'Avengers Endgame: Encore' Reignites Captain America 'Doomsday' Theory

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Avengers Endgame: Encore.Avengers Endgame: Encore is reigniting discussions of the original film, and it’s also adding fuel to the ones surrounding Avengers: Doomsday. The new footage featured in Endgame‘s re-release draws deeper connections between the 2019 sequel and the Multiverse Saga’s looming two-part conclusion. And there’s a Doomsday theory that’s even more convincing following one of the four post-credits scenes from Avengers: Endgame Encore.

The post-credits scene in question picks up with Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) where Endgame leaves him: dancing with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) after returning the Infinity Stones to their rightful timelines. He chooses to stay behind with her, and it initially seems like a well-earned — if continuity-breaking — happy ending. However, Avengers Endgame: Encore reveals there’s more to that scene, and that twist lays further foundation for a Doomsday theory about Steve Rogers’s character.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Theory Claims Loki Is Part of Steve & Thor’s Reunion

The trailer for Avengers: Doomsday shows a reunion between Steve Rogers and Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a moment that’s certain to spark excitement no matter how it plays out in full. However, viewers were quick to recognize that something felt off about their first encounter since Avengers: Endgame. Steve’s expressions don’t quite match Captain America’s usual demeanor; indeed, Evans looks like a character playing a character. He also seems a bit too pleased that Mjölnir answers him, despite knowing he’s worthy after Endgame. Thor is also more shaken by Steve’s appearance than he should be, but that could be attributed to the fact that everyone believes Steve is dead.

Due to these oddities, theories about Loki (Tom Hiddleston) being involved in this scene have emerged. One suggests that Loki is using his shape-shifting abilities to pose as Steve Rogers, explaining Steve’s slightly-off mannerisms and pride over lifting Mjölnir. The hammer might finally deem Loki worthy after his growth in Loki Seasons 1 and 2.

Loki could also be with Steve in this scene, rather than impersonating him, as it wouldn’t be the first time the details of an MCU scene were edited out of a trailer to avoid spoilers. Although this wouldn’t necessarily account for Steve’s strangeness, it would make sense of Thor’s shocked reaction. He watches his brother die in Endgame, so seeing him again would pack quite an emotional punch.

‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ Post-Credits Scene Adds Fuel to This Steve Rogers Theory

Avengers Endgame: Encore adds fuel to this Doomsday theory, confirming that Steve and Loki will be working together for part of the film. The original trailer alludes to this, depicting Loki outside a house that looks a lot like the one Steve and Peggy are shown in. The new Endgame: Encore scene of Loki interrupting their dance confirms it, and it reveals that he’s not there to scold or punish Steve for messing with time. Instead, he offers to help the pair, alluding to some sort of team-up between Loki and Steve.

And that supports either theory about Loki’s presence during Steve and Thor’s reunion. If the two are collaborating, he could very well be standing beside Steve when he approaches Thor. Their plan could also involve Loki impersonating Steve for whatever reason, or he could be doing it for fun. (Just because he’s grown doesn’t mean he can’t embrace that good, old trickster sense of humor.)

Whatever happens, it’ll be exciting to see Hiddleston’s and Evans’s characters on-screen again, and to see them teaming up rather than fighting one another. We’ll have to wait for Avengers: Doomsday to hit theaters before learning the truth behind their adventure and reconnection with Thor.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on Dec. 18, 2026.