Could it be true? While we were all theorizing about a reinvented Hawkeye coming back to save the day, Captain Marvel being the hero of the hour or even a whole load of time traveling hoopla, have we missed the most obvious explanation for the end of Avengers: Infinity War?
Reddit user Unruhe5517 certainly seems to think so. Whereas we’re now all-too-familiar with the climax of the MCU masterclass (disappearing heroes, broken hearts, bloodshot eyes, etc), this theory leaves us asking what if rather than what next. You see, while Thanos was embroiled in a frankly way too long tug of war with Spidey and Iron Man over the Infinity Gauntlet (thanks Star-Lord), Unruhe5517 suggests that Doctor Strange managed to swap out the Reality Stone with a fake. Ha! I bet you didn’t think of that.
As the theory says, “by doing this, he could make Thanos think everything was going according to plan, that he won and basically would willingly remove the Gauntlet himself because he thought he was finished.” To illustrate their point, Unruhe5517 also goes on to use the example of the Mad Titan’s final scene where he’s sitting and looking upon his work perhaps being a little too idyllic to be realistic.
Although it would feel hugely anti-climactic for all of our heroes’ deaths to be nothing more than a part of Thanos’ glimpse of a reality spun up by Doctor Strange, it does seem like the kind of thing that Earth’s Mightiest Heroes should have at least tried before being bested by the Mad Titan. Then again, for the sake of the reputation of Marvel’s storytelling, let’s hope this theory is far from the truth.
After all, the MCU has spent ten years building the audience’s trust and investment in their characters. A simple bait and switch resolution to one of the most controversial movie endings in recent history would undo a lot of good work and make it difficult for our trust to be rebuilt. At least, that’s how we feel.
What do you think of this Avengers: Infinity War theory, though? Hopefully true or hogwash? Let us know in the comments section down below, and feel free to share any theories of your own.
