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| endgame [2025/08/17 16:01] – created xiaoer | endgame [2025/08/19 10:50] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== Endgame ====== | ====== Avengers: Endgame ====== |
| ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== | ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== |
| * **Core Identity: A culminating epic, "Endgame" refers primarily to the universe-altering Marvel Cinematic Universe event that concluded the Infinity Saga, but also echoes similarly named, though distinct, storylines within the Earth-616 comic book continuity.** | * **Core Identity: **Avengers: Endgame** is the epic cinematic culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Infinity Saga," chronicling the surviving heroes' desperate, time-bending quest to reverse the catastrophic actions of Thanos and restore balance to a devastated universe.** |
| * **Key Takeaways:** | * **Key Takeaways:** |
| * **Role in the Universe:** In the [[marvel_cinematic_universe|MCU]], //Avengers: Endgame// is the definitive climax of a 22-film narrative arc, resolving the catastrophic actions of [[thanos|Thanos]] and bringing closure to the stories of foundational heroes. In the comics, various "Endgame" storylines represent significant, but less universe-defining, turning points for teams like the [[avengers]]. | * **Role in the Universe:** //Avengers: Endgame// serves as the definitive conclusion to a 22-film narrative arc, resolving the central conflict established in [[avengers_infinity_war]] and providing finality to the character journeys of the original [[avengers]]. |
| * **Primary Impact:** The MCU's Endgame is defined by the "Time Heist," the reversal of Thanos's genocidal "Snap" (an event colloquially known as the "Blip"), and the heroic sacrifices of [[iron_man|Iron Man]] and [[black_widow|Black Widow]]. It fundamentally reshaped the MCU's status quo, paving the way for a new generation of heroes. | * **Primary Impact:** The film's central events—the "Time Heist," the reversal of "the Blip," and the final defeat of [[thanos]]—fundamentally reshaped the MCU's status quo, leading to the deaths and retirements of foundational heroes and setting the stage for the "Multiverse Saga." |
| * **Key Incarnations:** The primary distinction is one of scale and finality. The MCU's //Endgame// is a singular, saga-ending event. The comic book "Endgame" storylines are typically self-contained arcs that, while significant, do not represent the ultimate conclusion of the entire universe's overarching narrative in the same way. | * **Key Incarnations:** As a unique cinematic event, //Endgame// has no direct one-to-one adaptation in the comics. It instead masterfully synthesizes elements from decades of Marvel Comics lore, primarily borrowing the core conflict from Jim Starlin's ''[[infinity_gauntlet|The Infinity Gauntlet]]'' (1991) and thematic threads from Jonathan Hickman's ''Infinity'' (2013) and ''Secret Wars'' (2015) storylines. |
| ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== | ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== |
| ==== Publication History and Creation ==== | ==== Cinematic Development and Creation ==== |
| The term "Endgame" holds a dual identity in Marvel lore, one rooted in decades of comic history and the other a monolith of modern cinema. | //Avengers: Endgame//, originally titled //Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2//, was the product of a long-term strategic plan by [[marvel_studios]] President Kevin Feige. The film was announced in October 2014 as the second of a two-part finale to the MCU's Phase Three. Anthony and Joe Russo, who had garnered critical acclaim for their work on `[[captain_america_the_winter_soldier|Captain America: The Winter Soldier]]` and `[[captain_america_civil_war|Captain America: Civil War]]`, were brought on to direct both //Infinity War// and //Endgame//, ensuring a consistent vision and tone. The screenwriting duo of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, veteran MCU scribes, were tasked with the monumental challenge of weaving together dozens of character arcs and plot threads into a satisfying conclusion. |
| In the comics, the most notable storyline titled "Endgame" was an //Avengers// arc from 1995, spanning issues #390-395. Written by Bob Harras and Terry Kavanagh with art by Mike Deodato Jr., this story featured Sersi of the [[eternals|Eternals]] descending into madness and a conflict that drew in the Avengers, the Inhumans, and other cosmic players. While a dramatic arc, it bears no thematic or plot resemblance to the later film. The concept of a climactic battle against Thanos for the fate of the universe is drawn primarily from Jim Starlin's seminal 1991 miniseries, **''[[the_infinity_gauntlet|The Infinity Gauntlet]]''**. This series, along with its follow-ups ''Infinity War'' and ''Infinity Crusade'', established Thanos's quest for the [[infinity_stones|Infinity Gems]] (as they are known in the comics) to win the affection of [[death|Mistress Death]] and his subsequent defeat by a united front of Marvel's heroes. Jonathan Hickman's 2013 event, **''Infinity''**, also served as a key inspiration, particularly for the large-scale alien invasion of Earth led by Thanos's Black Order. | Filming for //Endgame// was conducted back-to-back with //Infinity War// throughout 2017 and into early 2018 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios, with additional filming taking place in various locations. The decision to film them together was made to manage the complex logistics of the massive ensemble cast's schedules. The script was a closely guarded secret, with many actors receiving only the scenes they were in, often with redacted or misleading information to prevent leaks. The film's final title, **Endgame**, was a subject of intense fan speculation and was not officially revealed until the release of the first trailer in December 2018. Released on April 26, 2019, //Avengers: Endgame// shattered numerous box office records, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time for a period, and was met with widespread critical and audience acclaim for its emotional weight, ambition, and cathartic resolution of the Infinity Saga. |
| In the cinematic realm, //Avengers: Endgame// is the 22nd film in the [[marvel_cinematic_universe|Marvel Cinematic Universe]] and the direct sequel to 2018's //Avengers: Infinity War//. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the film was the culmination of a narrative meticulously constructed since //Iron Man// (2008). The decision to split the story into two parts was made early in development to properly service the massive cast and the gravity of the plot. The film's production was a monumental undertaking, filmed back-to-back with //Infinity War//. Its title was a closely guarded secret, with fan speculation running rampant until its official reveal. The phrase "endgame" was first uttered in the MCU by [[iron_man|Tony Stark]] in //Avengers: Age of Ultron//, foreshadowing the immense threat he foresaw and his desperate attempts to prepare for it. | ==== In-Universe Origin: The Path to Endgame ==== |
| ==== In-Universe Origin Story ==== | === Comic Book Precursors (Earth-616) === |
| The events leading to "Endgame" differ radically between the two primary continuities, with one being a direct, cataclysmic build-up and the other a collection of unrelated crises. | While //Avengers: Endgame// is a unique MCU creation, its DNA is deeply rooted in several landmark Marvel Comics storylines. The most significant inspiration is undeniably **''The Infinity Gauntlet'' (1991)** by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim, and George Pérez. In this seminal event, the Mad Titan [[thanos]], seeking to win the affection of the cosmic entity Death, assembles the six [[infinity_gems|Infinity Gems]] (the comic equivalent of the Stones) into his gauntlet and erases half of all life in the universe with a simple snap of his fingers. The surviving heroes of Earth and cosmic champions, led by a resurrected [[adam_warlock]], mount a desperate assault on Thanos. Key moments from this comic, such as Captain America's solitary stand against Thanos and the eventual use of the Gauntlet by another hero (Nebula, in the comic) to undo the snap, are clear influences on the film. |
| === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === | However, //Endgame// diverges significantly. The "Time Heist" plot is an original concept for the film, though time travel is a common trope in Marvel Comics. The tone of //Endgame//, with its focus on loss, grief, and the long-term consequences of failure, echoes the more somber and complex storytelling of Jonathan Hickman's multi-year run on //Avengers// and //New Avengers// (2012-2015). Hickman's saga dealt with the Avengers facing universe-ending "Incursions" and being forced to make impossible moral choices, which informed the gravitas and sense of finality in //Endgame//. The imagery of Captain America's broken shield is a direct visual nod to scenes from both ''The Infinity Gauntlet'' and Hickman's **''Secret Wars'' (2015)**, where a similar sight symbolized ultimate defeat. |
| There is no singular "Endgame" event in the Earth-616 timeline that parallels the MCU's version. The closest analogue, the **Infinity Gauntlet Saga**, began not with a surprise attack, but with a calculated plot by [[thanos|Thanos]]. After being resurrected by [[death|Mistress Death]], Thanos was tasked with correcting a perceived imbalance in the universe: there were more living beings than had ever died. To court her, he embarked on a quest to gather the six Infinity Gems ([[soul_gem]], [[power_gem]], [[time_gem]], [[space_gem]], [[mind_gem]], and [[reality_gem]]). | |
| Once he assembled the [[infinity_gauntlet|Infinity Gauntlet]], his power became absolute. His first major act was the "Snap," instantly erasing half of all life in the universe. This act was not a surprise attack on Earth's heroes; many were already aware of his quest and attempting to stop him. The surviving heroes of Earth, led by a resurrected [[adam_warlock|Adam Warlock]], and the universe's most powerful cosmic entities (including [[galactus|Galactus]], [[eternity|Eternity]], and the [[celestials|Celestials]]) mounted a direct assault on Thanos at his cosmic shrine. The ensuing battle saw heroes and gods alike fall to Thanos's omnipotent power. The turning point came not from a "Time Heist," but from Thanos's own hubris. In his moment of triumph, he shed his physical form to become one with the cosmos, leaving the Gauntlet momentarily unguarded on his abandoned body. His bitter "granddaughter," [[nebula|Nebula]], seized the Gauntlet and undid his actions, leading to a further struggle for control of ultimate power that was ultimately resolved by Adam Warlock. | |
| === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === | === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === |
| The path to //Endgame// was a decade-long journey of escalating threats, culminating in the devastating failure seen in //Avengers: Infinity War//. The stage was set by Thanos's acquisition of the [[power_stone]] from [[xandar]] and his interception of the Asgardian refugee ship to claim the [[space_stone]] from the Tesseract. This act scattered the surviving Asgardians, including [[thor|Thor]], and sent the [[hulk|Hulk]] crashing to Earth with a dire warning. | The in-universe path to //Endgame// begins in the haunting final moments of [[avengers_infinity_war]]. After Thanos successfully assembles all six [[infinity_stones]] and snaps his fingers, "The Decimation" (later known as "the Blip") occurs, instantly erasing fifty percent of all living creatures. The film opens 22 days later, with the surviving heroes adrift in despair. Tony Stark and Nebula are stranded in space aboard the Benatar with dwindling oxygen, only to be rescued by [[captain_marvel|Carol Danvers]]. |
| Thanos's forces, the Black Order, descended on Earth to retrieve the [[time_stone]] from [[doctor_strange|Doctor Strange]] and the [[mind_stone]] from [[vision|Vision]], while Thanos himself journeyed to [[knowhere]] and [[vormir]] to claim the [[reality_stone]] and [[soul_stone]], the latter at the cost of his daughter [[gamora|Gamora]]'s life. Despite the fractured [[avengers|Avengers]] and their allies mounting desperate defenses in New York, Scotland, and Wakanda, they were outmaneuvered. | Upon returning to Earth, the remaining Avengers—Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner, Thor, James Rhodes, and Rocket Raccoon—track Thanos to his garden planet. They discover, to their horror, that he has used the stones a final time to destroy the stones themselves, preventing his act from ever being undone. In a fit of vengeful rage, Thor decapitates the weakened Titan, an act that provides no solace and only deepens their sense of utter failure. |
| The final confrontation in Wakanda saw Thanos arrive with five of the six [[infinity_stones|Infinity Stones]]. Even a newly-forged Stormbreaker, wielded by Thor, was not enough to stop him. Though grievously wounded, Thanos successfully acquired the Mind Stone from Vision and, with a snap of his fingers, accomplished his goal. Half of all life across the universe disintegrated into dust, including many of the Avengers themselves. The event, which would later be known as "The Decimation" or "the Snap," left the survivors in a state of shock and utter defeat, setting the stage for the desperate, time-bending mission that would define //Endgame//. | The narrative then jumps **five years forward**. The world is in a state of global mourning, struggling to move on from the cataclysmic loss. Natasha Romanoff has become the stoic leader of the fractured Avengers, coordinating with remaining heroes like Okoye, Nebula, and Rocket. Steve Rogers leads a support group for survivors. Clint Barton, having lost his entire family, has become the merciless vigilante Ronin. Thor has retreated into a reclusive, guilt-ridden, and alcoholic state in New Asgard. Bruce Banner has successfully merged his two personas, becoming the intelligent and powerful "Smart Hulk." |
| | The inciting incident for the film's main plot occurs when Scott Lang (Ant-Man), who was presumed a victim of the Blip, is randomly ejected from the Quantum Realm. To him, only five hours have passed. He brings his experience to the Avengers Compound, theorizing that the Quantum Realm's non-linear temporal properties could be harnessed for time travel. This sliver of hope galvanizes the heroes, leading them to recruit a reluctant and world-weary [[iron_man|Tony Stark]], who has built a quiet family life with Pepper Potts and their daughter, Morgan. After a night of wrestling with the impossible problem, Tony achieves a breakthrough, creating a workable model for navigating time via the Quantum Realm. The stage is set for the "Time Heist"—a desperate plan to travel to the past, retrieve the Infinity Stones, and use them to undo Thanos's decimation. |
| ===== Part 3: Timeline, Key Turning Points & Aftermath ===== | ===== Part 3: Timeline, Key Turning Points & Aftermath ===== |
| The narrative of //Avengers: Endgame// is a complex, multi-act saga of grief, hope, and sacrifice. Its structure can be broken down into five key phases. | The central plot of //Avengers: Endgame// is a complex, three-act structure centered around the "Time Heist." |
| === Phase 1: A Futile Revenge (The First 22 Days) === | === Act I: The Five-Year Despair and a Glimmer of Hope === |
| The film opens mere weeks after the Snap. The surviving heroes—including [[iron_man|Tony Stark]] and [[nebula|Nebula]], who are stranded in space aboard the Benatar—are grappling with their catastrophic failure. Tony and Nebula are rescued by [[captain_marvel|Carol Danvers]], who brings them back to the Avengers Compound on Earth. Here, the reunited team learns from Nebula that Thanos has traveled to a secluded planet, "the Garden." | The film's first act is dedicated to establishing the bleak new status quo. The universe is half-empty, and the heroes are broken by their failure. The pivotal moment is Scott Lang's return, which presents the theoretical possibility of a solution. The subsequent recruitment of Tony Stark is crucial; his initial refusal underscores the immense personal cost of re-engaging, while his eventual breakthrough provides the scientific means for their mission. The reunion of the original six Avengers (with Rhodes and Nebula) is a somber affair, defined not by bravado but by a desperate, shared purpose. |
| Driven by a need for vengeance and a slim hope of reversal, [[captain_america|Steve Rogers]], [[black_widow|Natasha Romanoff]], [[thor|Thor]], [[hulk|Bruce Banner]], [[war_machine|James Rhodes]], [[rocket_raccoon|Rocket]], and Captain Marvel track Thanos to his retirement planet. They find him weakened and alone, but their hopes are shattered when Thanos reveals he used the Stones' power to destroy the Stones themselves, preventing his work from ever being undone. In a fit of pure rage and grief, Thor decapitates the defenseless Titan, an act that provides no solace, only the grim finality of their defeat. | === Act II: The Time Heist === |
| === Phase 2: The Five-Year Jump === | The second act is the film's narrative engine. After Smart Hulk successfully uses the new time machine to bring back 2012 Hulk for a test run, the team formulates a plan. They will split into three teams to retrieve the six Infinity Stones from three different points in the past, chosen for their proximity to multiple stones. |
| The narrative leaps forward five years, revealing a somber and desolate world. Humanity is struggling to cope with the loss. Steve Rogers leads a support group for survivors, Natasha Romanoff grimly manages the skeletal Avengers' intelligence network, and Bruce Banner has successfully merged his intellect with the Hulk's strength to become "Smart Hulk." Other heroes have fared worse: Clint Barton, having lost his entire family, has become the vengeful, brutal vigilante Ronin, and Thor has retreated into a drunken, slovenly depression in New Asgard. | * **Team 1 (Tony, Steve, Bruce, Scott) - New York, 2012 (During //The Avengers//):** |
| The catalyst for change comes from an unexpected source: [[ant-man|Scott Lang]]. Trapped in the [[quantum_realm]] for the entire five years, he is accidentally released. To him, only five hours have passed. He rushes to the Avengers Compound with a revolutionary idea: if the laws of time are different in the Quantum Realm, perhaps it could be used for time travel. This sliver of hope is the first the heroes have had in years. They approach Tony Stark, now living a quiet life with his wife [[pepper_potts|Pepper Potts]] and their daughter Morgan. Initially resistant to risk his newfound peace, Tony's conscience and intellect get the better of him. He solves the problem of temporal navigation, and the plan for the "Time Heist" is born. | * **Mind Stone:** Steve Rogers cleverly retrieves the Scepter from [[hydra]] agents by whispering "Hail Hydra." |
| === Phase 3: The Time Heist === | * **Space Stone:** This part of the mission fails. The 2012 Hulk's rampage inadvertently allows the captured Loki to grab the Tesseract and escape, creating a branched timeline (which becomes the focus of the `[[loki_tv_series|Loki]]` series). |
| The plan is to travel back to specific points in time to "borrow" the six Infinity Stones before Thanos acquired them, bring them to the present, use them to undo the Snap, and then return the Stones to their exact moments in time to prevent creating catastrophic alternate timelines. The team splits into three groups. | * **Time Stone:** Bruce Banner visits the Sanctum Sanctorum and convinces the Ancient One to relinquish the Time Stone, promising to return all the stones to their exact moments in time to prevent catastrophic timeline branches. |
| * **New York, 2012 (The Battle of New York):** | * **Contingency:** Due to the loss of the Tesseract, Tony and Steve are forced to make an additional jump, traveling to a [[shield]] facility at Camp Lehigh, New Jersey, in 1970 to acquire both the Space Stone and extra Pym Particles for their return trip. This unplanned detour allows Steve a poignant, unseen glimpse of Peggy Carter and Tony a final, cathartic conversation with his father, Howard Stark. |
| * **Team:** Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Scott Lang. | * **Team 2 (Thor, Rocket) - Asgard, 2013 (During //Thor: The Dark World//):** |
| * **Stones:** Mind, Space, Time. | * **Reality Stone:** Rocket successfully extracts the Aether (the liquid form of the Reality Stone) from Jane Foster. |
| * **Mission:** Banner easily convinces the [[ancient_one|Ancient One]] to relinquish the Time Stone after explaining their plan to return it. Captain America retrieves the Mind Stone (in Loki's scepter) by cleverly using his knowledge of HYDRA's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. However, the plan to get the Space Stone (the Tesseract) goes awry. A mishap involving the 2012 Hulk causes Tony to drop the Tesseract, which is promptly snatched by a captured [[loki|Loki]], who uses it to escape. This forces Tony and Steve into an impromptu secondary mission. They use their remaining Pym Particles to jump further back to a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in **1970**, where they successfully retrieve the Tesseract and acquire more Pym Particles for their return trip. This unplanned jump leads to a deeply emotional moment where Tony has a silent encounter with his father, Howard Stark. | * The mission is emotionally challenging for Thor, who is at the lowest point in his depression. He has a brief, heartfelt reunion with his mother, Frigga, who knows she is fated to die later that day but offers him the wisdom and encouragement he desperately needs. Before leaving, Thor summons and retrieves his hammer, Mjolnir, from that timeline, a crucial act that reaffirms his own sense of worthiness. |
| * **Asgard, 2013 (Events of //Thor: The Dark World//):** | * **Team 3 (Natasha, Clint, Nebula, Rhodes) - Morag & Vormir, 2014 (During //Guardians of the Galaxy//):** |
| * **Team:** Thor, Rocket Raccoon. | * **Power Stone:** On the desolate planet of Morag, Rhodes and Nebula easily incapacitate Peter Quill and retrieve the Orb containing the Power Stone. |
| * **Stone:** Reality. | * **Soul Stone:** On Vormir, Natasha and Clint encounter the Red Skull, who explains the terrible cost of acquiring the stone: a soul for a soul. A heart-wrenching conflict ensues as both fiercely loyal friends try to sacrifice themselves to save the other. In the end, Natasha sacrifices herself, falling to her death so that Clint can obtain the Soul Stone and have a chance to see his family again. Her death is a pivotal, tragic turning point in the film. |
| * **Mission:** The team must extract the Aether (the Reality Stone in liquid form) from [[jane_foster|Jane Foster]]. The mission is a personal trial for Thor, who is confronted with his past self and has a heartfelt, unseen conversation with his mother, Frigga, on the day of her death. He finds a measure of his old resolve and reclaims his hammer, [[mjolnir|Mjolnir]], which still deems him worthy. Rocket successfully extracts the Aether, and they escape. | A critical complication arises during this act. The 2014 Nebula's cybernetic implants become linked with her past self's network, allowing the 2014 Thanos to discover the Avengers' entire plan. He captures the "present-day" Nebula and replaces her with her loyalist 2014 counterpart, who then returns to the future with the heroes, acting as a Trojan horse. |
| * **Morag & Vormir, 2014 (Events of //Guardians of the Galaxy//):** | === Act III: The Final Battle and Aftermath === |
| * **Team:** James Rhodes, Nebula, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton. | The heroes return to the present, grief-stricken by Natasha's sacrifice but determined to see the mission through. Tony, Rocket, and Bruce construct a new "Nano Gauntlet" to safely wield the power of the six stones. With everyone else at a safe distance, Smart Hulk, whose gamma-irradiated body is best suited to withstand the immense energy, puts on the gauntlet. He endures excruciating pain but successfully snaps his fingers. For a moment, nothing happens. Then, Clint receives a call from his wife, confirming that **The Blip** has been reversed; the vanished half of all life has returned. |
| * **Stones:** Power, Soul. | Their victory is short-lived. The 2014 Nebula uses the time platform to bring Thanos's massive warship, the //Sanctuary II//, from 2014 into the present. He immediately obliterates the Avengers Compound. A brutal battle ensues, with Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man facing the younger, more battle-hardened Thanos. The fight includes one of the most iconic moments in MCU history: **Captain America proves worthy and wields Mjolnir**, using it in combination with his shield to fight the Mad Titan. |
| * **Mission:** On the desolate planet of Morag, Rhodes and Nebula easily retrieve the Power Stone before [[star-lord|Peter Quill]] arrives. However, Nebula's cybernetic systems become linked with those of her 2014 past self, alerting the 2014 Thanos to the Avengers' plan. 2014 Thanos captures the "good" Nebula and sends the loyal, "bad" 2014 Nebula back to the future in her place. Meanwhile, on the planet Vormir, Natasha and Clint are confronted by the [[red_skull|Red Skull]], the guardian of the Soul Stone. He reveals the terrible price: a soul for a soul. A heart-wrenching fight ensues, not between enemies, but between two best friends, each trying to sacrifice themselves to save the other. Ultimately, Natasha sacrifices her life, allowing a devastated Clint to obtain the Soul Stone. | Despite their power, they are overwhelmed. Thanos declares he will not simply destroy half the universe, but will instead "shred this universe down to its last atom" and create a new, grateful one. As he summons his entire army, a battered Steve Rogers stands alone against them. Suddenly, a portal opens behind him, and a returned [[black_panther|T'Challa]], Okoye, and Shuri emerge. They are followed by dozens more portals, as Doctor Strange and the Masters of the Mystic Arts summon all the returned heroes—the Guardians of the Galaxy, the armies of Wakanda and Asgard, the Ravagers, and more—for the final battle. |
| === Phase 4: The Final Battle === | The massive conflict rages until Thanos gains the upper hand and seizes the Nano Gauntlet. As he is about to snap, Doctor Strange signals to Tony Stark, holding up one finger, reminding him of the "one in 14,000,605" future in which they win. Understanding what he must do, Tony attacks Thanos and, in the scuffle, uses his nanotech suit to transfer the Infinity Stones to his own gauntlet. As Thanos shoves him away and gloats, "I am inevitable," he snaps his fingers only to find the stones gone. Tony, with the stones glowing on his own hand and their cosmic energy ravaging his body, replies, **"And I... am... Iron Man."** He snaps his fingers. |
| The teams return to the present, minus Natasha. After a moment of mourning, they construct a new "Nano Gauntlet." With the immense gamma radiation it emits, Smart Hulk is the only one strong enough to withstand its power. He puts on the gauntlet and, with immense effort, snaps his fingers. For a moment, nothing happens. Then, Clint receives a call from his wife. The Blip is a success; they have brought everyone back. | Thanos and his entire army turn to dust. The battle is won, but the cost is immense. The power of the stones is too much for Tony's mortal body, and he dies peacefully, surrounded by Rhodes, Peter Parker, and Pepper Potts. |
| Their victory is short-lived. The "bad" 2014 Nebula, masquerading as her future self, uses the time machine to bring 2014 Thanos and his entire warship, the //Sanctuary II//, to the present. The ship obliterates the Avengers Compound. A dazed Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America confront Thanos amidst the rubble. Thanos, now aware of his future "victory" and its ultimate failure, declares his new goal is not to balance the universe, but to shred it down to its last atom and create a new, grateful one. | The film's aftermath is a somber reflection on this ultimate sacrifice. The heroes hold a funeral for Tony Stark at his lakeside home. Following this, Steve Rogers undertakes one final mission: to return the Infinity Stones and Mjolnir to their proper timelines. However, he does not return through the time platform. Bucky and Sam Wilson find an elderly Steve Rogers sitting by the lake. He reveals that after returning the stones, he chose to stay in the past and live a full life with Peggy Carter. He passes his iconic shield, and the mantle of Captain America, to Sam Wilson. |
| What follows is one of the most iconic battles in cinematic history. | |
| * Thanos single-handedly overpowers the trinity. | |
| * Captain America, cornered and facing certain death, proves his worthiness by summoning and wielding **Mjolnir**. | |
| * Just as Thanos's overwhelming strength begins to turn the tide, Steve hears a familiar voice in his comms: "On your left." Portals begin to open, and through them emerge Doctor Strange, [[spider-man|Spider-Man]], the [[guardians_of_the_galaxy|Guardians of the Galaxy]], the armies of Wakanda, the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, the Ravagers, and every other hero who had been turned to dust. | |
| * With the heroes reassembled, Captain America utters the long-awaited phrase: "**Avengers... Assemble.**" | |
| * A colossal battle ensues. Key moments include Captain Marvel destroying the //Sanctuary II//, [[scarlet_witch|Wanda Maximoff]] nearly killing Thanos single-handedly, and a desperate struggle to get the Nano Gauntlet away from Thanos and back to the Quantum Tunnel. | |
| * In the final moments, Thanos seizes the gauntlet. Doctor Strange signals to Tony Stark, holding up one finger, reminding him of the "one" future out of 14,000,605 in which they won. Tony realizes what he must do. He attacks Thanos, and in the struggle, secretly transfers the Infinity Stones from the Nano Gauntlet to his own armor. | |
| * As Thanos prepares for his final, triumphant snap, he finds the gauntlet empty. He looks up to see Tony, the Stones embedded in his Iron Man suit, crackling with cosmic energy. Tony delivers his final, defiant line: "**And I... am... Iron Man.**" He snaps his fingers. | |
| === Phase 5: Aftermath and Resolution === | |
| Tony's snap instantly turns Thanos and his entire army to dust. The cosmic energy proves too much for Tony's mortal body, and he dies surrounded by Rhodes, a returned Peter Parker, and Pepper Potts. | |
| The world mourns its savior with a funeral at the Stark lake house, attended by nearly every hero in the MCU. Following this, the world begins to heal and rebuild. Thor abdicates the throne of New Asgard to [[valkyrie|Valkyrie]] and joins the Guardians of the Galaxy. | |
| The final major thread is resolved by Steve Rogers. He volunteers to return the Infinity Stones and Mjolnir to their proper places in the timeline. However, he does not return immediately. Instead, he chooses to stay in the past with his long-lost love, [[peggy_carter|Peggy Carter]], and live the life he was denied. He reappears in the present as an old man, sitting peacefully on a bench. He passes his iconic shield, and the mantle of Captain America, to his trusted friend [[falcon|Sam Wilson]]. | |
| ===== Part 4: Key Character Arcs & Resolutions ===== | ===== Part 4: Key Character Arcs & Resolutions ===== |
| //Endgame// is as much about character as it is about plot, serving as the definitive final chapter for several of the MCU's founding heroes. | //Endgame// is defined by its role as the final chapter for the MCU's foundational heroes. |
| ==== Tony Stark (Iron Man) ==== | ==== Tony Stark: The Ultimate Sacrifice ==== |
| Tony's arc across the entire Infinity Saga was a journey from selfish industrialist to selfless hero. //Endgame// provides the ultimate test of this transformation. He begins the film broken and resentful but finds a perfect life with his family. His decision to rejoin the fight is not driven by ego but by a profound sense of responsibility for those who were lost, particularly Peter Parker. His journey back to 1970 allows him to find closure with his father, understanding the man behind the myth. His final act of sacrifice is the ultimate fulfillment of his arc; the man who started it all by declaring "I am Iron Man" ends it with the same words, but this time they mean not arrogance, but the salvation of the entire universe at the cost of his own life. | Tony's arc comes full circle. The man who began his journey as a "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist" in `[[iron_man_2008|Iron Man]]` completes his transformation into a truly selfless hero. His five years of peace with Pepper and Morgan represent everything he stands to lose, making his decision to rejoin the fight and ultimately sacrifice himself profoundly resonant. His final line, "I am Iron Man," directly mirrors his defiant declaration at the end of his first film, re-contextualizing it from an act of ego to one of ultimate, universe-saving sacrifice. |
| ==== Steve Rogers (Captain America) ==== | ==== Steve Rogers: The Soldier's Peace ==== |
| Steve's journey was that of a man out of time, always putting duty and the needs of others before his own. He is the anchor of the team during the bleak five-year period, refusing to "move on." The Time Heist allows him to prove his ultimate worthiness by wielding Mjolnir, a moment fans had long awaited. But his final act is for himself. After a lifetime of sacrifice, he finally chooses personal happiness, returning the Stones and then staying in the past to live a full life with Peggy Carter. His resolution is not one of death, but of peace, passing his legacy on to a worthy successor. | Steve's journey has been that of a man out of time, perpetually a soldier fighting the next war. His arc in //Endgame// is about finally finding a way to put down the shield. His worthiness in wielding Mjolnir is the ultimate validation of his unwavering moral character. His final decision to return to the past and live the life he was denied is not an act of selfishness but the earned reward for a century of service. By passing the shield to Sam, he ensures his legacy will continue while finally allowing himself the peace he has long deserved. |
| ==== Thor ==== | ==== Thor: From Despair to Renewal ==== |
| //Endgame// finds Thor at his lowest point. Crushed by his failure to kill Thanos in //Infinity War//, he has let himself go completely, a shadow of the mighty god he once was. The film is about him rediscovering his self-worth. His conversation with his mother reminds him that it's okay to fail and that true strength is about "who you are," not "what you're supposed to be." Reclaiming Mjolnir is the physical manifestation of his returning worthiness. By the end, he relinquishes the burden of leadership, which he never truly wanted, and sets off for a new adventure, no longer bound by destiny but free to discover himself. | //Endgame// takes Thor to his absolute lowest point. Wracked with guilt over his failure to kill Thanos in //Infinity War//, he becomes a shell of his former self. The film treats his trauma, depression, and alcoholism with a surprising degree of sincerity. His journey is one of self-forgiveness and rediscovery. The reunion with his mother and his ability to still summon Mjolnir help him realize that his worthiness was never tied to his physical perfection or success, but to his inherent nobility. By the end, he abdicates the throne of New Asgard to Valkyrie and joins the Guardians of the Galaxy, not as a king, but as a man searching for who he is meant to be, not who he is "supposed to be." |
| ==== Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) ==== | ==== Natasha Romanoff: Wiping Out the Red ==== |
| For five years, Natasha held the Avengers together, driven by a desperate need to fix what was broken. Her past as a spy and assassin left her with "red in her ledger," a debt she felt she could never repay. Her role in the Time Heist brings her to Vormir, where she is faced with an impossible choice. Her sacrifice is the ultimate act of love for her found family, the Avengers. She ensures that they can succeed and that Clint can return to his family, wiping her ledger clean not with violence, but with the ultimate act of selflessness. | Natasha's arc has always been about atoning for her past as a KGB assassin—the "red in her ledger." For five years after the Blip, she is the one who holds the Avengers together, finding a renewed sense of purpose in her found family. Her sacrifice on Vormir is the ultimate act of this love. She ensures the survival of her family and the success of the mission, not for glory, but because it's the right thing to do. Her death is tragic but provides a definitive, heroic conclusion to her redemptive journey. |
| ==== Clint Barton (Hawkeye) & Bruce Banner (Hulk) ==== | ==== Bruce Banner: Professor Hulk's Synthesis ==== |
| Both characters undergo significant transformations. Clint's grief turns him into the murderous Ronin, a dark path from which Natasha pulls him back. His arc is about reclaiming his humanity and fighting for the family he lost. Bruce finally achieves balance, merging his two warring personalities into Smart Hulk. He becomes the brains and the brawn of the team, the one capable of wielding the Stones to bring everyone back, though the act leaves him permanently scarred. | After years of struggle between his two warring halves, Bruce Banner finally finds peace. By merging his intelligence with the Hulk's strength, he becomes "Smart Hulk," the best of both worlds. This integration allows him to play a pivotal role, not as a mindless force of destruction, but as a key scientific mind and the only one strong enough to safely perform the "snap" that brings everyone back. His journey is one of self-acceptance and integration. |
| ===== Part 5: Comic Book Precursors & Inspirations ===== | ==== Clint Barton: The Ronin's Rage ==== |
| While //Avengers: Endgame// is a unique creation of the MCU, its DNA is deeply rooted in several landmark Marvel Comics storylines. | Clint's journey is the darkest. The loss of his family shatters him, turning him into the brutal vigilante Ronin, targeting criminals who he feels were undeservedly spared by the Blip. His story is one of being pulled back from the brink by his loyalty to Natasha and his desire to restore his family. Her sacrifice weighs heavily on him, but it is what allows him to achieve his ultimate goal: a reunion with the family he had lost. |
| ==== The Infinity Gauntlet (1991) ==== | ===== Part 5: Thematic Analysis & Cinematic Significance ===== |
| This is the foundational text. Created by Jim Starlin, George Pérez, and Ron Lim, this six-issue series provided the core premise: Thanos acquires the six Infinity Gems and wipes out half of all life in the universe with a snap of his fingers. Many iconic moments are lifted directly or adapted from this series, including Thanos's solitary life as a farmer after his victory, the united front of heroes attacking him on a distant world, and his ultimate defeat through hubris and the Gauntlet being taken from him. However, the comic differs significantly in key ways: Adam Warlock is the central strategist against Thanos, not the Avengers; the motivation for the Snap is to impress Mistress Death, not a philosophical belief in "balance"; and there is no time travel involved in reversing the Snap. | ==== Themes of Failure, Hope, and Sacrifice ==== |
| ==== Infinity (2013) ==== | Unlike many superhero films, //Endgame// begins with absolute failure. Its first act is a powerful meditation on grief, trauma, and the struggle to move on from loss on a universal scale. The central theme is the refusal to accept defeat. The motto "Whatever it takes" becomes the heroes' mantra, driving them to risk paradox and personal safety for a one-in-a-million chance at hope. The film's resolution is built on the theme of sacrifice, embodied by the deaths of Natasha and Tony, who give their lives so that others may live, providing a powerful, bittersweet conclusion. |
| This sprawling event by Jonathan Hickman was a major visual and thematic influence. The concept of Thanos's invading army, spearheaded by his lieutenants (the Black Order, called the "Cull Obsidian" in the comic), laying siege to Earth while the Avengers are off-world is central to this story. The sheer scale of the final battle in //Endgame//, with massive armies clashing on a battlefield, owes a great deal to the epic conflicts depicted in //Infinity//. | ==== Box Office and Critical Reception ==== |
| ==== "Endgame" (Avengers Vol. 1 #390-395) ==== | Upon its release, //Avengers: Endgame// became a global cultural phenomenon. It grossed over $2.798 billion worldwide, surpassing //Avatar// (2009) to become the highest-grossing film of all time, a record it held until a re-release of //Avatar//. The film was praised by critics for its emotional depth, satisfying conclusions to character arcs, and the sheer scale and ambition of its final battle. It is widely regarded as a landmark achievement in blockbuster filmmaking and a masterclass in long-form, serialized storytelling. |
| While sharing a title, this 1995 comic storyline has no plot connection to the film. It involves the Eternal, Sersi, being driven mad by a villain named Proctor and the Avengers having to team up with the Inhumans to stop her. Its inclusion in this discussion is primarily to distinguish it from the cinematic event and to satisfy queries from fans who may have encountered the name in older comics. | ==== Culmination of the Infinity Saga ==== |
| ==== Captain America Wields Mjolnir ==== | //Endgame// represents the pinnacle of Marvel Studios' unique narrative experiment. It is the culmination of an interconnected, 22-film saga that began with //Iron Man// in 2008. The film is packed with callbacks, references, and emotional payoffs that reward long-time viewers, turning the "Time Heist" into a nostalgic "greatest hits" tour of the MCU's history. It successfully ties up the primary narrative threads of the first three phases of the MCU while simultaneously planting the seeds for the future, establishing a new status quo and a new generation of heroes. |
| The jaw-dropping moment of Steve Rogers lifting Thor's hammer is not an MCU invention. This first occurred in **//Thor// #390 (1988)**. During a battle where Thor is incapacitated, Captain America, in a moment of dire need, is able to lift the enchanted hammer and use it against Grog and the Demons of Death. This established his profound worthiness in the comics long before it was realized on screen. | ===== Part 6: Unresolved Plotlines & "What If...?" Scenarios ===== |
| ===== Part 6: Cultural Impact & Box Office Legacy ===== | The film's use of time travel and its universe-altering events intentionally left several major plot threads open for future exploration. |
| //Avengers: Endgame// was not merely a film; it was a global cultural event, the culmination of a decade of serialized storytelling unprecedented in cinema history. | ==== The Loki Variant (Loki of Earth-TRN732) ==== |
| Its release in April 2019 was met with feverish anticipation. The film shattered nearly every box office record imaginable. It had the highest-grossing opening weekend of all time, both domestically and worldwide. It became the fastest film to gross $1 billion, $2 billion, and eventually surpassed $2.798 billion, briefly unseating //Avatar// (2009) as the **highest-grossing film of all time** (a title //Avatar// later reclaimed after a re-release). | The most immediate consequence of the Time Heist was the creation of a major branch reality. When the 2012 Loki escaped with the Tesseract in New York, he created a timeline divergence that was not pruned. This "Loki Variant" is apprehended by the [[time_variance_authority|Time Variance Authority (TVA)]], and his subsequent adventures, as depicted in the `[[loki_tv_series|Loki]]` Disney+ series, lead directly to the collapse of the "Sacred Timeline" and the fracturing of the multiverse, which is the central conflict of the MCU's Multiverse Saga. |
| Critically, the film was lauded for its emotional weight, its satisfying conclusions for long-running character arcs, and the sheer ambition of its scale. It was praised as a masterclass in blockbuster filmmaking and a fitting end to the "Infinity Saga." The fan response was overwhelming, with sold-out theaters cheering at iconic moments like Captain America wielding Mjolnir and the "Avengers Assemble" call. Phrases like "I love you 3000" entered the pop culture lexicon, and the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow sparked widespread discussion and mourning among the fanbase. | ==== The Gamora Variant (Gamora of Earth-TRN752) ==== |
| //Endgame//'s legacy is its validation of the shared universe model. It proved that audiences would follow complex, interwoven narratives over dozens of films, building a connection with characters that rivaled any other medium. It set a new standard for event cinema and fundamentally altered the landscape of the film industry, solidifying the dominance of the superhero genre for years to come. | The Gamora who fights in the final battle is the 2014 version, who has no memory of or relationship with the Guardians of the Galaxy, particularly Peter Quill. She disappears after Tony's snap, and her whereabouts and allegiance are left unknown at the film's end. Her story and the Guardians' search for her become a central plot point in `[[guardians_of_the_galaxy_vol_3|Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3]]`. |
| | ==== Captain America's Timeline and the Shield ==== |
| | Steve Rogers' decision to live his life with Peggy Carter raised numerous questions among fans about the nature of MCU time travel. The directors and writers have offered slightly different interpretations of whether Steve lived out his life in a branched timeline or within the main timeline in secret. This ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations but confirms his story is complete. His passing of the shield to Sam Wilson directly sets up the events of the series `[[the_falcon_and_the_winter_soldier|The Falcon and the Winter Soldier]]`, which explores Sam's journey to accepting the mantle of Captain America. |
| ===== See Also ===== | ===== See Also ===== |
| * [[avengers]] | * [[avengers_infinity_war]] |
| * [[thanos]] | * [[thanos]] |
| * [[infinity_stones]] | * [[infinity_stones]] |
| * [[the_infinity_gauntlet]] | * [[iron_man|Tony Stark (Iron Man)]] |
| * [[iron_man]] | * [[captain_america|Steve Rogers (Captain America)]] |
| * [[captain_america]] | * [[the_avengers_organization|The Avengers]] |
| * [[thor]] | * [[time_travel_mcu|Time Travel (MCU)]] |
| * [[marvel_cinematic_universe]] | |
| ===== Notes and Trivia ===== | ===== Notes and Trivia ===== |
| ((The film's working title during production was "Mary Lou 2." The original "Mary Lou" was the working title for //The Avengers// (2012).)) | ((//Avengers: Endgame// is the first and only film in the MCU to not feature a mid-credits or post-credits scene. Instead, it features only the sound of a hammer clanking on metal—a tribute to Tony Stark forging his first armor in the original //Iron Man// film.)) |
| ((The line "I love you 3000," spoken by Tony's daughter Morgan, was reportedly based on something one of Robert Downey Jr.'s own children said to him.)) | ((The line "I love you 3000," spoken by Tony's daughter Morgan, became an iconic and emotional catchphrase from the film. According to the Russo brothers, the line originated from a real-life phrase used by Robert Downey Jr.'s own children.)) |
| ((Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have a cameo in the film. Joe Russo plays Bobby, the man in Steve Rogers' support group who talks about going on his first date since the Snap.)) | ((To prevent leaks, the final battle sequence was referred to in the script and on set as "The Wedding." The massive gathering of the entire cast for Tony's funeral scene was the only time nearly every major actor in the MCU was in the same place at the same time.)) |
| ((Katherine Langford, star of //13 Reasons Why//, was cast as a teenage version of Morgan Stark. She appeared to Tony in a "way station" vision after his snap, similar to how Thanos saw a young Gamora in //Infinity War//. The scene was cut from the final film for pacing and because test audiences found it confusing.)) | ((The scene where all the female heroes of the MCU assemble to protect Captain Marvel as she carries the gauntlet is a direct homage to the "A-Force," an all-female team of Avengers from the comics.)) |
| ((The "Time Heist" concept allowed the film to act as a "greatest hits" of the MCU, revisiting key locations and moments from films like //The Avengers//, //Guardians of the Galaxy//, and //Thor: The Dark World//.)) | ((The final shot of the film, showing Steve and Peggy dancing, is a direct payoff to the promise Steve made to her in `[[captain_america_the_first_avenger|Captain America: The First Avenger]]` before he crashed the Valkyrie into the ice.)) |
| ((The final shot of the main film (before the credits) is of Steve and Peggy dancing, finally getting the dance they promised each other in //Captain America: The First Avenger//.)) | ((The concept of returning the stones to their exact point in time to prevent timeline branches was a narrative device created specifically for the film to manage the immense complexities of time travel paradoxes and differs from most time travel logic in Marvel Comics.)) |
| ((Source Material: //Avengers: Endgame// (2019), directed by Anthony & Joe Russo. //The Infinity Gauntlet// (1991), by Jim Starlin. //Infinity// (2013), by Jonathan Hickman.)) | |
| ((The "portals" scene, where all the heroes return, was so secretive that many of the actors present for filming did not know exactly what kind of movie they were shooting, believing it to be for a wedding or other large gathering scene to prevent leaks.)) | |