(This post contains SPOILERS for the ending of “Avengers: Endgame.”)
In a deleted scene from “Avengers: Endgame” shared by USA Today that will be included on the film’s upcoming DVD release, the Avengers can be seen mourning the loss of one of the biggest casualties in the fight with Thanos by slowly dropping to one knee in honor of the fallen Avenger.
That victim, of course, is Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), or Iron Man, who managed to wrestle away the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos and snapped his fingers to turn Thanos and his army of monsters to dust. But doing so proved to be too powerful for Tony, and he gave his life as a result of his heroics.
In the clip, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) gives Tony a kiss on the cheek before every Avenger, one by one starting with Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), falls to one knee to pay their respects. The single exception: Gamora (Zoe Saldana).
You may recall that her character died during “Avengers: Infinity War,” only for her character to return via time travel. In this new timeline, the new Gamora would be unaware of all that Iron Man has done for the Avengers, so it makes sense that she would choose to leave. It also gives a hint at what she might be doing in future movies.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo explained in an email to USA Today why they ultimately chose to cut the moment.
“It’s a beautiful scene with moving performances, but we filmed it prior to Tony Stark’s funeral,” the directors said. “The funeral scene ultimately became a more resonant and emotional reflection on Tony’s death for us.”
“Avengers: Endgame” arrives on digital HD on Tuesday and on Blu-Ray and DVD on Aug. 13. Watch the clip via USA Today.