I hate this Marvel theory about Doctor Doom in Avengers: Endgame's re-release – because I think it will happen and ruin Tony Stark's perfect goodbye

Every so often there is a fan theory that comes along and sticks in your brain. Whether it's a killer idea or one that's so-bad-it's-actually-good, there's usually a case to be made for it to make the jump to our screens.

But that's not the case with this Marvel theory, one that posits the upcoming re-release of Avengers: Endgame will set up Avengers: Doomsday with a subtle piece of post-credits revisionism.

Taking to Twitter, @ghostface0_0 wrote, "Said it before, saying it again, they're retroactively going to turn the metal clanking sounds from the making of the Mark 1 suit at the end of Endgame into the forging of Doom's mask."

In case your memory of Endgame is a little hazy, the culmination of the Infinity Saga sidestepped the usual MCU post-credits setup for a grand tribute to the OG set of Avengers, ultimately ending on where it all began: the clanging sound of Tony Stark's hammer as he constructed his first Iron Man suit in Afghanistan.

So, could Stark's final farewell tie into Doom's emergence in the MCU? Well, that's precisely why I hate the theory – because there's a fair chance it could happen.

We already know Avengers: Endgame's re-release will feature deleted scenes and surprises, while Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed at CinemaCon that Doomsday will take place right after the events of Endgame.

And what better way to forge some connective tissue than by bridging the gap between Robert Downey Jr.'s two Marvel characters and spreading some narrative breadcrumbs for Doctor Doom?

But, to me, Tony Stark's goodbye was perfect. The 'I am Iron Man' – an idea only chanced upon after the initial round of filming – was a perfect coda that immediately went down in pop culture history.

To reduce that fan-pleasing moment and subsequent subtle tribute to Iron Man's humble beginnings in the credits all to set up Doom would do a disservice to both. So, let's hope Marvel Studios leaves Avengers: Endgame alone as it makes one final attempt to surpass Avatar and reclaim its throne as the highest-grossing movie of all time.

Besides, we'll see Doom soon enough. An Avengers: Doomsday behind-closed-doors trailer premiered at CinemaCon, focusing on a handful of showdowns, including Doctor Doom vs. Thor and, excitingly, Shang-Chi vs. Gambit.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18.

For more, check out what else is in the works with our guide to upcoming Marvel movies.