While Avengers: Endgame seemed like the perfect summation of the Infinity Saga, succeeding in wrapping up almost every major character’s arc, it also left some questions answered. And the biggest mystery that arose after Endgame, which still remains unanswered in the MCU is Steve Roger’s reappearance as an old man, which takes place after Iron Man’s funeral.
Considering it has been 3 years since Endgame hit the screens and took the world by storm, fans remain curious to know the explanation about how Captain America marked his return in the original timeline.
MCU Is Still Yet to Answer the Mystery That Was Left Answered in Avengers: Endgame
With Phase 5 picking up steam in the MCU, inching towards the next big chapter in the lives of the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Marvel hasn’t quite tackled the mystery of Chris Evans’ aged Steve Rogers. Although the ending scene involving Rogers fulfilling his promise to Peggy Carter remains a beautiful conclusion for his character, Endgame doesn’t bother answering how Evans made his way back to the original timeline. But there is a possible explanation according to the Russo brothers, who claimed that Steve Rogers created a branched timeline and stayed in the past. Joe Russo explained in Lights Camera Barstool Podcast,
“One thing that’s clear that Anthony and I have discussed, I don’t know that we’ve discussed this publicly at all, Cap would have had to have traveled back to the main timeline. That’s something that, yes, he would have been in a branch reality, but he would have to travel back to the main timeline to give that shield to Sam Wilson.”
However, this explanation doesn’t completely fit, as it remains unclear whether the Pym suits and particles are capable of traveling from a branched to the main timeline. On top of that, the introduction of the Time Variance Authority doesn’t do any favor to this possible explanation, as they surely would’ve intervened in Rogers’ process.
Chris Evans Doesn’t Want to Tarnish Captain America’s Legacy by Returning
Although time will tell whether MCU will ever explain the exact reasoning behind Rogers’ reappearance in Avengers: Endgame, the chances of witnessing Chris Evans in the mix again are slim. Reflecting on the idea of ever reprising the character again, as the multiverse has opened the portal for infinite possibilities, Evans expressed he doesn’t want to tarnish the character’s legacy by returning. He told GMA,
“Oh man, you know, as much as I would love to. That was such a special time in my life. I’m very precious with the character, That’s the problem. I’m so protective of it… There are other stories to tell. For now, we ended on such a good note. I would be too worried about tarnishing…”
With Captain America: Brave New World set to debut next year, fans will hope it finally answers the mystery behind Evans’ reappearance as old man Steve in Avengers: Endgame.
Avengers: Endgame is available to stream on Disney Plus.
