Before and after photos of the cast of ‘Avengers: Endgame’: PHOTOS

Nearly 11 years ago to the day, Nick Fury emerged from the shadows of Tony Stark’s penthouse apartment to recruit the newly powerful Iron Man for S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Avenger Initiative. 

At the time, the pair’s short exchange was little more than a promising post-credits moment. 20 films later, and it’s the starting line for one of the world’s most successful franchises. 

Since the release of Iron Man in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced audiences to dozens of beloved characters and stories, innovating the art of filmmaking, progressing on-screen representation, and creating a dedicated, global fanbase in the process. 

Now, it’s coming to an end. With the release of Avengers: Endgame just days away, there couldn’t be a better time to honor the heroes who started it all. 

Here’s a look back at the first and last on-screen appearances of the Phase One Avengers, as seen in their first feature-length films and latest MCU moments — plus, the first words they ever said in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Iron Man / Tony Stark

Tony Stark: “I feel like you’re driving me to court martial. This is crazy. What did I do? I feel like you’re gonna pull over and snuff me. What, you’re not allowed to talk? Hey, Forrest!”

It’s not hard to remember what a jackass Tony Stark was in Iron Man (2008). For his first scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this cocky entrepreneur showed off the capabilities of a weapons-grade Stark Industries missile, while offhandedly insulting a small handful of active duty soldiers.

Now, after years of much-needed growth and lessons in team building, Tony Stark must lead the surviving heroes in avenging the fallen. Fingers crossed his better side wins out in the final hours.

Captain America / Steve Rogers

Steve Rogers: “Boy, a lot of guys getting killed over there.”
Soldier: “It kind of makes you think twice about enlisting, huh?”
Steve Rogers: “Nope.”

From his first appearance as Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) to his harrowing journeys through Winter Soldier (2014) and Civil War (2016), Steve Rogers has always remained a true-blue hero at heart. 

It’s fitting then that his first lines in the MCU were ones of pure bravery. Far from the super soldier he would become, the ambitious-yet-tiny Steve Rogers first came onto the scene as a proud patriot ready to take on the terrors of battle. Now, he’s got to take on Thanos.

Thor

Thor: “I swear.”

At the beginning of Thor (2011), everyone’s favorite hammer-wielding Asgardian began his role in the MCU by swearing an oath to his father Odin that he would protect and preserve the peace in The Nine Realms.

Since that coronation (and his subsequent fall from grace), Thor has come to serve a much larger population. He’s the heart of The Avengers, and for many the heart of the MCU. Saying goodbye won’t be easy, but it’s probably time. 

Black Widow / Natasha Romanoff

Natalie Rushman: “I need you to initial each box.”

Of course, super spy Black Widow first appeared on-screen pretending to be someone else. How could she not?

First arriving as a notary in Iron Man 2 (2010), Natasha Romanoff introduced herself as Natalie Rushman to Pepper Potts and Tony Stark. Six films later, however, and she’s well-known as the cunning and strategic backbone to The Avengers. 

Lucky for dedicated Widow fans, Endgame will not be Scarlett Johansson’s last appearance in the MCU. The long overdue Black Widow standalone movie is already in the works. 

Hawkeye / Clint Barton

Hawkeye: “You want me to slow him down, sir?”

Following the orders of Agent Phil Coulson, Hawkeye first entered the MCU via an uncredited cameo in Thor (2011), bow and arrow in hand. For viewers unfamiliar with the comics, he was just some guy. For the rest of us, it was the beginning of something great. 

While Hawkeye certainly isn’t the most powerful of The Avengers, there’s a case to be made that he is the most important. (Exhibit 1: The result of his absence in Infinity War.) In Endgame, Hawkeye will almost certainly serve a critical role, but the details of that role remain to be seen. 

The Hulk / Bruce Banner

Bruce Banner: (in Hindi) “Calm down, what’s wrong?”

It’s a funny opening line for the King of Getting Pissed and then Going AWOL. Bruce Banner’s initial MCU debut in The Avengers (2012) showed him serving as a physician. Of course, it didn’t take long for us to meet the big guy. 

While occasionally difficult to work with, The Hulk has served as The Avengers’ “the buck stops here” big guns since the very beginning, and Bruce Banner has regularly solved the intellectual puzzles standing between The Avengers and victory. Here’s hoping these two can finally get a handle on working together in Endgame.

Note: Technically speaking, The Hulk’s first MCU appearance came in The Incredible Hulk (2008) via Edward Norton, not Mark Ruffalo. But uh… let’s not go there.

Nick Fury

Nick Fury: “‘I am Iron Man.’ You think you’re the only superhero in the world? Mr. Stark, you’ve become part of a bigger universe. You just don’t know it yet.”
Tony Stark: “Who the hell are you?”
Nick Fury: “Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. I’m here to talk to you about the Avenger Initiative.” 

The loss of Nick Fury in Infinity War was a crushing blow to Marvel fans everywhere. That being said, Fury’s lifelong mission was to assemble The Avengers, even calling in one last reinforcement as he died. 

If anyone can save the rest of the universe — and bring those lost to The Snap back from the dead — it’s the team Fury painstakingly brought together.