One of the biggest hits in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was Avengers: Endgame, and that’s undeniable. With so many unforgettable moments, even six years later, it’s still considered a triumph of the studio’s golden era. Yet, there’s one detail that still messes with people’s heads: The scene of Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) funeral is undoubtedly the heaviest and saddest moment in the movie, but among all the familiar faces, a teenager suddenly appears alone, standing in the background, with no introduction. Blink, and you miss him; notice him, and you’re left confused: who is this kid, and why is he at the most important scene in the movie?
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Some assumed he was just an extra to fill the frame, while others left the theater racking their brains for a past character that might make sense. For a long time, most people were left scratching their heads. It turns out that kid was none other than Harley Keener (Ty Simpkins), the boy from Iron Man 3, now grown up. In that movie, Tony rewards him by leaving a garage full of high-tech tools and gadgets – a single scene that became especially striking and seemed to mark the start of a mentor-protégé relationship.
Harley Keener’s Endgame Cameo Makes No Sense
But here’s the thing: even today, the decision to put him in Tony’s funeral in Endgame still doesn’t have a fully convincing explanation, and on Reddit, there are still people wondering about it. It took interviews with the Russo Brothers for fans to realize it was the same kid who helped Tony years ago when he was armorless and completely vulnerable. The problem is, Iron Man 3 isn’t exactly a movie that sticks in everyone’s mind, and Harley never appeared in the MCU again. Naturally, half the audience didn’t recognize him, and let’s be honest: maybe the hero’s funeral is not the best moment to confuse your audience.
That’s not to say the idea was bad – far from it. Harley being there actually makes sense. He was important in a crisis moment for Tony and forged an emotional bond with him. He was curious, smart, and, deep down, represented something Tony never admitted he needed: someone to truly care about him. The problem is that the MCU turned this return into an Easter egg, not a clear homage. Harley shows up alone, without a single line, and no one even acknowledges him. It’s the kind of detail that works for hardcore fans who rewatch everything, but for the general audience, it almost feels like a mistake, giving a close-up to a random extra.
Over the years, Marvel Studios has mastered the art of tying together stories and characters in ways that reward eagle-eyed fans. But there’s a line between smart reference and a detail that disrupts the story. Harley’s cameo falls into the latter. When a major scene needs a Google search right after the film, something hasn’t been executed well. Tony’s funeral should be a universal moment, and while it is impactful, it also became a riddle for much of the audience (especially casual viewers who don’t follow the genre closely).
The Bigger Question: What Was Harley’s Cameo Supposed To Set Up?
What makes it even stranger? Nothing came of it. Since 2019, Harley hasn’t appeared in any MCU project – no mentions, no development, no promise of future involvement. So the obvious question is: what was the point of bringing him back in Endgame?
Since Iron Man 3‘s release, there has been some speculation that Harley could eventually become Iron Lad, or a lead in Ironheart (even though Riri Williams isn’t considered the official successor). He had the skills, and for years, fans saw him as an incredible candidate to carry the legacy forward. But it never happened, and nothing was confirmed. If it were just fan service, it only landed with a small portion of the audience. Cool? Sure. But the result was a detail that felt bigger than it actually was, because it had no payoff.
Actually, the bigger problem was execution. Imagine if Harley had a moment of interaction, or even a brief line reflecting on Tony in an eulogy. That alone would give the audience context and justify his presence. Instead, he shows up like a stranger. For a movie billed as the epic conclusion to a decade of storytelling, the choice feels out of place. For Harley, Tony wasn’t just Iron Man, but someone who changed his life. Being at the funeral is logical, but the logic just got buried in a scene that should have been straightforward and devastating.
The boy from Iron Man 3 returned in Endgame to make an appearance in a historic moment, but nobody explained why. Six years later, it’s still the same: a really cool Easter egg, a nice little tribute, but one of the most confusing creative choices in the MCU – something that should’ve been handled better so it wasn’t just what it was and didn’t leave people confused.
What did you think of Harley’s cameo at Tony’s funeral? Did you recognize him right away, or were you confused for a while? Was it a good tribute as it was, or could it have led to more for him in the MCU? Let us know in the comments! Want to stay up to date on the biggest geek entertainment news? Add us as a preferred source in Google – HERE, and join our community over on the ComicBook Forum!
Avengers: Endgame is now streaming on Disney+.
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