The portal sequence in Avengers: Endgame is an MCU moment that may never be topped, despite a glaring plot hole that could have been avoided. Audiences had to wait a year to find out what would happen to their favorite Marvel heroes after Thanos used the Infinity Stones to snap his fingers and turn half of them to dust in Avengers: Infinity War. After Hulk used the recovered Infinity Stones to snap everyone back, the heroes slowly emerged through Doctor Strange’s portals, joining Captain America and the other Avengers to fight Thanos and his army.

It was a moment of relief and excitement for audiences and a surreal scene that brought together 11 years of universe-spanning superhero filmmaking. It was a testament to the growth and success that the MCU created starting with 2008’s Iron Man. However, the scene contains a plot hole with Thanos, who simply stands around and watches the Avengers ᴀssemble, waiting for each hero to get their applause before he attacks. According to the Russo Brothers, who directed both Infinity War and Endgame, this issue could have been avoided if the film had stuck with the original version, but the plot hole is still worth it.

Avengers: Endgame’s Portal Scene Didn’t Feature Any Build-Up In The Original Cut

The Avengers showed up without any showmanship

It’s hard to imagine Avengers: Endgame without the portal sequence, but it almost looked very different. In an interview with Empire, Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo said they had to fight to get the version they wanted. The original cut didn’t feature the Avengers slowly emerging from the portals. Instead, Captain America turned around and they were all there.

There was probably some debate regarding the most famous moment, I think, of all the Marvel films, which is the portals opening at the end of Avengers: Endgame. The original concept was that the camera rotated around Steve Rogers and everybody was collected behind him. It didn’t have these individual entrances for the characters, and that actually was a big debate. I remember fighting that one for months in the edit room. I’m not going to say who was on what side, but that was a grinder. I remember Anth and I going, ‘F-ck it, we’re going to shoot it during reshoots.’

The original scene sounds closer to the climax of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, when Lando’s fleet arrives at Exegol to fight the Sith army. While it would have been a spectacle to see all the Avengers suddenly behind Captain America, many little character moments of the portal scene would have been erased if there had been no build-up. It was an excellent way of bringing everyone back and hyping up the final battle between the Avengers and Thanos.

The Original Version Would Have Solved A Thanos Plot Hole

Thanos could have attacked sooner than he did

There is plenty of cinematic showmanship during Endgame‘s portal scene. The swelling music, the dramatic timing, and each hero’s grand entrance. The audience loved watching this sequence, but the only person who may have enjoyed watching it more is Thanos. Thanos’ army was on the move, ready to finish off the Avengers and destroy the Earth. However, as the portals open, Thanos stops and watches as each powerful hero and army steps through and forms a super army that can stand against him.

A wiser general would have struck before the Avengers could ᴀssemble, but Thanos took his sweet time and allowed each character to make a dramatic entrance. While it benefited the movie, it didn’t benefit Thanos, who would have had the upper hand if he caught them off guard. The original version would have solved this logic issue with Thanos, since all the Avengers would have formed quickly, thereby removing the strange span of time when the Mad тιтan and his army simply watched on while their opponents ᴀssembled. Instead, Thanos would not have waited for the Avengers to form, and the battle would have started much faster.

The Original Cut Would Have Diluted One Of Avengers: Endgame’s Best Moments

The portal scene is iconic for many reasons

The portal scene is perfect as it is, despite the plot hole. The Russo Brothers should be thanked for fighting for the version they delivered. The Avengers returning is a mᴀssive moment unto itself, but there are little things in it that remain special. Audiences went wild when Spider-Man came back after he told Mr. Stark he didn’t feel so good and then turned to dust. T’Challa being the first character out of the portal was an exceptional decision and is now more bittersweet – and more special – because of Chadwick Boseman’s death.

There are also great callbacks, like Sam Wilson saying, “On your left,” to Steve Rogers, and Easter eggs that are easy to miss, like Howard the Duck with a gun. The original version also would have removed Alan Silvestri’s expert score during this scene that ends with a triumphant version of the Avengers theme. It’ll be hard for the Russo Brothers to top this Avengers: Endgame moment in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, but if anyone can do it, it’s them.

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