Fans had a wild theory about Captain America in the Doomsday trailer. Endgame: Encore's new ending backs it up
Avengers Endgame: Encore pours petrol on a lingering Captain America theory sparked by the 'Doomsday' trailer, adding another hint it might actually be right.
It turns out Avengers Endgame: Encore is doing more than just taking us for a nostalgic trip through the Marvel archives — it’s also cracking open a whole new box of speculation for Avengers: Doomsday. The re-release isn’t just extended scenes and a bit of polish; Marvel’s thrown in fresh footage and, crucially, a handful of new post-credits scenes that have sent fans spiralling into theory mode all over again. If you thought Steve Rogers’ story was nicely wrapped up back in 2019, think again.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in UK cinemas 18 December, 2026.
Spot the Difference: Steve Rogers’ Curtain Call
The Encore version gives us a slightly different angle on where things left off for Steve Rogers after returning the Infinity Stones. We still catch him dancing with Peggy Carter — nice, neat, a bit of retro happiness after decades on the job. But the extra bit at the end of the credits adds a twist nobody saw coming. Turns out, Steve’s little slice of domestic bliss isn’t quite the end of the story. The Encore scene cuts into their dance with none other than Loki waltzing in and putting a spanner in the works.
Loki doesn’t crash the party to do his usual mischief (well, not entirely). He’s not berating Steve for making a mockery of the space-time continuum, either; instead, he offers to lend a hand. That bit alone signals a new kind of dynamic at play. Suddenly, the door’s wide open for an unlikely Loki–Cap team-up in Doomsday, which, let’s be honest, would have seemed barking mad a couple of films ago.
Read more: Avengers Endgame’s Encore ending sets up a precedent the MCU could regret
Why Are the Trailers So Dodgy?
The Doomsday trailer gives us a tantalising glimpse of a Steve–Thor reunion, but something’s way off with their interactions. Chris Evans plays Steve a little differently: the facial expressions aren’t quite Cap’s usual blend of earnest intensity and world-weary optimism. Instead, it looks almost like someone doing a Cap impression — which, in an MCU context, is saying something. The body language and slightly-too-pleased attitude towards wielding Mjölnir have racked up a fair bit of side-eye on the internet, as Steve already knows he’s worthy after Endgame. Meanwhile, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) seems unnerved — fair enough, considering everyone in-universe thinks Steve is long gone.
- Loki posing as Steve: Because trickster gods just can’t keep their hands to themselves, one theory has Loki shape-shifting as Steve, which would fit the slightly off-kilter performance and Cap’s odd flexing about the hammer. With all Loki’s character growth over his own two seasons, Mjölnir might even now see him as worthy — now that’s a payoff.
- Loki alongside Steve: Alternatively, Loki could simply be stood next to the real Steve (invisible, perhaps, or just cropped out thanks to Marvel’s usual trailer tricks) while Thor clocks his very-much-alive brother. Bear in mind, Marvel’s not above sneakily editing characters out of promo footage to keep spoilers under wraps. Thor’s reaction could be more about Loki than about Steve, since he watched the god of mischief snuff it (again) in Endgame.
Encore’s additions cinch it — Loki and Cap are working together at some point during Doomsday. All those weird vibes and double-takes in the trailers? That’s probably not just bad acting or dodgy direction. Either Loki’s pulling a fast one by channeling Cap, or he’s straight-up alongside him, getting in on the heroics or winding everyone up for the sheer entertainment value.