--- description: Here's one possible explanation as to the meaning behind Doctor Strange's message to Iron Man during the final battle of Avengers: Endgame. title: Avengers: Endgame Theory Could Reveal Meaning Behind Doctor Strange Line image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2fa8847939adbfe0/6988acc3cd1bbab50f702f5f/doctor-strange-facebook.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # This _Avengers: Endgame_ Theory Could Reveal the True Meaning Behind Doctor Strange's Cryptic Final Line  by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Jun 13, 2019 5:51 PM CUT  Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures  by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Jun 13, 2019 5:51 PM CUT **Warning:** This post contains spoilers for [_Avengers: Endgame_](https://time.com/5576817/avengers-endgame-review/ "undefined"). The final battle in _Avengers: Endgame_ saw [Tony Stark](https://time.com/5577454/avengers-endgame-deaths/ "undefined"), a.k.a. Iron Man, wear the [Infinity Gauntlet](https://time.com/5227586/mcu-six-infinity-stones/ "undefined") to defeat Thanos once and for all. But the question of whether or not the Avengers would come out on top was apparently up in the air right until that very moment. As our team of superheroes fought for their lives at the site of the destroyed Avengers compound, Tony turned to Doctor Strange to ask him if what was happening was in line with the [one outcome in 14 million](https://time.com/5576656/avengers-endgame-time-travel/ "undefined") in which Strange saw the Avengers defeat Thanos and his army. “If I tell you what happens, it won’t happen,” Strange responds. After _Endgame_ hit theaters, there was something of a debate among viewers over what exactly the Doctor was trying to say. But now, one Reddit user has taken it upon themselves to provide a possible explanation as to the true meaning behind Strange’s words. Basically, the [Redditor theorizes](https://old.reddit.com/r/marvelstudios/comments/byyprp/if%5Fi%5Ftell%5Fyou%5Fwhat%5Fhappens%5Fit%5Fwont%5Fhappen%5Fendgame/ "undefined") that while Strange was exploring all 14,000,605 possible futures in _Infinity War_, he tested a few out in which he told Tony what needed to happen to see if he could save his life by doing so. Unfortunately, he discovered that there was no scenario in which the Avengers were victorious that didn’t also result in Tony’s death. --- > “” --- R.I.P. Iron Man. 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