So You Wanna Get Into Marvel… Part Two

All the best stories start from the beginning. In the case of Marvel, some of their best stories started the universe. We’re talking about Phase One, the six Marvel movies released from 2008 to 2012. We’ll break down in release order, but it’s important to note that chronological order is different. Don’t you worry, I’m here to shepherd you through the mess.

“Iron Man” was released in May of 2008 and would launch not only the corresponding franchise but the MCU itself. The first film follows Tony Stark, a billionaire inventor and industrialist conducting weapons tests overseas, where he is captured by terrorists in efforts to use his genius in building a weapon of mass destruction. He instead builds an armored suit that uses an arc reactor to keep him alive, escapes, and uses the suit to combat crime, terrorism, and later extraterrestrial evil. 

The titular character is played by Robert Downey Jr, and would later become his most known role. Downey Jr was a successful actor in the 80s and 90s, before substance abuse and possession led to him being arrested several times and incarcerated for 15 months of a three-year sentence. However, he fortunately became sober in 2003 and has been since. Downey’s troublesome past makes his journey even more impressive. Though it's important to note that his talent outshines these stories, alcoholism is a facet of Iron Man’s narrative arc, so art imitating life is an important piece of context to Downey’s portrayal. 

Some important characters introduced in this first movie include Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), and J.A.R.V.I.S (Paul Bettany). The character of James Rhodes, who becomes War Machine, was also introduced in this film, though his casting changes from Terrence Howard to Don Cheadle in later films. Pepper Potts is Stark’s secretary turned love-interest, and Happy Hogan is his bodyguard/driver and the closest thing to a best friend. Phil Coulson is an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., and J.A.R.V.I.S is a digital being that becomes part of the high-tech suit.

Just one month later in June 2008, Marvel released “The Incredible Hulk”. Despite a major casting change for later films, this movie’s plot still falls under MCU jurisdiction. Scientist Bruce Banner was turned into the Hulk by gamma radiation contaminating his cells, for which he seeks a cure. Forcibly separated from his love Betty Ross and hiding from her father, his nemesis General Thunderbolt Ross, Banner soon has to accept his Hulk-ness in order to battle The Abomination. 

Bruce Banner is portrayed by Edward Norton (“Fight Club”), but in subsequent movies is portrayed by Mark Ruffalo. Important characters include Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), The Abomination (Tim Roth), and General Ross (William Hurt, and later Harrison Ford). Outside of Banner’s narrative and character arc, the plot and characters of this film are not truly revisited until “Captain America: A Brave New World” (February 2025). It was considered a financial success at the time, though it is recognized as underperforming relative to more of the Marvel universe. If you struggled to get through watching this one, very few would blame you. 

May 2010 brought us “Iron Man 2”. At the end of the first film, Tony Stark reveals his alter ego to the world, bringing us to the pressures he’s facing in the second film to share his technology with the military. His arc reactor uses a palladium core, which is currently poisoning him, and he’s struggling to find an alternative. This film is unique because of its dual antagonists: Stark’s rival Justin Hammer, who is the primary weapons supplier for the military, and Ivan Vanko, whose father worked with Stark’s and believes himself to be slighted. Hammer is played by Sam Rockwell, and Vanko is portrayed by Mickey Rourke.

The most crucial aspects of this film are the introduction and development of Nick Fury, Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romanoff, and James Rhodes. Rhodes, who we met prior, is an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and military liaison for Justin Hammer. Stark essentially modifies the Iron Man suit to create War Machine, Rhodes’ superhero alter ego. Natasha Romanoff is an assassin-turned-SHIELD agent who was sent undercover as Natalie Rushman due to the fear he was dying. Romanoff becomes Black Widow, and we continue to learn about her backstory as time passes. Nick Fury, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, is the then-director of S.H.I.E.L.D, an espionage and counter-terrorism agency. He comes to Tony Stark after news of a Hulk rampage, with the intent to have Stark consult on a team known as the Avengers. We also begin to learn a bit about Howard Stark, Tony’s father. 

May 2011 gave us “Thor”. Yes, based on Norse mythology. Thor, a god of Asgard, is temporarily exiled by his father Odin for his arrogance and sent to Earth (known to them as Midgard) to live amongst humans. With the help (and love) of three scientists, he must save Earth from Loki, the god of mischief and his adoptive brother. In addition to important character introductions, “Thor” introduces the item called the Tesseract, which essentially is a blue magical ice cube the size of a tissue box. It is merely a containment vessel for one of the six Infinity Stones that come into play during Avengers: Infinity War and beyond. However, prior, it is believed to be magic in itself when it’s the stone that is magical. This film also introduces the Bifrost, a rainbow bridge connecting Asgard to other realms, guarded by the god Heimdall. The Bifrost operates like a wormhole transit system.  

Thor is portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, and his father Odin by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Erik Selvig, Darcy Lewis, and Jane Foster are our three important scientists, the latter of whom is Thor’s love interest. They are portrayed by Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, and Natalie Portman respectively. Loki is portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, and becomes an important antagonist and later protagonist. Their adoptive mother Frigga is played by Rene Russo, and Heimdall is Idris Elba. 

Next, in July 2011, came “Captain America: The First Avenger”. Despite being a movie solely about Captain America’s background and the beginning of his narrative, this film might be one of the best Marvel films ever. Argue with the wall. This film takes place way before Iron Man, in 1941. Steve Rogers is a sickly, small young man who’s determined to serve in the military with his best friend Bucky Barnes. After sneaking into boot camp, military scientist Dr. Erskine recruits him for the secret Project Rebirth. Rogers is then injected with Super Serum, becoming the muscular, healthy Captain America. Initially mistreated as a sort of mascot, Rogers begins to help fight against Nazi Germany’s secret research department called HYDRA, and a villain called the Red Skull. 

This film’s ending is crucial to the storyline, so if you don’t want spoilers, skip this paragraph. In his efforts to kill Red Skull (somewhat successful), Rogers ends up in a plane locked on autopilot, its military weapons capable of launching at any time. He decides the only way to protect New York City, where it’s directed, is to put an end to the threat via the quickest means available — by ditching it in the water. This results in Cap being trapped in ice for 70 years, safe as a result of his Super Serum. Fun fact: in the comics, it was only for 20 years. The film ends with Rogers in a recovery room with a Brooklyn Dodgers game on the radio, that he realizes is from before his last memory. He breaks out of the facility  in Times Square, New York, stopped by Nick Fury and other S.H.I.E.L.D agents who explain the circumstances.

Important cast members include Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Dominic Cooper as a young Howard Stark, Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips, Hugo Weaving as Red Skull, Stanley Tucci as Dr. Erskine, and Toby Jones as Arnim Zola. Zola’s character is a HYDRA scientist who continues to be important in later films, so keep him in mind. Peggy Carter will become important to us in the TV show world especially, and Bucky Barnes remains a fan-favorite character (though I could be projecting).  

The last piece of Phase One, released in May 2012, was “The Avengers”. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) puts together a team of superheroes in order to prevent Loki (Thor’s adoptive brother) from conquering Earth. Originally only to include Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk, the team was expanded to include Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) and Hawkeye (Clint Barton, played by Jeremy Renner). Working as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Barton was sent to kill Natasha Romanoff, but instead recruited her. His archery skills lended to his name. In 2012, Barton is working at a remote S.H.I.E.L.D. research facility with Fury when Loki arrives and uses his scepter to put Barton under mind control and steal the Tesseract. Each member of the team has to adapt from working solo, and this film serves as the first of many for the team. 

See you for Part Three.