How the Iconic Portals Scene in Avengers: Endgame Evolved During Post-Production

Avengers: Endgame was the crowning jewel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Infinity Saga, bringing together nearly every hero introduced in its first three phases for an unforgettable final showdown. While the film is packed with iconic moments, the now-legendary portals scene underwent significant changes during its production, sparking intense debates among the creative team.

The Creative Tug-of-War Behind the Portals Scene

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo, along with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, have a long history of collaboration in the MCU, including Avengers: Infinity War. However, their creative process—described as reliant on “debate-club skills”—led to disagreements over one of Endgame’s most celebrated moments.

Originally, the portals scene was envisioned with a simpler approach: the camera would rotate around Captain America (Steve Rogers) as the returning heroes assembled behind him. Joe Russo revealed in an interview with Empire Magazine that he and Anthony Russo pushed for a grander vision, advocating for a sequence where each major hero made a unique entrance through the portals.

The Russos fought for months in the editing room to make this version a reality, even deciding to film additional footage during reshoots. Joe explained their persistence, stating, “F*** it, we’re going to shoot it during reshoots.”

A Clash of Logic and Emotion

While the Russo brothers championed the emotional weight of the expanded scene, McFeely initially resisted the change. He believed the original cut “worked pretty well” and relied on “logic-logic” over “emotional-logic.” However, McFeely later admitted the Russos’ instincts were correct, recognizing the power of emotional storytelling in resonating with audiences.

The final version of the portals scene became a cultural phenomenon, drawing cheers in theaters worldwide and solidifying its place in cinematic history.

The portals moment wasn’t the only aspect of the film that evolved during production:

Steve Rogers Passing the Shield: Actors Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan influenced the tone of the scene where Steve Rogers hands Sam Wilson the Captain America shield. Their input added emotional depth, emphasizing Sam’s hesitation.

The All-Female Avengers Scene: The climactic moment featuring the MCU’s female heroes almost didn’t make the final cut. Concerns about it feeling overly pandering were resolved by toning it down, creating a balanced and empowering sequence.

The meticulous revisions to Avengers: Endgame highlight the creative team’s dedication to delivering an unforgettable experience. Their attention to detail paid off, as the film became a critical and commercial success, grossing over $2.7 billion worldwide and cementing its place as a top-tier MCU entry.