Warning: This post contains potential spoilers for Avengers Endgame: Encore
After the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, all eyes immediately switched to the next Marvel Cinematic Universe film: Avengers: Doomsday. The most ambitious superhero crossover is nearly upon us, and while we've gotten a few looks at the surprises awaiting Earth's Mightiest Heroes later this year, we'll finally get to see what's truly hiding behind the curtain soon.
Before the Multiverse Saga begins its final chapter, we'll be able to re-experience the end of the Infinity Saga one more time. Avengers Endgame: Encore will be a re-release of the original 2019 ensemble film and is set to hit theaters on Sep. 25, 2026. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo even deemed it a "must-watch" before Doomsday arrives, stating that "there's a natural progression from Endgame into Doomsday, which is also inclusive of all the other stories that have been playing out."
Avengers Endgame: Encore won't just retell the tale that played out seven years ago, but it will feature three minutes of never-before-seen footage that will connect directly to the events of Avengers: Doomsday. However, one of the new sequences could've made its way online sooner than anticipated, and it explains how Doom plans to take over the multiverse as a whole.
Avengers Endgame: Encore will reportedly feature a scene of Doctor Doom recruiting the Hulk
According to multiple industry insiders—such as X0XLEAK, ProjectHurts, and Blue Minutes—one of the new scenes in Avengers Endgame: Encore will feature Doctor Doom recruiting the Hulk just ahead of the events of Avengers: Doomsday.
This isn't the first time we've heard about iconic MCU heroes potentially giving in to the dark side and joining the ruler of Latveria. Back on Apr. 15, 2026, renowned scooper Alex Perez revealed that Marvel planned to bring back multiple characters (including Wanda Maximoff) as Doom's followers in Avengers: Doomsday. Furthermore, they would all wear metallic masks "that look like the ones from the movie Kingdom of Heaven."
Fast-forward to San Diego Comic-Con 2026, and Marvel gave us our first look at the Latverian Witch—a mysterious figure who wears a robe similar to Doom's and also happens to wear a metallic mask that does look like the ones from Kingdom of Heaven. Day after day, the Latverian Witch display was changed at SDCC to showcase different witches wearing different colors. This all but confirmed that Doctor Doom will have an entire coven by his side.
One of the members of this secret group is widely rumored to be Doctor Strange. After all, his metallic mask happens to have a third eye, much like the soon-to-be Sorcerer Supreme. Incidentally, insider James Mack revealed all the way back in January 2026 that Avengers: Doomsday would feature a group of several "Dooms," and that one of them looks like the Hulk. As such, the idea that Doctor Doom will recruit Bruce Banner seems extremely likely.
Interestingly, the Green Goliath, Doctor Strange, and Wanda Maximoff weren't part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement. This suggests Marvel intended to keep the identity of Doom's followers secret until release day. As such, any other character who hasn't been confirmed to join the movie just yet (like Clea, for example) could very well make a surprise appearance as a "villain."
Of course, it's always important to take rumors with a grain of salt. After all, different reports suggested that new footage in Avengers Endgame: Encore would feature a scene where Loki visits Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter in the past. Other theories suggest we could see the ruler of Latveria himself forging his Doom mask in a scene reminiscent of the time Tony Stark crafted his first-ever Iron Man helmet while trapped in a cave.
On the bright side, we don't have to wait long now to discover how exactly Avengers Endgame: Encore will tie into the events of Avengers: Doomsday. However, it wouldn't be surprising to learn that there was some truth behind all the recent Hulk reports.
Avengers Endgame: Encore arrives in movie theaters on September 25, 2026. Avengers: Doomsday also arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google