The Many Timelines in Avengers: Endgame: A Comprehensive Analysis

The Marvel film Avengers: Endgame is a complex exploration of time travel and the multiverse theory. While the movie does not specify an exact number of timelines created, it is clear that each interaction with the past forms a new timeline. This article will delve into the various timelines created in the film and explore the implications of the multiverse theory as it pertains to the Avengers' actions and the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Key Moments That Formed Timelines in Avengers: Endgame

The film implies that each interaction with the past forms a new timeline, leading to a branching of multiverses. Here are the key moments that formed these timelines:

Timeline 1: The Main Timeline

This is the primary timeline where all the 22 MCU films take place. The actions of the Avengers in this timeline are essential in their efforts to undo the damage caused by Thanos. Key moments in this timeline include:

The Battle of New York in 2012, where they encountered the original Avengers. Asgard in 2013, where Thor and Rocket retrieved the Reality Stone. Vormir in 2014, where Black Widow sacrificed herself for the Soul Stone. The 1970s to retrieve the Space Stone, where they encountered a younger version of Howard Stark.

Timeline 2: The Loki-Induced Timeline

This timeline emerges when Loki successfully escapes with the Tesseract in 2012. The repercussions include Captain America fighting Captain America, leading to a new conflict and a change in the 2012 timeline. Loki's actions and the subsequent events in this timeline are reverted, but it still forms a distinct branch.

Timeline 3: The 2023 Thanos Timeline

In this timeline, Thanos, Nebula, and Gamora from 2014 travel to 2023, resulting in their deaths except Gamora. This change means that the subsequent events, including the collection of the Infinity Stones by Thanos, do not occur in this timeline.

Timeline 4: Captain America’s Decision to Stay in the 1970s

At the end of the film, Captain America returns the Infinity Stones and chose to stay with Peggy Carter in the 1970s. This decision creates yet another timeline where he is no longer frozen in ice, leading to two Cap versions: one in the ice and one living with Peggy Carter.

Implications of the Multiverse Theory in Avengers: Endgame

The multiverse theory explored in Avengers: Endgame suggests that each action taken in the past forms a new timeline. This branching of timelines has significant implications for the broader narrative and the future of the MCU.

For example, the retrieval of the Space Stone by Captain America, Tony, and Bruce in 2012, along with the subsequent actions of the other Avengers, forms a complex web of timelines. If Captain America had not gone back to retrieve the Space Stone, the events in 2012 would have unfolded differently, resulting in a distinct timeline.

Time Jumps in Avenger’s Quest for the Stones

The Avengers made several time jumps during their quest for the Infinity Stones. These time jumps and the subsequent changes have led to the creation of different timelines:

Timeline 1: Captain America, Tony, and Bruce went to get the Space Stone, Mind Stone, and Time Stone in 2014. However, they failed to retrieve the Space Stone correctly, leading to the subsequent timeline.

Timeline 2: Captain America and Tony attempted to return to the present with the Space Stone and Pym Particles in 2014.

Timeline 3: Natalia, Clint, Nebula, and War Machine went to get the Soul Stone and Power Stone in 2012. This event led to the creation of a distinct timeline.

Timeline 4: Thor and Rocket went to get the Reality Stone in 2014, further branching the timeline.

Consequences of Removing Infinity Stones

The removal of Infinity Stones from their original timelines can lead to significant cosmic chaos. For example, the removal of the Time Stone could result in the absence of time itself, leading to a potential resurgence of Dormammu. Similarly, the removal of the Power Stone could result in the loss of gravity, leading to the universe's destruction.

Hank Pym’s words to Banner about the consequences of removing an Infinity Stone serve as a warning: the stones must be returned, but not necessarily in their original form. This means that Captain America's return of the stones will allow the sequent timelines to continue, but with significant changes. These changes can include the absence of certain characters, the rise of new villains, and the alteration of key events in the MCU timeline.

Impact of the Returned Infinity Stones on the Timelines

The return of the Infinity Stones has a profound impact on the created timelines:

No Change Related to Time Stone

Timeline 1: The Time Stone can be returned without issue, except for potential interference if Captain America is influenced to get involved in the war.

Timeline 1: The Mind Stone cannot be returned to the past because Captain America no longer has the staff. This leads to potential issues with Wanda Maximoff and her brother obtaining their powers, which could affect the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Timeline 1: The Space Stone was taken from 2014, but Loki escaped with it. This timeline is ultimately reverted, but it leads to significant changes. Loki may not be Thor’s good brother, S.H.I.E.L.D. may lose the Tesseract, and Thor may not return from Avenger III.

The Tesseract’s Impact on Timeline 2

Timeline 2: The Tesseract cannot be returned to its original timeline due to the missing Pym Particles. This leads to significant changes in the Avengers' formation and the subsequent events, including Nick Fury's experiments and the ULTRON storyline.

The Soul Stone and the Guardians of the Galaxy

Timeline 3: The Soul Stone cannot be returned, leading to changes for Peter Quill and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Gamora's absence and the potential for Ego to harness Peter's power could significantly alter the fate of the universe.

The Aether’s Impact on Timeline 4

Timeline 4: The Aether is not returned, leading to significant changes in Thor's life and the rise of new villains. The Thor II storyline is altered, and Loki remains hostile.

The branching of timelines in Avengers: Endgame serves as a critical element in the broader narrative of the MCU. Each interaction with the past forms a new timeline, leading to complex consequences for the future of the multiverse.

Keywords: timelines in Avengers: Endgame, multiverse theory, infinity stones