With around 20 films made and billions of dollars earned at the box office, Marvel Cinematic Universe is the biggest franchise of Hollywood. It has been successful mainly because of the script-writing code, delivering the best dialogues and memorable moments with a machine-like persona. But with all the credits to the MCU screenwriters, a few of the series’ most standout bits of dialogue never made it to the screenplay. Let’s check the complete list.
1. Drax’s ‘Why Is Gamora’ Line – Avengers: Infinity War
In a standoff between Iron Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Lord asks to know where Gamora is unaware that Tony Stark has no idea who he is talking about. Screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely said that the exchange between Chris Pratt and Robert Downey Jr. was there in the script. But Drax’s existential follow-up was an ad-lib by Dace Bautista.
2. Dialogues between Tony Stark and Obadiah Stane – Iron Man
Jeff Bridges was seen as Obadiah Stane in the first Iron Man. Obadiah Stane was Tony Stark’s partner and the secretly evil father figure. Jeff Bridges says that director Jon Favreau encouraged the lead actors to improvise their dialogue. This was because there was no script to start with.
3. Peggy Carter grabbed Steve Rogers – Captain America: The First Avenger
Hayley Atwell was seen as Steve Roger’s love interest Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger. She said that after the transformation scene of Steve Rogers, the moment she reaches out to touch him and awkwardly pulls back her hand is based on her actual reaction to seeing the hunky Chris Evans.
4. ‘Get Help’ was thought on the day it was filmed – ‘Thor: Ragnarok’
While trying to escape Sakaar, foster brothers Thor and Loki discuss how they would get past the guards. Thor gleefully hints at a maneuver called “get help”, which is refused by Loki. Then we see Thor carrying Loki and screaming “Get help!” before throwing Loki at the nearest guard. Tom Hiddleston revealed at the 2018 ACE Comic Con that the sequence was conceived on the day it was filmed. He added that the scene is not just fun, but is also a touching glimpse of the characters.
5. Thor hanging Mjolnir on the coat rack – Thor: The Dark World
Thor: The Dark World received mixed reviews from critics but there is a moment that surely brings a smile to viewers’ faces. When Thor enters the apartment shared by Jane Foster’s scientific colleagues, he hangs the Mjolnir on the apartment coat rack. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige said that this was an improvised moment from Chris Hemsworth. His charisma and willingness to make fun of himself made Thor: Ragnarok much better than its predecessor.
6. Stephen Strange’s ‘Beyoncé’ line – Doctor Strange
In Doctor Strange, when Dr. Stephen Strange met Wong, he compared him to other artists that go by a single moniker like Adele and Eminem. Wong did not find this amusing. Later when Strange gains confidence in his abilities as a magician, he requests a book that Wong says he is not ready for. Strange replies by saying, “Try me, Beyoncé”. Benedict Wong revealed that Benedict Cumberbatch delivered this line off the cuff.
7. Tony calls Steve a liar – Avengers: Endgame
MCU films and franchises have seen various relationships and conflicts in every movie. In Avengers: Endgame, we saw Tony Stark and Steve Rogers coming face to face after a long time since their conflict in Captain America: Civil War. Tony furiously confronts Steve because of their failure to work as a team. Avengers: Endgame Director Anthony Russo said that Tony Stark calling Steve a liar was an extra line thrown by Robert Downey Jr.
8. Killmonger’s ‘Hey, Auntie’ line – Black Panther
Erik “Killmonger” Stevens reveals in Black Panther that he is N’Jadaka, the son of Prince N’Jobu. King T’Challa’s council was in shock. Erik is called a liar but his father’s ring proves that he is speaking the truth. Erik then turns to Queen Mother Ramonda and says “Hey, Auntie”. Angela Bassett revealed in a BuzzFeed segment that the ‘auntie’ might have been unscripted.
9. Tony Stark admits that he is Iron Man – Iron Man
According to Iron Man comics, Tony Stark spent many years pretending that the Iron Man was actually his personal bodyguard. This story was cooked up by S.H.I.E.L.D. for Tony towards the end of Iron Man. But Tony couldn’t help himself from taking the credit. This move feels completely true to the character. “I am Iron Man” became an important moment for the MCU. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige said that the line was ad-libbed by Robert Downey Jr. Feige liked it so much that he rolled with it.
10. Peter Parker turning to dust – Avengers: Infinity War
Peter Parker turned to ash before Tony Stark’s eyes in Avengers: Infinity War. The words said by Parker to Stark while disappearing were 100% Tom Holland. Infinity War co-director Joe Russo said during a Q&A at Iowa City High School that the direction given to Tom Holland was something to the effect of acting like he doesn’t want to go. This led to Peter’s line, “I don’t feel so good, Mr. Stark. I don’t want to go.” The improvisation was also confirmed by screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.