Could Pepper Potts Have Saved Tony Stark with Extremis at the End of Avengers: Endgame?

At the end of Avengers: Endgame, many fans wondered if Pepper Potts could have saved Tony Stark by injecting him with Extremis. However, the use of Extremis by Stark himself in Iron Man 3 provides us with important context for this scenario.

Tony Already Used Extremis

At the end of Iron Man 3, Tony Stark 'fixes' Extremis to save Pepper Potts and repair the large hole in his chest where the Arc Reactor previously resided. This upgrade removes the need for the Arc Reactor to shield his heart from shrapnel, making the Reactor serve as a power source for his suits, not his life support.

The Problem With Extremis

Extremis, a fictional technology from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is known for its miraculous healing and physical enhancement properties. However, it requires severe risks and serious limitations.

Body Acceptance and Healing Risks

Back in Iron Man 3, the characters learn about Extremis and its hazards. The process involves the body accepting and adjusting to the technology, which can be extremely painful and life-threatening. In Iron Man 3, both Killian (who created Extremis) and his co-conspirator Hansen are depicted as deceased characters, implying the irreversible nature of the treatment once administered.

Pepper Potts, despite her dedication to Stark, is not a scientist who worked on Extremis. Therefore, she likely lacks the knowledge needed to administer the treatment. Moreover, the process is dangerous, as even individuals in good physical condition, such as military veterans who volunteered, struggled to adapt and sometimes failed.

Stark's Current Condition

After using the Soul Stone in Avengers: Infinity War, Stark became extremely weak—so weak that he could barely speak or communicate. His condition was severe enough that he died shortly after. Given this, it is unlikely that even Extremis could fully restore him.

Furthermore, Stark's weakened state may have made the administration of a second dose of Extremis impossible or extremely risky. While it might have seemed like a last-ditch effort to save Stark, the potential side effects would have been dire.

Conclusion

While the idea of Pepper Potts saving Tony Stark with Extremis is an intriguing concept, the combination of Stark's current weakened state and the inherent dangers of the treatment make it highly improbable. The end result, even if we assume the treatment is available and can work, is likely to be catastrophic, with Stark either failing to survive the process or succumbing to further complications.

These complexities illustrate the depth of the fictional technology and its limitations, making Avengers: Endgame a more nuanced exploration of the characters and their personal journeys.