Marvel Studios has returned to theaters with Avengers: Endgame Encore, a special theatrical re-release designed to connect the 2019 blockbuster directly to Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled to premiere on December 18, 2026. Directed once again by Anthony and Joe Russo, the updated presentation introduces four minutes of brand-new footage consisting of an extended final scene and three post-credits sequences. These additions place Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom at the center of a developing multiversal crisis while revealing major consequences for Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, and the Time Variance Authority (TVA).
According to reports from The Guardian, the re-release generated an additional $126 million worldwide during its opening weekend, pushing Avengers: Endgame‘s lifetime box office total to approximately $2.925 billion and narrowly edging past Avatar’s $2.923 billion record. While the new scenes were filmed during production on Doomsday and will not appear in the final cut of the upcoming fifth Avengers film, the storylines they establish serve as critical narrative bridges for Phase 6.
Loki Visits Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter
The first new piece of footage flows seamlessly from the original conclusion of Avengers: Endgame. As Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) slow dance to “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” by Harry James and His Orchestra, the scene continues past the original cut when an unexpected knock sounds at their front door. While Steve conceals himself behind a corner, Peggy answers the door to find Loki (Tom Hiddleston) dressed in his signature brown Time Variance Authority jacket.
Loki looks past Peggy and calmly states, “Both of you,” prompting a visibly horrified Steve to step into view. This version of Loki is not the 2012 antagonist from the first Avengers film, but rather the reformed God of Stories who oversees the stability of the entire multiverse. His arrival at Steve and Peggy’s home suggests that Steve’s decision to remain in the past created an unauthorized branch timeline, threatening multiversal stability and drawing the attention of the TVA.
Doctor Doom Abducts Bruce Banner
The first post-credits sequence shifts focus to Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), operating out of a tri-base military complex located two miles beneath the Earth’s surface following the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Recording a personal video diary, Banner explains that he has been experimenting with a new gamma suppression serum to keep the Hulk safely contained after suffering his first major incident in over a decade.
The security footage begins to glitch as a mysterious green glow overtakes the room, accompanied by glowing green Latverian rune markings on the floor. Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom steps out of the shadows, telling Banner, “I’m here to collect you.” The scene cuts to black amid the roar of the Hulk, confirming that Doctor Doom is actively recruiting or capturing powerful beings to build an army ahead of Doomsday.
The TVA Monitors Catastrophic Incursions
In the second post-credits sequence, viewers are transported to TVA headquarters, where Miss Minutes (Tara Strong) welcomes audiences before Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson) meets with Ouroboros (Ke Huy Quan) and Casey (Eugene Cordero). The agents monitor a Level 1 incursion unfolding between Universe 10005, the historical designation for the 20th Century Fox X-Men franchise, and the unclassified Universe 1127.
What begins as an isolated anomaly quickly escalates as two Earths launch missiles at each other in a desperate attempt to survive. Monitors quickly flash red as incursions multiply from two to three, and eventually to 3,000 simultaneously. Notable alternate realities are marked as terminated or destroyed, including Ang Lee’s 2003 Hulk universe (Earth-400083), the 2015 Fantastic Four reality (Earth-15886), and Captain Carter’s What If…? universe (Earth-82111). Ouroboros summarizes the catastrophic event with a grim observation: “The multiverse is collapsing.”
Doctor Doom Forges His Mask
The final addition to Avengers: Endgame Encore recontextualizes the iconic audio that closed out the original 2019 film. While the original theatrical release ended with the poignant sound of Tony Stark striking metal to forge his initial Iron Man suit in a cave, the re-release attaches visual footage to the clanging sounds.
In quick flashes during the final credits, Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor Von Doom is shown striking metal and forging his own metallic mask in a manner nearly identical to Stark’s origin. By visually linking the creation of Doom’s mask to Tony Stark’s early armor-building process, the scene fuels fan theories regarding the shared physical appearance between Stark and Doom, setting up a deeply personal confrontation in Avengers: Doomsday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Avengers: Endgame Encore required viewing for Avengers: Doomsday?
According to directors Anthony and Joe Russo, the four new scenes introduced in the re-release provide critical context and necessary setup to fully understand the multiversal conflicts in Avengers: Doomsday.
Does Robert Downey Jr. play Doctor Doom in the new Endgame scenes?
Yes. Robert Downey Jr. appears in the new post-credits footage as Doctor Doom, both in voice when confronting Bruce Banner and visually while forging his metal mask.
What universes are shown colliding in the TVA scene?
The TVA monitors show multiple collapsing realities, including the Fox X-Men universe (Earth-10005), Ang Lee’s 2003 Hulk universe (Earth-400083), the 2015 Fantastic Four universe (Earth-15886), and Captain Carter’s universe from What If…? (Earth-82111).
Why does Loki visit Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter?
Loki visits the couple in their branched timeline to address the multiversal consequences and instability caused by Steve remaining in the past with Peggy instead of returning via the established timeline rules.
When will Avengers: Doomsday be released in theaters?
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 18, 2026, kicking off Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
