Phase 2
Iron Man 3
The Story
Tony is channeling his PTSD from the Battle of New York into creating an army of Iron Man suits, while Aldrich Killian is developing the Extremis project at AIM to regenerate human tissue and create living weapons.
Final fight—Iron Man versus Extremis soldiers and The Mandarin
MCU Introductions
None.
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as the beauty pageant judge
Post credit scenes
Tony’s voice over during the film was actually him revealing his psychology to Dr. Banner—who’s not that kind of doctor.
What you might have missed
President Ellis was a nod to comic book writer, Warren Ellis, who wrote the Extremis story in the comics.
Endgame status
Iron Man War Machine Pepper Potts
Thor: The Dark World
The Story
Thor fights to undo all of Loki’s chaos from the previous films, while Malekith, the leader of the Dark Elves, plots to destroy him and all he loves.
Final fight—Thor versus Malekith
MCU Introductions
None.
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—The Aether/Reality Stone
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a patient in the mental ward
Post credit scenes
Mid-credit scene shows Volstagg and Sif bringing the Aether to the Collector.
What you might have missed
The creature Thor smashed in the first battle was a Kronan. An early precursor for Korg!!
Endgame status
Thor Erik Selvig Heimdall Loki
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The Story
Captain America is trying to find his place in the new world, so he joins SHIELD as an agent. Turns our SHIELD has been infiltrated by HYDRA, and he has to go rogue to dismantle them.
Final fight—Captain America, Black Widow, and Falcon versus the Winter Soldier and SHIELD/HYDRA
MCU Introductions
Sam Wilson/Falcon.
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a museum security guard
Post credit scenes
We see a lab where two scientists are observing twins…Pietro and Wanda Maximoff.
What you might have missed
The Algerian pirate Batroc—Batroc the Leaper in the comics—is played by UFC champion Georges St. Pierre.
Endgame status
Captain America Black Widow Bucky Barnes Falcon
Maria Hill Nick Fury
Guardians of the Galaxy
The Story
After unknowingly finding an Infinity Stone, Peter Quill finds himself breaking out of prison and joining up with four more misfits to help save the galaxy.
Final fight—The Guardians versus Ronan the Accuser
MCU Introductions
Peter Quill/Starlord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Yondu, Nebula
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—Orb/Power Stone
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a creeper on Xandar
Post credit scenes
The first appearance of Howard the Duck in the MCU. No ties to future movies.
What you might have missed
In the Collector’s museum it’s easy to spot Cosmo and Howard the Duck, but you can also spot a Dark Elf and a Chitauri.
Endgame status
Rocket Raccoon Nebula Peter Quill Gamora Groot Drax
Avengers: Age of Ultron
The Story
Tony and Bruce’s experimentation on Loki’s scepter lead to the merging of the Mind Stone with Tony’s defense program, creating Ultron; a superintelligent AI that wants to eradicate humanity to save it from itself.
Final fight—The Avengers versus Ultron and his army of robots
MCU Introductions
Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Vision
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—Loki’s scepter/Mind Stone
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a war veteran at Tony’s party
Post credit scenes
Thanos grabs the infinity gauntlet and adds “Fine, I’ll do it myself.”
What you might have missed
All Phase 2 movies have a reference to Empire Strikes back, in that someone loses a hand or arm. In this one, Klaue gets his comic-accurate look by losing an arm.
Endgame status
Iron Man Captain America Thor Hulk Hawkeye
Black Widow War Machine Scarlet Witch Falcon Nick Fury
Maria Hill Vision Thanos
Ant-Man
The Story
In an attempt to protect his scientific method of shrinking from falling into the wrong hands, Hank Pym enlists the help of a former thief to help him disrupt their plans.
Final fight—Ant-Man versus Yellowjacket
MCU Introductions
Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Janet VanDyne
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a bartender…crazy, stupid fine
Post credit scenes
First we see Hope VanDyne being called to service as The Wasp. Secondly, Cap and Falcon have captured Bucky and are looking for help. Falcon says he knows a guy…
What you might have missed
Maybe my favorite easter egg, mainly because I don’t think 70% of the people got it. When Scott lands on the car after his first attempt at shrinking, the man inside the car is Garrett Morris. He played Ant-Man in an SNL skit in 1979.