MCU: 11 Years in the Making

By Bailey A

Avengers: Endgame, the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hit theatres this month. Since the MCU began eleven years ago in 2008, twenty-two movies have built up to this very moment.

Iron Man (2008)

The movie that started it all. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man set the very groundwork for the MCU known and loved by fans today. RDJ portrayed Tony Stark with accuracy beyond compare. This innovative take on superhero movies undoubtedly led us to their immense popularity in this generation.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Although the role of Bruce Banner (the Hulk) was later recast, replacing Edward Norton with Mark Ruffalo, this movie played a huge part in the expansion of the MCU. This movie not only introduced the “supernatural” aspect, but it’s end credit scene featuring Iron Man revealed that these movies take place in the same universe.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

This movie provides an even more in-depth view of how perfect Robert Downey Jr. is for the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man. What this movie lacks in the “new” factor due to being a sequel, it makes of for with many fascinating action scenes. This movie also introduces Natasha Romanov, AKA Black Widow, who will become an important character down the line.

Thor (2011)

Prior to this film, the MCU takes place solely on Earth. This movie introduced the idea that not only is there life beyond Earth, but there are in fact god-like figures such as Thor himself. Chris Hemsworth is the perfect person to play Thor, but his personality is somewhat lacking in this film, but sets up for the amazing character development he will have in the future.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

This film not only introduces us to a fan-favorite character from the comics, but it introduces the first infinity stone, the Space stone, in the MCU. This is extremely important, as the stones are the main premise of the final two Avengers movies. Chris Evans does an amazing job of portraying the patriotic and lovable Steve Rogers, both before and after the super-soldier serum.

The Avengers (2012)

When this movie came out, fans went crazy to see just six of their favorite heroes join forces to combat aliens in New York. If only they knew what Marvel had in store for them down the line. This movie brings together the heroes they introduced in the prior five films, and builds relationships and tensions between the characters that will be apparent and important in films to come down the line. Two of six infinity stones, the Space and Mind stone, are also shown in this film. The end-credit scene is majorly important as it gives us our first look at Thanos, the “big-bad” villain of the whole infinity saga, and shows us that he is the one who launched the attack on New York.

Iron Man 3 (2013)

After the events in Avengers, this movie puts a focus on the mental health of Tony Stark. He suffers from PTSD from the attack, and it takes a serious toll on him. This shows that not only can superheroes be vulnerable, but that Tony Stark has an extremely personal stake in taking down the person who was responsible for the attack on New York.

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Although this movie is largely considered on of the worst of the bunch, it does offer some character development for Thor and his brother Loki. This movie, although it may come off as unimportant, is actually the movie that introduces the Reality stone into the MCU, which of course will come into play later into the MCU.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

This film offers amazing character development for Steve Rogers, and a more in-depth view of just how strong Captain America really is. In this movie, it is revealed that S.H.I.E.L.D., the agency who is supposed to be an ally to the Avengers, is really a terrorist group known as Hydra. This film provides a closer look into the friendship of Black Widow and Captain America, as well as introducing us to Sam Wilson, AKA the Falcon. It is also revealed that Bucky Barnes, Steve’s best friend, is alive, but he is now a brainwashed assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

This movie, which is full of humor, introduces a team of misfits to the MCU. The Guardians of the Galaxy are made up of Starlord, Gamora, Drax, Groot, and Rocket. This film technically includes Thanos’ first appearance in an MCU movie, other than the Avengers end-credit scene. It also reveals that Gamora is the daughter of Thanos, adopted anyways, and that she hates him for slaughtering her home planet. This means that she has a more than personal stake when it comes to defeating him as well. The Power stone also makes its first appearance in this film.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Although this film is not accompanied by the same amount of hype that followed the first Avengers, it is far from disappointing. The main villain of the film is the result of Tony Stark’s paranoia after the attack of New York. He is afraid of an attack again from above, as he rightly should be. This film is action packed and gives a closer look at the Avengers, their personalities, relationships, and their biggest fears. This film also introduces two new and important heroes, Vision and Scarlet Witch.

Ant-Man (2015)

This film, starring Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, is a fun and innovative addition to the MCU. While this is an origin film, and seems relatively unimportant to the events leading up to Endgame, it introduces a pivotal character in the fight to defeat Thanos.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Although this film technically finishes off the Captain America trilogy, it’s more of an “Avengers: 2.5”. It includes epic action shots of Team Cap facing off against Team Iron Man. This feud is the culmination of the tension between Iron Man and Cap since back to the first Avengers film. This film introduces two new important characters into the MCU: Black Panther and Spiderman.

Doctor Strange (2016)

Along with its great special effects and powerful visuals, this film introduces us to a character who will not only become a major component in the fight against Thanos, but a figure to lead the MCU into the phase coming after the “Infinity Saga”. The MCU had already dove into exploring outer-space, but this movie explores both different realities and intergalactic affairs. This movie also introduces yet another infinity stone, the Time stone.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

This movie builds further on the familial bond between the Guardians and introduces a new member, Mantis, into their team. While this movie is both fun and refreshing, it also dives deeper into the relationship of Gamora and her sister Nebula, and their dysfunctional relationship with their adoptive father Thanos. This is of great importance because the two sisters will be very involved in the fight against Thanos in the final two Avengers films.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

This movie includes a lot more humor and has a much more youthful vibe than other films of the MCU. This film shows a new side of Spiderman because unlike other Spiderman sagas in the past, this film is not an origin story. Instead, it focuses on Spiderman's adventures after the events of Civil War and his experience using his new suit from Tony Stark.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

This film is brilliant in its ability to skyrocket Thor’s character development and transform him into a much more relatable, humorous, and likeable character than he had been portrayed as before. This film is fun and innovative, and shows the true extent of Thor’s powers which will help him in the future battle against Thanos. The end-credit scene of this film also leads directly into the opening scene of Infinity War.

Black Panther (2018)

This film provides a deeper look into T’Challa, AKA the Black Panther, and his country of Wakanda. Black Panther was not only the highest grossing solo superhero movie of all time, but went on to be nominated for and win several Oscar and Golden Globe Awards. This movie shows how technologically evolved Wakanda is, which will come in handy for the battle against Thanos in Infinity War.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

This movie marks the beginning of the end. This is the film in which the villain is finally the “big-bad” who Marvel had been teasing for years, Thanos. The movie wastes no time, with the first scene including a massacre of the Asgardians aboard Thor’s ship. The film brings together almost every superhero ever introduced into the MCU, Guardians and Avengers alike. This movie includes a bundle of interactions between MCU favorites, and is as action-packed as possible. This movie differs from almost all other superhero movies in one major way: the heroes don’t win in the end. Thanos achieves his goal of wiping out half of the universe. This shocking ending has drastically increased the hype for the lastest installation, Endgame.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

This film definitely lightens the mood after the devastating ending of Infinity War. What’s interesting, though, is that this film takes place before Infinity War. This means that through the duration of the movie, the character are completely clueless of the events to come, but the audience isn’t. This film is extremely important due to its focus on the Quantum Realm, which becomes extremely important in the final battle against Thanos. The end-credit scene of this movie shows three main characters becomes dust, referring to Thanos’ snap.

Captain Marvel (2019)

This film has grossed over one billion dollars since its release, which is an incredible accomplishment considering this is an origin movie featuring a hero who had yet to be featured in any other films. This also marks the first solo movie for a female superhero in the MCU. Captain Marvel’s introduction into the MCU is crucial because she is considered to be the most powerful superhero, and the Avengers will be in need of a new team leader eventually.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

No spoilers, but the film holds true to its slogan: “Part of the journey is the end.” This movie is what the entirety of the MCU has been building up to for the past 11 years. It is everything a Marvel fan could ever ask for and is truly a groundbreaking film that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most iconic movies of all time.