Exploring the Multiverse and Thanos' Threat in Alternate Timelines: An Analysis Post-Endgame

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), particularly after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the concept of timelines and the multiverse was significantly expanded. When the Avengers traveled back in time to retrieve the Infinity Stones, they created branching timelines whenever they altered events from the past. This is a critical point to understand as we explore the implications for Thanos' potential as a threat across these alternate realities.

Infinity Stones and Timelines

The return of the Infinity Stones to their original points in time, as the Avengers aimed to do in Endgame, was intended to prevent the creation of new timelines. However, the act of taking the Stones in the first place created alternate timelines. This is particularly emphasized in the scenario where Loki escapes with the Tesseract, resulting in a new timeline that diverges from the main MCU continuity.

In Loki (the TV series), Loki's time travel created a new reality that is separate from the main MCU. Similarly, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the multiverse is further explored and characters like Doctor Strange work to navigate and stabilize these different realities. The return of the Infinity Stones by the Avengers would have the potential to influence these alternate timelines, potentially altering the course of events and creating new realities.

Thanos as a Threat in Alternate Timelines

Original to the main timeline, Thanos was defeated in Endgame. However, in some alternate timelines, the original Thanos from the main MCU would not exist, as he was defeated. In these timelines, the absence of the original Thanos changes the landscape entirely. However, if Thanos manages to obtain the Stones or remains undefeated in any timeline, he could still pose a significant threat.

The multiverse concept allows for different versions of characters, meaning that alternate versions of Thanos could exist in these timelines. This is a critical point, as it opens up the possibility of multiple potential threats. For instance, in one alternate reality, THANOS might have survived Endgame and could potentially be a recurring villain.

Steve's Time Travel and Its Impact

Considering the scenario in which Steve Rogers (Captain America) time travels to retrieve the Infinity Stones, the new alternate realities are created after the Infinity Stone is removed from its timeline. After the death of Thanos, Steve time travels to return the Infinity Stones to their respective timelines. This action by Steve essentially "snips off" the errant timeline, leaving only the main timeline. The returned Infinity Stone erased the new alternate reality from existence, thus ensuring that Thanos is not a threat in those specific timelines.

The events of Endgame and Steve's actions align with the narrative where Thanos dies in 2023. In these specific timelines, the threat of a surviving Thanos is mitigated because he is defeated and does not have a chance to regroup or obtain the Infinity Stones.

Understanding the dynamics of timelines and the multiverse is crucial in comprehending the immediate and long-term impact of the events in Avengers: Endgame. The exploration of these themes continues in subsequent MCU projects, emphasizing the complexity and interconnectivity of these alternate realities.