How Did Captain America Go Back in Time to Be with Peggy Carter in Avengers: Endgame if There Was Already a Version of Himself in the Past Timeline?

Avengers: Endgame presents a complex exploration of time travel through the eyes of Captain America. The film revisits the classic relationship between Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter, enhancing the lore of both the character and the universe. At the heart of this exploration is the intriguing mechanism of parallel timelines, particularly how Captain America could traverse through time and yet exist in different realities.

Time Travel Mechanics

The time travel mechanics in Endgame are rooted in the idea that when someone travels back in time, they do not alter the existing timeline but create a new one. This is described in the film as the creation of a new, branching reality rather than a linear continuity.

When Captain America, played by Steve Rogers, travels to the 1970s to return the Soul Stone, he does not change his original timeline. Instead, he creates a new timeline where he stays with Peggy Carter, his love interest from the past. This means there can be two distinct versions of Steve Rogers: the original who fought in World War II and continued his life, and the new one who chose to remain with Peggy in the alternate timeline.

Alternate Timeline Dynamics

Suppose it is suggested that Captain America goes to a time after he crashed and was frozen in the Atlantic, a time when there was no version of him.

In this scenario, an alternate timeline is created. Rogers goes back to Peggy Carter after returning all the Infinity Stones to their original timelines. In this alternate timeline, Rogers introduces himself as the Steve Rogers who had defeated Red Skull and survived the battle instead of crashing into an ice shelf. This means that in this alternate timeline, Steve Rogers's original version from the main timeline remains buried under the ice, perfectly preserved.

This preservation of Steve Rogers in the original timeline means that if Chris Evans were to return to the role, the original Steve Rogers could still be brought back from beneath the ice. Similarly, Tony Stark's return to the main timeline could occur in a similar manner by traveling back to an alternate timeline where he was saved from the events of Avengers: Infinity War.

Impact on the Protagonists

In the alternate timeline where Rogers and Carter lived a long, happy life, it is logical to conclude that Bucky Barnes was rescued sooner, and Hydra's presence within SHIELD was eradicated. In this timeline, Bucky Barnes would likely take up the mantle of Captain America, as Rogers would likely choose to retire with Carter. Sam Wilson, as an associate and sidekick, would be more prominent with Bucky as the new Captain America.

Over time, Barnes would pass the shield and the mantle to Sam Wilson, with Rogers' blessing. This means that when Rogers returns to the main timeline, he is an old man, even with his regenerative powers, because a significant amount of time has passed in which both Barnes and Wilson have served as Captain America in the alternate timeline.

Conclusion

The time travel and alternate timeline mechanics in Avengers: Endgame create a rich tapestry of possibilities and intricate storytelling. The concept that a journey to the past can create a parallel reality, allowing both original and new timelines to coexist without paradox, adds depth to the narrative and allows for a diverse exploration of the characters and their journeys.

The creation of these alternate realities also leaves room for future adaptations and storylines, potentially exploring more of the characters' histories and their interactions within these new dimensions.

Keywords: Avengers: Endgame, time travel, parallel timelines, Captain America, alternate reality