The Gap in Time Between the Snap and the Beginning of Endgame: An In-Depth Analysis
Introduction
The Avengers: Endgame film is a blockbuster event that has captivated audiences across the globe, but it leaves an intriguing question unanswered: How much time passed between the snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War and the beginning of Endgame?
Understanding the Snap and its Immediate Impact
The snap, or "the snap," refers to the catastrophic moment in Avengers: Infinity War when Thanos uses the Infinity Stones to reverse the annihilation of half of all life in the universe. This event instantly kills nearly half the population, leading to a ripple effect that impacts the remaining half in various ways. The immediate aftermath sees survivors grappling with the loss and trying to piece together what they can of their shattered lives.
Tony Stark’s Commentary in Endgame
In the opening scene of Endgame, Tony Stark, nowHref"_Stark" target"_blank">Hawkeye, is recording a message to Pepper. During this scene, Tony famously says, "Today’s day... twenty-one, no, twenty-two."
This statement is significant and reveals that the gap between the snap and the beginning of Endgame is approximately twenty-two days. This tidbit of information was correctly considered to be a precise timing according to the film's internal logic. However, this day count might not be the full extent of the time that has passed, especially due to the time required for Captain Marvel to arrive on Earth after being pulled out of space.
The Five-Year Leap
The gap between the immediate aftermath of the snap and the initial scenes of Endgame is depicted as only twenty-two days. However, this depiction is quickly contradicted by the passage of a five-year time jump into the future. Around the midpoint of the film, we see a dramatic shift where characters reflect on their circumstances, and the audience is provided with this significant time leap.
This choice by the film's creators to introduce the five-year gap is not without its rationale. It allows for compelling storytelling, character development, and the necessary emotional journey for the characters to face the stakes that Endgame brings. The five-year jump provides the audience with a sense of the world's recovery and the societal changes that have occurred in this intervening period.
Conclusion
The gap between the snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War and the opening scenes of Endgame is a carefully crafted narrative device. The twenty-two-day period before the five-year jump serves to highlight the immediate effects and the initial response to the tragedy. The five-year gap, in turn, provides the backdrop for the film's larger themes and goals, allowing for a deeper exploration of character and plot.
Side Note: The Marvel Cinematic Universe Timeline
It's worth noting that these timelines and characters' ages are subject to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU's) internal consistency. The time passing is grounded in the fictional history established within the universe, making it a deeply immersive experience for fans.