Entertainment

The Most Important Character in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Is a Rat

Without that rat, none of this would have happened.

Marvel Studios'

By now, you’re probably aware who the real hero is in Avengers: Endgame. It’s the cutest character, the most innocent, and probably the one you want to take care of the most. Yes, you know who we’re talking about! It’s your favorite character in the movie!

The rat!

Spoilers for Avengers: Endgame

That’s right, you know it! That rat that runs across the Quantum Realm machine in Scott Lang’s van is 100 percent the greatest and most helpful lifeform in the entire movie. If this rat had not been so kind as to accidentally trip the mechanism that brought Scott back from the Quantum Realm, literally none of the rest of the movie could have happened. Sure, that security guard who was reading a copy of J.G. Ballard’sTerminal Beach could have maybe, I guess accidentally turned on the machine at some point, too. But, in our reality, in our Endgame, the rat is the reason why everything happens the way it happens. Without Scott Lang, the Avengers don’t learn about time travel, nor do they gain access to the Pim particles. Everything about their plan hinges on Scott popping out of the machine and giving everyone the idea to time travel. Which, is all thanks to the rat.

In Infinity War, Doctor Strange told Tony Stark that he saw multiple futures, and in only one version of the future were the good guys able to win. Clearly, Dr. Strange was looking for the universe in which that little rat decided to save the day by stepping on those buttons. Any version of this universe that does not contain this rat are versions where the runtime for Avengers: Endgame is about 25 minutes, and Tony Stark gets to live a full and happy life with his wife Pepper and his daughter Morgan.

Yes, you all got Spider-Man back because of this rat. But was it worth it? And more importantly, has anyone in the Marvel Universe thanked this rat?

Avengers: Endgame is out now in theaters. Sadly, there is not a post-credits scene involving the rat accidentally bringing Black Widow back to life or running across the controls of Star Lord’s ship to tell him where Gamora is hanging out.