There have been rumours for a while that Avengers: Doomsday will reveal Steve Rogers is at least partly responsible for the Incursions laying waste to the Multiverse.
Avengers Endgame: Encore ends with an addition to Captain America's reunion with Peggy Carter, as Loki shows up to, presumably, move them both to a timeline where they'll be safe from the Time Variance Authority.
If that ends up being Earth-828, then it's likely what leads to Doctor Doom setting out to reshape reality in his image. Remember, we've heard that Steve's presence somehow leads to the death of Victor's wife and child.
Now, Avengers: Doomsday co-director Anthony Russo has confirmed (via GamesRadar+) that Loki entering Steve and Peggy's life is what directly sets the stage for the battle between Doom and the Multiverse's Mightiest Heroes.
"Well, I mean, you all just saw Endgame Encore, and there's certainly a pivotal moment in that film at the end, where the moment has a different meaning," Anthony explained. "You know, we sort of play one beat past where Steve Rogers' story ended with Peggy Carter, and in that moment, that's where Doomsday is born."
The filmmaker was also asked whether there's any "connective tissue" between Tony Stark and Doom, given that Robert Downey Jr. played them both.
"You tell me. Look, it's certainly a pregnant question," Anthony mused. "But I will say that we are fully committed to Robert Downey as Victor Van Doom, and yes, there is a curiosity around the casting, but you know everything is best left for the theater."
He added, "The cast is so large, and we've announced some of the cast, and we haven't announced some of the cast. I get confused myself over who we've announced and not announced, so I have to just slow down."
"Joe and I are still very deep in the process of finishing Doomsday. We always say we're not done with a movie until they pry it out of our cold, dead hands. So, it's a very iterative process for us... from the time of conception all the way to final delivery of the film. So it is alive, and we're still working with it."
It's not hugely surprising to learn that work isn't quite finished on Avengers: Doomsday, though the Russo Brothers will soon move on to shooting Avengers: Secret Wars. Doomsday reshoots took place recently, which are bound to have strengthened the connective tissue between both movies.
In Avengers: Doomsday, beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to be released on December 18.