While Avengers: Endgame juggles just about the largest cast of any MCU movie to date, the focus remains primarily on the original six Phase 1 heroes, each of whom finishes the era-closing blockbuster on a very different note. And since we’re going to be discussing each of these endings right here, be warned that some pretty huge spoilers lie ahead.
Let’s start with Captain America. While many fans were predicting a heroic death for the First Avenger, others were hoping that he’d travel back in time and settle down for a quiet life with Peggy Carter, and as it turns out, that’s exactly what happens. After Steve journeys into the past one last time to return the Infinity Stones, he then reappears on a nearby bench, aged several decades, before passing on the Captain America mantel to Falcon.
One hero who doesn’t get to grow old, however, is Iron Man, who uses the stones to snap away Thanos and his minions, killing himself in the process. And speaking of characters who make the sacrifice play, Black Widow ends her journey by throwing herself off the cliff on Vormir so that Clint Barton can acquire the Soul Stone. Though it was already heavily rumored that Natasha Romanoff’s upcoming solo movie would be a prequel, it now feels safe to assume that the hearsay has it right.
As for Clint, the hero also known as Hawkeye and Ronin returns to his newly revived family, though you can expect his story to continue with his own Disney Plus show. Meanwhile, another character who looks primed for future outings is Thor, who joins the Guardians of the Galaxy after passing his crown to Valkyrie.
Last on the list is Bruce Banner, who remains content in his Professor Hulk persona by the end of the movie. In his final scene, Hulk is shown with his arm in a sling after using the Infinity Gauntlet to bring back the snap victims, though it’s unclear if the damage is permanent. Whether or not Hulk’s story ends with Avengers: Endgame has yet to be confirmed, but here’s hoping Marvel can make some announcements once the MCU’s 2019 slate is complete.