10 MCU Phase 1 Scenes That Aged Poorly

Summary

• Tony Stark’s MySpace reference in Iron Man now feels outdated, highlighting the film’s age and setting it apart from more modern MCU movies.
• Some early Phase 1 scenes, like Thor’s battle against the Destroyer, lack the bombastic action seen in later films, feeling underwhelming in comparison.
• Black Widow’s sexualized interrogation scene in The Avengers contradicts her empowered depictions in later MCU movies, highlighting outdated gender tropes.

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As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to captivate audiences with its expansive storytelling and beloved characters, revisiting its Phase 1 movies reveals moments that have not stood the test of time. From its inception, the MCU’s Phase 1 set the foundation for what would become a cinematic juggernaut, introducing iconic heroes and establishing the interconnected MCU timeline. However, as societal norms and audience expectations evolve, certain scenes from these early films now seem out of place with the MCU’s future.

The MCU’s Phase 1 established the primary Avengers cast at a time when The Avengers was considered the pinnacle of the franchise’s potential. Years later, the MCU has evolved significantly, and as a result, some early projects feel out of place. Whether due to dated special effects, insensitive portrayals, or a tonal clash with later MCU movies, some scenes from the MCU’s Phase 1 are better off forgotten.

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10 Terrence Howard’s Unfulfilled “Next Time” Line

Iron Man (2008)

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The scene in Iron Man where Terrence Howard’s James “Rhodey” Rhodes eyes the War Machine armor prototype and says “next time” has aged poorly due to the subsequent casting change. Originally set to don the War Machine suit in Iron Man 2, Howard left the MCU due to a pay dispute. As a result, Don Cheadle was cast as War Machine and has become an essential member of the MCU’s cast.

Watching this Iron Man scene in retrospect, it feels like a lost opportunity. It teases a portrayal that had a lot of potential but went unfulfilled. With Cheadle’s vital role throughout the MCU, it is strange to see somebody else in the role. Furthermore, it is hard to watch this scene and not recall the disappointment Howard has expressed since. The line “next time” makes the scene a bittersweet reminder of the complexities behind the scenes in film production.

Iron Man
PG-13

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Iron Man is the first film in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark, who becomes Iron Man after he is kidnapped and discovers terrorists are using weapons developed by Stark Industries. Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Tony’s love interest Pepper Potts alongside Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Jeff Bridges as the villainous Obadiah Stane.

Director Jon Favreau Release Date May 2, 2008 Runtime 126 minutes

9 Captain America’s “Star Spangled Man With A Plan”

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

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While quite fun, the “Star Spangled Man With A Plan” montage sequence in Captain America: The First Avenger doesn’t fit the MCU’s eventual tone. The scene features colorful costumes, propaganda performances, and an upbeat song and dance number, aiming to capture the spirit of World War II-era patriotism. However, as the MCU evolved, Steve Rogers’ character became much more serious, and this early depiction feels out of place and corny.

The “Star Spangled Man With A Plan” scene occurs while Captain America is being used as a piece of propaganda to rally morale. Nevertheless, seeing Captain America partake in a musical number feels incongruous with the character’s subsequent tone. While the sequence serves its purpose in establishing Captain America’s origin and setting the stage for his heroics, it stands out when rewatching years later.

Captain America: The First Avenger
PG-13

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Captain America: The First Avenger is a 2011 superhero movie starring Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, a weak patriotic civilian who becomes the test subject for the military’s Super Soldier project. The film was the fifth film in the long-running MCU franchise and also starred Samuel L. Jackson, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan.

Director Joe Johnston Release Date July 22, 2011 Runtime 124 Minutes

8 Tony Stark’s Dated Reference To MySpace

Iron Man (2008)

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Tony Stark’s reference to the social media website MySpace is a particularly conspicuous aspect of the first Iron Man movie. While riding in a military jeep in the opening sequence, Tony Stark poses for a photograph, and remarks that it “better not end up on MySpace.” This reference to the bygone social media platform was fun at the time, but has since become incredibly outdated.

The MCU often has a futuristic tone despite the modern setting. Even when watching movies years after their release, they still retain that vague tone. The MySpace reference (along with the soldier’s flip-phone) places the movie firmly in the past, and almost creates a gulf between Iron Man and subsequent movies. Much of Iron Man holds up to modern scrutiny. However, these moments show the movie’s true age, which is hard not to notice.

7 Hulk And Abomination’s Rooftop Chase Looks Dated

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

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The relatively poor CGI in The Incredible Hulk is frequently criticized, but in its day it was quite impressive. Nevertheless, the rooftop chase between the Hulk and Abomination in The Incredible Hulk has not aged well at all. Both characters appear cartoonish and lack the realism and detail seen in more recent Marvel films. The sequence, set against the backdrop of Harlem, features the Hulk and Abomination engaging in a chaotic battle across rooftops and through city streets.

However, the CGI used to animate their movements and interactions comes across as exaggerated and less polished than what audiences have come to expect from modern superhero films. As the MCU progressed, advancements in technology allowed for more lifelike and immersive visual effects, enhancing the believability of fantastical characters and settings. The early portrayal of the Hulk and Abomination in The Incredible Hulk stands in stark contrast.

The Incredible Hulk
PG-13

The second film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is The Incredible Hulk, which was released in 2008. The film introduced a new backstory for the Hulk to differentiate it from the 2003 movie, Hulk. Actor Edward Norton played the role of the green hulk, and his alter ego Bruce Banner. He is joined by actress Liv Tyler who plays his love interest, Dr. Elizabeth “Betty” Ross. Betty’s father, General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt), is hoping to recreate a World War II supersoldier program and, in the process, exposes Bruce to gamma radiation that transforms him into the Hulk. He flees to find a cure for himself but is eventually tracked down by Thunderbolt, who forms an alliance with Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth). After The Incredible Hulk, Mark Ruffalo took over the character for subsequent movies in the MCU. 

Director Louis Leterrier Release Date June 13, 2008 Runtime 112 minutes

6 Black Widow’s Oversexualized Interrogation Scene

The Avengers (2012)

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The scene in The Avengers where Black Widow is interrogated by the Russian mob has garnered criticism for being overly sexualized and unnecessary. In the scene, Natasha is tied to a chair while being interrogated by Russian thugs before she quickly turns the tables. Looking back, the sequence focuses gratuitously on Natasha’s physical appearance and the suggestion of vulnerability through her restrained position.

The scene plays into stereotypes and tropes that prioritize the sexualization of female characters over their narrative and character development. There is absolutely no need for Black Widow to be dressed so seductively in this scene. It contrasts with the more nuanced and empowered depictions of Black Widow in subsequent MCU films, where her skills, intelligence, and agency are emphasized. As attitudes toward gender representation in the media evolve, scenes like this one in The Avengers serve as a reminder of the objectification female actors frequently face.

The Avengers
PG-13

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The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers is an action superhero film that sees the heroes assembled across the franchise face off with a deadly galactic threat. With the arrival of Thor’s brother, Loki, heroes such as Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are brought together to stop him from unleashing an alien race upon earth.

Director Joss Whedon Release Date May 4, 2012 Runtime 143 Minutes

5 Thor’s Underwhelming Final Battle With The Destroyer

Thor (2011)

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Thor’s fight against the Destroyer in the first Thor feels underwhelming on modern viewing, lacking the bombastic action that characterizes later MCU movies. The battle, set in a small New Mexico town, features Thor facing off against the formidable Destroyer armor sent by Loki. Despite the stakes and the potential for an epic spectacle, the fight unfolds in a relatively contained and straightforward manner.

Compared to later MCU films like Avengers: Endgame or Guardians of the Galaxy, which feature large-scale battles with intricate choreography and stunning visual effects, Thor’s encounter with the Destroyer feels tame. The action sequences lack the dynamic energy and creative flair that have become hallmarks of the MCU’s evolving cinematic style. While the film effectively introduces Thor’s strength and powers, the fight against the Destroyer is comparatively subdued and less impactful in hindsight.

Thor
PG-13

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Chris Hemsworth’s MCU debut as the Asgardian God of Thunder saw him navigating the ultimare sibling rivalry and parental expectations. Kenneth Branagh’s theatrical adaptation of the long-running Marvel Comics deals with Thor’s quest to prove himself worthy. Banished to Earth for his impulsiveness and tendency to violence, Thor must earn his destiny, while Tom Hiddleston’s Loki tries to destroy him.

Director Kenneth Branagh Release Date May 6, 2011 Runtime 115 minutes

4 Elon Musk’s Bizarre Iron Man Cameo

Iron Man 2

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Elon Musk’s cameo in Iron Man 2 was initially a fun nod, especially considering Robert Downey Jr. reportedly drew inspiration from Musk’s entrepreneurial charisma for his portrayal of Tony Stark. At the time, Musk was recognized primarily in tech and innovation circles, lending an authentic touch to Stark’s character. However, as Musk’s public persona evolved and his business ventures became more controversial and scrutinized, his cameo now feels shoehorned and out of place upon rewatching the film.

With Musk’s ventures ranging from SpaceX’s ambitious space exploration to Tesla’s innovations in electric vehicles, his public image has become polarizing. This colors his cameo in hindsight, and by extension, Tony Stark’s character. While Musk’s Iron Man 2 cameo initially added a layer of authenticity, Musk’s evolving public profile has complicated how his brief appearance is viewed today.

Iron Man 2
PG-13

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The third film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man 2, is an action-superhero film that occurs six months after the original film’s events. After outing himself as the heavy metal superhero known as Iron Man, Tony Stark goes to great lengths to avoid demands from the government for his tech. But, unfortunately, the technology Tony used to save his life is beginning to impact his health inversely – just in time for a man named Ivan Vanko to arrive, who creates his version of the Iron Man tech to settle a decades-long score with Howard Stark’s son.

Director Jon Favreau Release Date May 7, 2010 Runtime 124 minutes

3 Loki’s Vile Misogyny Towards Black Widow

The Avengers (2012)

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Loki’s derogatory remark towards Black Widow in The Avengers makes for very uncomfortable viewing. While locked in a cell, Loki calls Black Widow a “mewling quim,” an archaic and deeply offensive slur. This served the movie well upon its release, as it framed Loki as a truly despicable villain trapped in a bygone age. However, his subsequent portrayal as a complex and even sympathetic character in the Disney+ series Loki complicates this in retrospect.

Watching Loki evolve into an anti-hero and potentially garnering sympathy from viewers contrasts starkly with his earlier misogynistic language towards Black Widow. Rewatching the scene, it challenges the ability to empathize with him later on. It feels like an unfortunate misstep and reminds viewers precisely how repellent Loki used to be. While this could simply indicate his complex character arc, it would have been better if this line was never included.

2 Nick Fury Exploits Coulson’s Death

The Avengers (2012)

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When rewatching The Avengers, Nick Fury’s use of Agent Coulson’s death as a rallying cry feels unnecessary and gross. After being killed by Loki, Fury shows Coulson’s blood-stained Captain America trading cards to unite the team. However, the scene just feels gratuitous and manipulative. This moment, intended to galvanize the Avengers into action against Loki, comes across as forced and exploitative, overshadowing the organic development of their camaraderie and shared sense of duty.

Furthermore, the scene implies that the Avengers needed Coulson’s death in the MCU as a motivator, rather than their inherent desire to protect Earth from Loki’s threat. It suggests that external emotional manipulation was necessary to drive them to action, rather than their intrinsic commitment to defending humanity. In hindsight, the scene feels like an unnecessarily grisly diversion that doesn’t quite fit with the heroes’ subsequent portrayals.

1 Happy Watches Black Widow Undress

Iron Man 2

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While Scarlett Johansson’s performance in Iron Man 2 was superb, it was plagued by oversexualization and objectification. The scene where Happy Hogan watches Black Widow change in a car is particularly egregious. This depiction not only paints Hogan in a negative light but also perpetuates a narrative where female characters are viewed primarily through a male gaze.

This was a prominent theme in Iron Man 2, where both Tony and Happy lusted over Black Widow while she was undercover as Tony Stark’s assistant. This reduces Black Widow to a mere object of desire, overshadowing her skills, intelligence, and contributions to the story. In light of the #MeToo movement and increased awareness of gender equality issues in the media, Black Widow’s representation in Iron Man 2 feels exploitative. Scenes from the MCU’s Phase 1 like this are the ones that have aged the worst.

Upcoming Marvel Movies	Release Date
Deadpool & Wolverine	July 26, 2024
Captain America: Brave New World	February 14, 2025
Thunderbolts*	May 2, 2025
The Fantastic Four	July 25, 2025
Blade	November 7, 2025
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty	May 1, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars	May 7, 2027

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Category: Entertainment