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Summary
The first entries into theMarvel Cinematic Universe , identified as Phase 1 of the franchise , featured several import that have defined the MCU in the twelvemonth since . Beginning in 2008 withIron Man , the MCU ’s Phase 1 mark off the beginning of the most successful franchise in cinematic chronicle . In the years since , themovies of the MCUhave proven both remarkably pop and fantastically financially successful , breaking multiple box berth record on several occasions . Much of this succeeder is really owe to the very first entryway into the MCU , as they fructify a framework for the franchise that subsequent moving picture extend to play along .
As the motion-picture show of Phase 1 punctuate the start of the dealership , they sport a riches of moments that have shape the MCU ’s entire future . Many specific moments in the franchise ’s early motion picture can be cited as polar in theMCU ’s movie timeline , plant tropes or approximation that have become standard in subsequent releases . as , there were also moments that served as lessons to be learned , with less well - receive elements of Phase 1 ’s movies being avoid in the franchise in the old age that followed . With that in head , here are 10 MCU Phase 1 moment that defined the dealership ’s next 15 year .
It was n’t all suave sailing for the MCU in its first stage . Here are all Phase 1 films ranked , according to Rotten Tomatoes
10Tony Stark Being Taken Hostage
Iron Man (2008)
As one of the very first movie moments in the entire MCU , it ’s fitting that Tony Stark being kidnapped really shaped the dealership as a whole . Stark ’s stint in captivity precipitated his entire hero discharge , sparking his transmutation into Iron Man and his purpose as the leader of the Avengers . The impact that being captivate by the Ten Rings had on Stark shaped him into the bomber he later became – a character reference who then operate on to shape the franchise itself . It may be one of the MCU ’s earliest , but it ’s also one of its most pivotal moments .
9The Avengers Assemble
The Avengers (2012)
Across the many pic andTV shows of the MCU , few moments are as iconic as that in which the Avengers first appear as a bona fide squad of heroes . 2012’sThe Avengersbrought the zep of Phase 1 together , and the flick ’s climactic battle saw them in the end join forces in dear to combat Loki and the Chitauri army in the Battle of New York . The Avengers arrive together set the model for countless subsequent team - ups , blending a high - wager write up with comedy , drama , and epic activity .
8Hulk Smashes Loki
As the Battle of New York reaches its conclusion , Loki finds himself face - to - face with the Hulk . It ultimately sees the villain come nerve to face with an Avenger at full great power , and it end with the Hulk grabbing the Asgardian and unceremoniously boom him repeatedly into the solid ground . The use of drollery at such an unexpected moment would get to define the MCU , appearing in most films from that tip on . The manipulation of levity to countervail the inherent ego - seriousness of the musical genre is a trick that will undoubtedly go on to be employed inupcoming Marvel moving picture , and it started back in Phase 1 .
7Captain America’s Heroic Sacrifice
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The MCU ’s Phase 1 date multiple moments of epic sacrifice , with both Captain America and Thor make difficult personal sacrifices in service of the greater good . Captain America ’s moment in finicky proved massively influential for the MCU ’s time to come : after making the impossible choice to give himself , he waken in the future to be present with the shock of his conclusion . The heroic selection , the complex emotional side effect , and the eventual happy endingis something that has become a part of multiple narrative arcs in the MCU , but it all started with Phase 1 ’s own origin stories .
6Black Widow’s Introduction
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Iron Man 2may not be the most democratic entry in Phase 1 , but it featured a moment that started a specific MCU trend . The introduction of Black Widow in a endorse role only to later have her act as a major character in the franchise is something that has been revisited in multiple MCU projects since . Black Widow was an excellent addition to the film , and her popularity confirmed her viability as one of the franchise ’s fundamental players . In the year since , many movies and TV shows have employed similar manoeuvre in introducing novel fibre to the MCU , followingIron humans 2 ’s example .
Related:10 MCU Scenes That Would ’ve Seemed Impossible In Phase 1
5Bruce Banner’s “I’m Always Angry” Line
The Battle of New York was a enormously polar present moment for the MCU as a whole , but one special moment stand up out as peculiarly influential in a conceptual sense . Bruce Banner ’s reveal of the secret to manipulate the Hulk comes in a single line of dialog when he announces,“That ’s my secret , Cap … I ’m always angry . ” It ’s a spectacular and unforgettably quotable line give birth at a crucial mo , sic a case in point that many MCU moving-picture show have followed . Infinity WarandEndgameboth have similar moments , with characters cede devastating or of import lines before turning the tide of engagement .
4Thor’s Infinity Gauntlet Easter Egg
Thor (2011)
The MCU has become well - known for hiding Easter testicle and fluff next storey developments , but back in Phase 1 , the idea was still in its infancy . 2011’sThorsaw the very brief inclusion of an Infinity Gauntlet cache in Odin ’s vault , subtly confirm the cosmos of Infinity Stones within the franchise . The Easter bollock on the face of it set up the Infinity Saga arc , and despite being a fantastically underage moment , it was the first instance of the MCU ’s use of tiny references that tease much bigger future news report .
3Bruce Banner & Betty Ross’ Romantic Subplot
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Incredible Hulkisn’t the most popular movie in the MCU , and one particular consequence actually came to specify the franchise for all the wrong reasonableness . The film ’s dramatic geographic expedition ofa amatory subplot between Bruce Banner and Betty Ross largely perturb from the action and exhilaration of its floor , and the poor response to the cinema see this idea shift in succeeding MCU movies . While the MCU has n’t shy away from including wild-eyed interests , it has avoided to a fault spectacular exploration of the idea , rather using them as comedic opportunities – perhaps thanks toThe Incredible Hulk ’s unpopular romantic picture .
2Nick Fury’s Post-Credits Appearance
One of the figure of speech that ’s now synonymous with superhero picture palace in reality got its honest scratch line in the MCU ’s first - ever film . Iron Manintroduced Nick Fury in a post - credits scene that also confirm the existence of other heroes , teasing the shared universe and hint at anAvengerscrossover . The consumption of a post - credits scene to tease an enlargement of a shared movie universehas become a part of the very fabric of the MCU , and it all began with the unforgettable mo at the ending ofIron Manway back in Phase 1 .
1“I Am Iron Man”
Perhaps the most iconic moment in all of Phase 1 , the ending ofIron Mansaw Tony Stark herald his superhero alter - egotism to the existence . The improvised moment marked a significant deviation from mirthful Word of God canon , and Stark ’s significant role in the franchise think of it also fare to define the MCU ’s account in a major way of life . Asit commune the MCU ’s willingness to distance itself from factor of the strip , the scene shaped the franchise in a major way . In that , and in a blanket story sense , Tony Stark’s“I am Iron Man ” moment came to define the entireMarvel Cinematic Universe .