Like every other Marvel Studios release before it, and probably every single one still to come, Avengers: Endgame was stuffed with cameos and subtle callbacks to MCU past.
And though a lot of them were expected, there was one cameo in particular that really took folks by surprise. If you’ll recall, during Tony Stark’s funeral, hidden amongst the superheroes and deities is none other than Harley Keener, the little kid who helped Tony during the throes of Iron Man 3. He’s all grown up in Endgame though, and was seen paying his respects to the late, great Stark, who perished during the climactic battle with Thanos.
But just like the Russo brothers, his cameo was a point of concern for the film’s writers. Speaking to THR recently, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely revealed that they weren’t sure if they should include Keener in the movie at first as they were worried audiences wouldn’t recognize him.
McFeely: We certainly debated it. “I recognize all these people, but this kid has grown like a weed over the past five years.”
Markus: It’s weird, because it is a sequence that’s all about recognition. Oh my god, look at all those people I know, and you hit this kid and you’re like OK…
That’s certainly a fair concern to have, and as it turns out, a lot of people actually didn’t recognize Harley upon first glance. Still, we’re happy he was included as it was a sweet little reference to Tony’s third solo adventure. And besides, maybe he’ll be inspired by Iron Man to step into the superhero game. Perhaps he’ll even join the rumored Young Avengers alongside an all grown up Cassie Lang.
It’s all up to Marvel Studios and Simpkins whether or not Harley has a future beyond Avengers: Endgame, of course, but in the meantime, we’ll see Tony’s other young companion back in action quite soon when Peter Parker returns to the fray with the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home on July 2nd.