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Avengers Encore: spoiler, theories that can change everything
Published : Saturday, 14 November, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Sakia Kawser Siddique
Marvel has returned to one of its biggest cinematic milestones, but the new version of Avengers: Endgame is doing more than revisiting the past. Titled Avengers: Endgame Encore, the theatrical re-release introduces four new sequences that offer clues about the Marvel Cinematic Universe's next major showdown.
From Loki's unexpected visit to Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter to Doctor Doom's arrival to collect Bruce Banner, the additional footage has fuelled speculation about the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
The new scenes also raise questions about the growing multiversal crisis, the possible return of familiar heroes and Doom's intentions towards some of the most powerful characters in the MCU.
Beyond Endgame Encore, recent developments in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and VisionQuest have added further clues. Together, they have inspired a number of theories about Doom's plans, his possible connection to Tony Stark and what could happen before Avengers: Secret Wars.
Major spoilers ahead for Avengers: Endgame Encore, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, VisionQuest and other MCU projects.
Four new scenes change the Endgame story
The first major addition comes during the film's emotional conclusion, when Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter are interrupted during their long-awaited dance.
A knock at their door reveals Loki, wearing his Time Variance Authority (TVA) uniform. When Peggy asks whether she can help him, Loki replies, "No, but I can help you. Both of you."
Steve then appears, visibly surprised by the visitor.
The scene does not explain why the God of Stories has travelled to Steve's timeline or what danger could threaten the couple's peaceful life. However, Loki's appearance has prompted speculation that their timeline could be connected to the approaching multiversal crisis.
Anthony Russo has described the Steve and Peggy sequence as the point where Doomsday is born. This suggests that Steve's decision to remain with Peggy may have a much greater connection to the coming conflict than audiences initially realised.
One theory is that Loki visits the couple because their timeline is in danger. Another possibility is that he wants to move them to another reality or prevent a chain of events that leads to the multiverse's destruction.
The scene does not confirm either explanation, but it establishes that Steve's past has become important to the next Avengers story.
Another sequence follows Bruce Banner, who is staying in an underground facility and experimenting with a gamma-suppression serum to prevent himself from transforming into the Hulk.
His isolation does not last long. The facility's security systems begin malfunctioning before Doctor Doom arrives.
"Mister Banner. I am here to collect you," Doom tells him.
Banner transforms into the Hulk, roaring as Doom takes him away. The sequence ends without showing the full outcome of their confrontation.
A third addition returns to the TVA, where Mobius, Casey and Ouroboros discover multiple universes heading towards destruction through simultaneous incursions. The scale of the catastrophe becomes increasingly alarming as thousands of universes appear to be at risk.
Mobius, Casey and Ouroboros (O.B.) begin examining the situation.
The TVA's initial discovery soon turns into something much worse. They learn that thousands of similar events are happening across the multiverse.
The number of simultaneous incursions is reported to be as high as 3,000.
O.B. realises the scale of the disaster and concludes that the multiverse is collapsing.
The scene cuts to black.
This is one of the most significant additions because it establishes that the danger facing the MCU is not limited to one universe or one group of superheroes.
The Fox X-Men universe is directly connected to the crisis, suggesting that the events of Doomsday could bring characters from different Marvel film franchises into the same conflict.
It also raises questions about Loki's ability to protect the multiverse. Despite his role at the centre of the branching timelines, the TVA appears unable to stop the simultaneous incursions.
The final new sequence appears at the very end of the credits.
In the original Avengers: Endgame, the film did not include a traditional post-credits scene. Instead, audiences heard a series of metallic hammering sounds.
The sound was a tribute to the first Iron Man film, recalling Tony Stark forging his first armour inside a cave in Afghanistan.
Endgame Encore gives the sound a new visual meaning.
As the familiar metallic clanging plays, the footage shows Doctor Doom forging his iconic metal mask.
The sequence connects the creation of Doom's mask with the memory of Tony Stark building his first Iron Man suit.
The visual parallel is particularly striking because Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark for more than a decade before returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom.
The scene has encouraged speculation that Doom could be an alternate-universe version of Tony Stark.
However, the sequence does not confirm that theory. The similarities between the two characters' armour-making scenes and the casting of Downey Jr. are not proof that Doom and Stark share the same identity.
The new footage also does not explain how Doom received his facial injuries or why he needs the mask.
What it does establish is that Doom is preparing his armour and that his arrival is connected to the larger events being set up for Doomsday.
Together, the four scenes connect the original Endgame story to the growing multiversal threat and raise questions about Doom's plans.
Doctor Doom's appearance alongside Franklin Richards
The clues about Doom's intentions extend beyond Endgame Encore.
In the mid-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), set four years after the team's battle against Galactus, Sue Storm is reading to her son, Franklin Richards, when she senses someone else in the room.
The mysterious visitor is Doctor Doom, holding his iconic metal mask.
His appearance alongside Franklin is significant. In Marvel Comics, Franklin possesses extraordinary reality-altering abilities, making him a potentially valuable target for someone attempting to control or rebuild the multiverse.
One popular theory is that Doom wants to harness Franklin's power to create or preserve a new reality.
The theory draws comparisons with the 2015 Secret Wars comic storyline, in which Doom acquires extraordinary power and constructs Battleworld from the remains of destroyed universes.
Although the film does not reveal Doom's intentions, his appearance has strengthened speculation that Franklin could become an important part of his plans.
Spider-Man's mysterious signal: Is Doom already hunting him?
One of the most intriguing clues comes from Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026).
The film's post-credits scene returns to Ned Leeds' Spidey Tracker application, which records sightings of Spider-Man.
The screen initially shows Peter Parker's location as unknown. The map then zooms out from New York, moves beyond Earth and eventually identifies a Spider-Man sighting somewhere in outer space.
The scene offers no explanation for how Spider-Man got there or what he is doing.
However, fans have noticed similarities between this sequence and the new footage in Endgame Encore. In the re-release's Hulk sequence, the technology inside Bruce Banner's underground facility begins glitching as Doctor Doom arrives to collect him. Similar glitches appear in the Spidey Tracker sequence.
This has fuelled a theory that Doom could be interfering with the tracking system or that his powers are affecting Spider-Man's location.
Could Doom have already found Peter Parker?
Another possibility is that Spider-Man has been pulled into an interdimensional journey involving the Fantastic Four. Their spacecraft and connections to another universe could provide a route for Peter to enter the larger multiversal conflict.
There is also a Secret Wars connection. In the 2015 comic storyline, Spider-Man becomes one of the heroes involved in the Battleworld events. His appearance beyond Earth could be an early hint at a similar storyline in the MCU.
None of these explanations has been confirmed. Marvel has left the post-credits sequence open to interpretation.
Scarlet Witch could be Doom's most dangerous weapon
Perhaps the biggest revelation comes from VisionQuest.
The series' post-credits scene revisits the destruction of Mount Wundagore, where Wanda Maximoff appeared to sacrifice herself while destroying the Darkhold.
However, the new footage reveals that she survived.
Doctor Doom appears beneath the rubble and uses his powers to awaken her.
"Scarlet Witch, awaken. Your power will be mine," he tells her.
Wanda opens her eyes, confirming that her story is far from over.
Unlike the Spider-Man theory, Doom's interest in Wanda is directly established by the scene itself. What remains uncertain is whether he intends to steal her abilities, control her or recruit her willingly.
A popular theory is that Doom wants access to her chaos magic because it could help him manipulate reality on a multiversal scale.
The speculation also has a comic-book connection. In Avengers: The Children's Crusade, Doom attempts to exploit Wanda's immense magical abilities. The storyline has strengthened speculation that Marvel could adapt elements of that story.
Another possibility is that Wanda will initially serve Doom but eventually turn against him after discovering his true intentions.
Her connection to her children, Billy and Tommy, could become central to that conflict.
Theory 1: Doom is building an army of powerful heroes
One of the strongest theories emerging from the new footage is that Doctor Doom is collecting powerful individuals from different universes to execute a much larger plan.
His decision to take Bruce Banner suggests that the Hulk's immense strength could serve a purpose beyond simply defeating the Avengers.
His interest in Wanda and his appearance alongside Franklin Richards add to the speculation. Franklin's reality-altering abilities, Wanda's chaos magic and Hulk's physical strength could each serve a different purpose in Doom's plans.
Some fans believe Doom wants to assemble an army capable of helping him survive the approaching multiversal collapse. Another possibility is that he intends to exploit the abilities of these characters to protect himself or gain control over the remaining realities.
Spider-Man's mysterious location in outer space has also been drawn into this theory, although there is no confirmation that Doom is responsible for the signal or intends to recruit Peter Parker.
The theory is compelling, but Marvel has not confirmed that all these characters will become members of Doom's army.
Theory 2: Loki needs Steve Rogers to save the multiverse
Loki's unexpected appearance at Steve and Peggy's home has generated another major theory.
After the events of Loki Season 2, the character becomes the protector of the multiverse, holding its branching timelines together.
His offer to help Steve and Peggy could mean that their timeline is in danger because of the approaching incursions.
Another possibility is that Loki wants Steve to return to action and help stop Doom before the multiverse collapses completely.
Steve's return would also bring an emotional connection to the original Avengers, whose story appeared to end with Endgame.
However, the new scene does not reveal what Loki needs from the couple or whether Steve will become involved in the coming conflict.
Theory 3: Doom could win before Secret Wars begins
A popular theory suggests that the Avengers might actually lose in Doomsday.
The upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled for 2027, and the 2015 Marvel Comics storyline offers an intriguing possible direction.
In the comics, incursions threaten to destroy the multiverse. Doctor Doom eventually acquires extraordinary power and creates Battleworld, a patchwork world assembled from the remains of different realities. He becomes its ruler, presenting himself as the person who saved what remained of existence.
The TVA's discovery of widespread incursions in Endgame Encore has strengthened speculation that Marvel could adapt elements of this storyline.
If the theory proves correct, Doomsday could end with the heroes failing to prevent the multiverse's destruction. Secret Wars would then explore the consequences of Doom's new world and the heroes' attempt to rebuild what has been lost.
The idea could also explain why Marvel is bringing together characters from different cinematic universes, including the original X-Men and the Fantastic Four.
Spider-Man's mysterious location in space could even be connected to the eventual creation of Battleworld.
Theory 4: Is Steve Rogers really the Steve we know?
Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers has generated considerable excitement, but it has also sparked speculation about his identity.
One fan theory suggests that the Steve appearing in Doomsday could be a variant from another universe rather than the original Captain America who reunited with Peggy.
Some fans have even connected the theory to Captain America's Hydra counterpart from Marvel's comic-book storyline, in which Steve is revealed to have been associated with Hydra.
The possibility raises questions about whether the returning character will share the same history and loyalties as the Steve audiences know.
However, this remains speculation. The new Endgame Encore scene directly reconnects the story to the Steve who stayed with Peggy, making it equally possible that the original character is returning.
Theory 5: Is Doctor Doom connected to Tony Stark?
Perhaps the most intriguing mystery concerns Robert Downey Jr.'s return to Marvel.
The actor, who previously played Tony Stark for more than a decade, is now portraying Doctor Doom.
The final Endgame Encore sequence shows Doom forging his metal mask, accompanied by sounds reminiscent of Tony's original Iron Man workshop.
This has fuelled theories that Doom could be a Tony Stark variant from another universe.
The idea is particularly interesting because it could give the Avengers a deeply personal reason to struggle against the villain. Seeing a familiar face behind the mask could make their conflict more complicated than an ordinary battle against a new enemy.
It could also explain why Marvel chose Downey Jr. for the role rather than introducing a completely new face.
However, Marvel has not confirmed that Doom is an alternate version of Tony Stark. The casting and the mask-forging sequence alone do not establish that the two characters share an identity.
Is Marvel preparing for its biggest multiverse showdown?
The new footage suggests that Marvel is bringing together several storylines developed across its films and television projects.
Loki's return, the discovery of widespread incursions, Doom's apparent interest in powerful characters, Wanda's survival and Spider-Man's mysterious location all point towards a conflict extending far beyond the original Avengers.
Marvel has confirmed that Avengers: Doomsday will bring together heroes from different corners of its cinematic universe, including the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Wakandans, Thunderbolts and X-Men.
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on December 18, 2026.
Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to follow in 2027.
For now, the biggest question is not simply whether the Avengers can defeat Doctor Doom. It is whether they can save the multiverse before there is anything left to save.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Online-email: [email protected]
