How 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' Prepares for 'Avengers: Doomsday'

Avengers: Endgame Encore, the re-release of Avengers: Endgame that comes with new scenes to set the stage for Avengers: Doomsday, has finally arrived in theatersz. And the film does, in fact, fulfill its promise of connecting Marvel Studios' biggest hit with the new movie of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Initially, Endgame Encore doesn't change the original story released in 2019, but it makes small alterations to the ending to create a connection that prepares for the arrival of Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), the new major villain of the MCU after the defeat of Thanos (Josh Brolin).

How does Endgame Encore prepare for the arrival of Doctor Doom?

Although Victor Von Doom (and the Fantastic Four) are not present in the Infinity Saga and the original version of Avengers: Endgame, Encore adds content to make this connection clearer. This happens in the film's final scene, when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) travels back in time to be with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), his great love.

In Encore, the dance scene between the two – which closes the original version of Endgame – is interrupted by the doorbell ringing. Steve hides and Peggy opens the door, finding herself face to face with Loki (Tom Hiddleston), following the events of the two seasons of Loki. He and the hero exchange a serious look and the scene ends.

Another difference between the versions that helps connect Endgame and Doctor Doom concerns the post-credits scene of Encore. In it, we see Mark Ruffalo's Dr. Bruce Banner in a secret prison more than 2km below the surface. Visibly disturbed by having had his first incident in years, he is recording a scientist's diary documenting his experiments to try and cure his transformation into the Hulk once and for all.

That's when Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom appears. We don't see him, but the green energy of his magic infects the scene. Banner shouts, "What are you doing here?" and Doom replies, "I've come to collect you, Dr. Banner." We hear Banner transforming into the Hulk and a battle begins. At the end, the camera drops and we see Doctor Doom's runes on the walls and floor of the place. Banner and Doom are no longer there. They seem to have been transported.