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The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a vast and interconnected multimedia franchise created by Marvel Studios. It primarily consists of superhero films based on characters from Marvel Comics. It is the first cinematic franchise to break $30 billion USD in the box office (the most recent blockbuster being Wolverine and Deadpool). Star Wars, also owned by Disney, is in a distant second place that has a cumulative box office receipt of a little north of $10 billion USD. Here’s a brief overview of the MCU:
Phases One – Three is known as the Infinity Saga.
Phase One: Started with Iron Man (2008) and culminated in The Avengers (2012).
Phase Two: Started with Iron Man 3 (2013) and concluded with Ant-Man (2015).
Phase Three: Started with Captain America: Civil War (2016) and ended with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019).
Phases Four – Six is known as the Multiverse Saga
Phase Four: Began with Black Widow (2021) and concluded with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)/I am Groot (2022).
Phase Five: Started with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and will end with Thunderbolts* (2025).
Phase Six: Will being with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) and conclude with Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
Because of such an extensive list of movies and tv show tie-ins there are many, many heroes and villains. However, I believe that the “biggest” characters would be the Big Three of the Avengers: Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor plus your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man. So far though my favorite film is Avengers: End Game. None of the Phase 4 or 5 movies is comparable. Sadly, Kang the Conquerer is not up to the level of Thanos. Perhaps Doctor Doom will be and rumor is that the next big bad after him will be Galactuc, the Devourer of Worlds!
Iron Man (Tony Stark)
Portrayed by: Robert Downey Jr.
First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)
Key Traits: Genius inventor, billionaire, and philanthropist. Known for his advanced suits of armor and witty personality.
Notable Films: Iron Man trilogy, The Avengers series, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame.
Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Portrayed by: Chris Evans
First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Key Traits: Super-soldier with enhanced strength, agility, and endurance. Known for his unwavering moral compass and leadership skills.
Notable Films: Captain America trilogy, The Avengers series, and Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame.
Thor
Portrayed by: Chris Hemsworth
First Appearance: Thor (2011)
Key Traits: Norse god of thunder, wielding the enchanted hammer Mjolnir. Known for his strength, bravery, and evolving sense of humor.
Notable Films: Thor trilogy, The Avengers series, and Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame.
Spider-Man
Portrayed by: Tom Holland
First Appearance: Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Key Traits: Superhuman Strength and Agility: Enhanced physical capabilities. Spider-Sense: A precognitive ability to sense danger. Web-Shooters: Devices he created to shoot webs for swinging and combat. A great sense of humor.
Notable Films: Spider-Man Trilogy, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame.
Greatest Moments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Captain America Wielding Mjolnir
In Avengers: Endgame, during the final battle against Thanos, Captain America proves himself worthy by lifting Thor’s enchanted hammer, Mjolnir. This moment was a huge payoff for fans, showcasing Cap’s true heroism and purity of heart.
Thor Arriving in Wakanda
In Avengers: Infinity War, Thor’s dramatic entrance in Wakanda with his new weapon, Stormbreaker, is electrifying. Accompanied by Rocket and Groot, he turns the tide of the battle against Thanos’s forces, with the epic line, “Bring me Thanos!”
Iron Man’s Sacrifice
In Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark’s ultimate act of heroism comes when he uses the Infinity Gauntlet to snap away Thanos and his army and bring back all those who were lost. His final words, “I am Iron Man,” echo his declaration from the first Iron Man film, bringing his character arc full circle and delivering a powerful, emotional conclusion.
Spider-Man’s Struggle
The collaboration between Tom Holland's Spider-Man and the Spider-Man variants played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield marked a significant moment in No Way Home and Spider-Man’s narrative. Following the devastating loss of Aunt May, Peter Parker grappled with his grief and sense of isolation. The Spider-Man variants provided him with much-needed support and guidance. Maguire's Spider-Man emerged as a mentor figure, which Holland's Spider-Man had been seeking since Iron Man’s death. This interaction serves as a metaphor for the MCU’s Spider-Man learning to trust in his own abilities and inner strength. The shared experiences and encouragement from his counterparts equipped him with the resilience to carry on as your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man. This collaboration, steeped in mutual respect and understanding, prepares him to continue his heroic journey with renewed confidence, despite the personal losses he has endured.
Official Timeline from Disney+
Captain America: The First Avenger
Agent Carter
Captain Marvel
Iron Man
Iron Man 2
The Incredible Hulk
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer
Thor
The Consultant
The Avengers
Item 47
Thor: The Dark World
Iron Man 3
All Hail the King
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
I Am Groot season 1
I Am Groot season 2
Daredevil season 1
Jessica Jones season 1
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ant-Man
Daredevil season 2
Luke Cage season 1
Iron Fist season 1
The Defenders
Captain America: Civil War
Black Widow
Black Panther
Spider-Man: Homecoming
The Punisher season 1
Doctor Strange
Jessica Jones season 2
Luke Cage season 2
Iron Fist season 2
Daredevil season 3
Thor: Ragnarok
The Punisher season 2
Jessica Jones season 3
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Endgame
Loki season 1
What If...? season 1
WandaVision
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Eternals
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Hawkeye
Moon Knight
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Echo
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Ms. Marvel
Thor: Love and Thunder
Werewolf by Night
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Secret Invasion
The Marvels
Loki season 2
What If...? season 2