The Russo Brothers Explain Why 'Avengers: Endgame' Didn't Have a Post-Credit Scene

The post-credit tag has become a signature for Marvel movies since Nick Fury showed up at the end of of 2008's Iron Man, so fans were naturally disappointed to find out that Avengers: Endgame didn't include one outside of a brief audio stinger.

For those curious as to why, The Russo Brothers, who directed the movie, recently dished details on the creative decision. “It was never in the cards. It was called Endgame for a reason. This is it. This is the ending. The book is closed on that chapter of the Marvel universe and a new book will get written," they said. “This was the first Marvel movie we’ve done where we weren’t thinking about the future. There will be a future, of course, but it’s not our responsibility.”

Many speculated the hammering audio stinger could be a clue to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Reddit threads and Twitter streams laying out imaginative ideas. But for better or worse, “it’s really just an homage to Iron Man, sort of a little bookend,” they explain. “It started it and it ends it.” 

Marvel and producer Kevin Feige are expected to lay out plans for the next phase of movies and streaming series after Spider-Man: Far From Home hits theaters this July. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is reportedly set to begin filming in 2020 with Black Widow, Shang-Chi, and the Angelina Jolie-led The Eternals to film later this year. A Black Panther sequel is also in the works as is a number of Disney+ shows tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.