Anthony Russo Reveals Steve Rogers’ Endgame Choice Led to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
For 7 years, Steve Rogers’ final choice in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ has been one of the MCU’s most debated endings, and Anthony Russo just gave it a surprising new meaning. In the original film, Steve travels back in time to return the Infinity Stones but chooses to stay in the past with Peggy Carter, later returning as an older man to pass the Captain America shield to Sam Wilson.
The Russos have long explained that the film’s time travel rules create an alternate future rather than changing the existing present. According to The Sunday Guardian, Anthony Russo said in a 2019 interview that living in the past meant creating an alternate future for a character like Captain America, with the filmmakers leaning on multiverse theory. That alternate reality suddenly matters more than ever. ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore‘, now in theaters around the world, extends the film’s ending with a brand-new scene.
Instead of Steve and Peggy dancing into the credits, Loki now arrives at their door while Steve hides around the corner. Peggy asks if she can help him, and the TVA agent replies that he can actually help them both. Speaking at a Q&A after a screening at the 92nd Street Y in New York, Russo was asked whether any moment in ‘Endgame’ had taken on a different meaning now that he and Joe Russo are working on ‘Doomsday’. His answer immediately set the internet buzzing.
“You know, we sort of play one beat past where Steve Rogers’ story ended with Peggy Carter, and in that moment, that’s where Doomsday is born,” Russo said, as reported by GamesRadar+, which attended the event. He didn’t elaborate further, leaving fans to piece together what the TVA’s visit sets in motion.
ComicBook.com argued that the new scene implies Steve’s decision to stay in the past disrupted the timeline, prompting the TVA and Loki to intervene. The outlet described Russo’s comments as a massive reveal suggesting Steve’s controversial choice set the events of ‘Doomsday’ in motion.
Anthony Russo confirms that Steve Rogers traveling back in time in ‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ created ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ “We play one beat past where Steve Rogers’ story ended with Peggy Carter, and in that moment, that’s where Doomsday is born.” https://t.co/0fLO4WQ1wo
— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) September 25, 2026
ComicBookMovie noted that rumors have long suggested Steve could be partly responsible for the incursions threatening the multiverse. The outlet also pointed to unconfirmed reports that Steve’s presence may be tied to tragedy in Victor Von Doom’s life, though none of that has been officially confirmed by Marvel.
GamesRadar+ added that another new scene set at the TVA shows thousands of incursions happening, suggesting the story takes place after the events of ‘Loki’ Season 2. Russo was also asked whether there’s any connective tissue between Tony Stark and Doctor Doom, given that Robert Downey Jr. plays both characters. He playfully turned the question back on the audience, calling it a pregnant question, according to ComicBookMovie.
The Sunday Guardian noted that Russo has previously described the new footage as a way to use audiences’ emotional connection to earlier MCU stories while moving into something new. That approach makes the Encore far more than a simple re-release.
New trailer for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) August 15, 2026
In theaters December 18 pic.twitter.com/1wsiTk1Nnv
With Steve, Peggy, and Loki now at the center of the story’s setup, the pieces are falling into place ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. The film arrives in theaters on December 18, bringing together the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men against Downey’s Doctor Doom.
What do you think of Steve Rogers’ choice to stay with Peggy Carter leading into Avengers: Doomsday?
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