Steve Rogers’ Fate After Endgame: Alternate Timelines and Lasting Consequences

At the close of Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers takes it upon himself to return the six Infinity Stones to their original points in time. This task sees him handing the Time Stone back to the Ancient One in 2012, the Power Stone to Star-Lord in 2014, Loki’s Sceptre in 2012, and the Tesseract to S.H.I.E.L.D. in the 1970s, among others. Yet, Rogers’ journey does not follow a straightforward path, as he makes a personal choice that has far-reaching effects on the fabric of reality.

Timeline Deviations and the Birth of New Realities

According to the rules set out in the film, any alteration to the past can result in a new branch forming off the so-called Sacred Timeline. By returning the Stones, Rogers is meant to close these branches. However, he chooses to remain in the past, settling down with Peggy Carter and living out a life with her. This decision is a significant divergence, as the original timeline had Rogers frozen in ice while Carter married someone else. His choice appears to have created a new timeline, one that persists because he decided to stay.

There are two prevailing interpretations of this outcome. One suggests that Rogers’ actions led to a separate timeline, with two versions of himself coexisting: the older Rogers living quietly with Carter, and the younger version still encased in ice. The directors, Anthony and Joe Russo, have stated on the Lights Camera Barstool podcast,

"it creates a branched timeline that was NOT a part of the Sacred Timeline."

This view implies that both versions of Rogers exist simultaneously, but in different realities.

Alternative Theories and Paradoxes

Another perspective, favoured by the film’s writers, is that Rogers was always meant to return to the past and become Carter’s mysterious husband, whose identity was never revealed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this scenario, his presence in the past was always part of the Sacred Timeline. However, this raises a paradox: what becomes of the original Rogers still frozen beneath the ice? The directors’ theory of a branched timeline is generally more widely accepted, though it introduces its own complications.

Rogers’ decision to remain in the past means that, for a time, two versions of him exist in the same reality. The older Rogers enjoys a life with Carter, while the younger remains in suspended animation until his eventual revival. This situation could leave the timeline unstable for years, especially after Carter’s death in 2016, potentially making it vulnerable to external threats.

Potential for Incursion and Unintended Consequences

During a conversation between the Ancient One and Hulk, it is mentioned that a timeline missing an Infinity Stone becomes

"susceptible to attacks from outer worlds,"

which could lead to an incursion—the collision of two universes. Rogers’ choice to stay in the past, thereby creating a new branch, may have set the stage for such an event. The existence of two Steve Rogers in one timeline could destabilise reality, opening the door for dark forces, perhaps even Doctor Doom, to exploit the situation.

Thus, what appears to be a simple, heartfelt decision by Captain America could, over time, have dramatic repercussions. While nothing is confirmed, there is considerable debate over whether his actions might eventually lead to catastrophic consequences for the universe.

Key Details from Avengers: Endgame

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film features Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., and Scarlett Johansson. Released on 26 April 2019, it boasts an IMDb rating of 8.4/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%. The film grossed $2.7 billion worldwide and is available to stream on Disney+.

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