’ days as Captain America were numbered. Although Rogers is the OG Cap, he’s not the only one who’s wielded the star-spangled shield in the comics. In “The Death of Captain America” story arc, Bucky Barnes inherits the mantle Rogers left behind. The Winter Soldier seemed destined to follow the same trajectory in the MCU. Instead of passing his shield on to Barnes, however, an elderly Rogers chooses Sam Wilson as his successor. This decision is met with approval from Barnes, who encourages Wilson to accept. It might not be what some fans were expecting, but this still keeps in line with the comics, as Falcon has also assumed the title of Captain America.
#6: Snapped into the Soul Stone
Seeing how Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man were among the snapped victims, we all knew that they’d have to come back somehow. One of the most popular theories suggested that the so-called “vanished” weren’t really dead, but rather ensnared inside the Soul Stone. After Thanos snapped his fingers, he’s momentarily sent to what appears to be Soulworld where he encounters a young Gamora. Although Thanos sacrificed his favorite daughter to attain the Soul Stone, it appears Gamora still exists in within it. Based on this scene, it wasn’t far-fetched to think that maybe the snapped characters were also transported to this realm. While the Soul Stone is integral to the plot of “Endgame,” time travel proves to be the only way to undo the snap’s effects.
#5: Thanos and the Avengers Join Forces
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Marvel has a tendency to spring surprise villains on the audience and since Thanos hadn’t been prominently featured in the trailers for “Endgame,” it was speculated that a new villain may obtain the Infinity Gauntlet. This might influence Thanos to join forces with the Avengers, paving the way for a redemption arc. Such a twist didn’t seem beyond the realm of possibility, seeing how Thanos does team up with several heroes after Nebula takes the gauntlet in the comics. Yet, it quickly became evident that this wasn’t the direction “Endgame” would take, as Thanos gets his head chopped off within the first act. When the past Thanos arrives in the present, he’s more determined than ever to stop the Avengers from foiling his plans.
#4: Death Rises
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Nebula was just one of a few characters pegged as surprise villains. Numerous fans pointed to Mistress Death as the film’s true big bad, which actually wouldn’t have been a huge surprise. After all, the carnage Thanos causes in the comics stems from his desire to win Death’s affection. Nevertheless, this theory always sounded a little iffy. The Thanos depicted in “Infinity War” seems convinced that his actions are for the greater good. If it were suddenly revealed that he wiped out half the universe to impress Death, it would’ve made his motivations far less complex. With that in mind, it’s probably for the best that this theory didn’t come true, although we are eager to see Death join the MCU somewhere down the line.
#3: Tony Stark Loses an Arm
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Almost every time Tony Stark appears in an MCU movie, one of his arms experiences some kind of trauma. Even when he personally isn’t on the receiving end of some arm-related trauma, it’s his suits that are getting their limbs amputated. This led fans to believe that Tony would lose his arm in “Endgame.” While using the Infinity Stones results in Tony’s demise, he doesn’t completely lose either of his arms in the process.
#2: The Introduction of Fox Characters
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It might’ve been a longshot, but the fact that “Endgame” was coming out only a month after Disney officially bought 20th Century Fox seemed quite telling. With such convenient timing, we were willing to wager that the Fox-owned Marvel properties would make a debut in “Endgame.” A cameo from Wolverine was maybe asking too much, but an Easter egg hinting at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters or Galactus’ arrival didn’t seem out of the question. It appears we’ll have to wait a while longer for these characters to cross paths with the Avengers. That being said, there’s plenty to look forward to going to Phase 4.
#1: The Death of Captain America
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We all had our theories on who would die in “Endgame,” but Captain America was at the top of virtually everyone’s list. Steve Rogers’ survival in “Infinity War” only supported the general consensus that Cap was on his last leg. Captain America is not only the leader of the Avengers but a beacon of hope. This tragic death thus seemed inevitable, especially since the love of Steve’s life is already buried. Perhaps the biggest twist in “Endgame” is that Rogers doesn’t perish in battle. Instead, he travels back in time and lives a happy life with Peggy Carter, resurfacing in modern times as an old man. Considering the toll Tony’s death took on us, we’re not sure if we could’ve handled Cap’s death too.
