Top 10 Best Avengers Endgame Callbacks
Teen Harley
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“Iron Man 3” (2013) The funeral of Tony Stark offers several callbacks to previous films, (xref) including Tony’s first arc reactor placed on his wreath. One of the more puzzling for some was the appearance of a teenage boy, whom many viewers had trouble placing. This is actually Harley Keener, the young boy who helped Tony out during the events of “Iron Man 3” in locating the Mandarin. Tony’s bond with Harley was the first glimpse we got into Tony’s unconventional, if sweet, interactions with kids; something that’s further explored with his daughter in “Endgame.” Seeing Harley again also helps hit home how many lives Tony touched before his death.
Quill’s Walkman Dance
“Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) The first “Guardians of the Galaxy” film distinguished itself from comic book movies that came before it with its prominent featuring of classic pop music. This feature is first put on display with an early scene in which an adult Peter Quill is shown on an alien world listening to and singing along with Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” on a Walkman music player. This iconic scene is revisited in “Avengers: Endgame” thanks to time travel. Except, in this case, we see Quill from the outside, as War Machine and Nebula observe him singing to himself, in a great comedic moment. “So, he’s an idiot?” “Yeah.”
Cheeseburgers
“Iron Man” (2008) One of the earliest callbacks on our list happens near the film’s end. Following Tony Stark’s funeral, Tony’s right-hand man, Happy Hogan, sits with Tony’s daughter, Morgan, and asks if she needs anything. When she tells him she wants cheeseburgers, Happy recalls that her father liked cheeseburgers too and that he’ll get her as many as she wants. This hearkens back to the first “Iron Man” movie, where the first thing Tony asked for after escaping his imprisonment was an American cheeseburger, which Happy delivered on. It’s a sweet character moment and a great callback.
Steve & Peggy’s Dance
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“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011) Steve Rogers may begin his life as a skinny kid from Brooklyn, but even before he got his super serum fueled powers, he caught the eye of Peggy Carter. The two of them form a mutual attraction over the course of Captain America’s World War II campaign, with their banter often returning to the subject of dancing; something they apparently missed out on, since Cap ended up being frozen for 70 years, and Peggy dies after he returns. However, the ending of “Avengers: Endgame” reveals that Cap used time travel to return to the past to live out his life with Peggy; getting that dance, and much more, after all.
“I Went for the Head”
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“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) Thor experiences many losses during his time in the MCU; losing both his parents, his home, half of his people, and even his evil brother. It’s these last two that make him hate Thanos with a passion and push him to go to extraordinary lengths to find a way to kill the Titan during “Avengers: Infinity War.” However, when the moment finally comes, Thor fails to kill Thanos with his new axe, with the conqueror telling him that he should have “gone for the head.” This allows Thanos to make the Snap and kill half of all life in the universe. When the Avengers regroup and go after Thanos to, fittingly, avenge the dead, Thor unceremoniously decapitates Thanos; taking the villain’s advice.
“On Your Left”
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“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014) Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers become friends through relatively normal circumstances, at least as far as the MCU goes. Both enjoy running in Washington, D.C., and Steve manages to lap Sam several times, telling him “on your left,” as he passes, to Sam’s annoyance. Sam throws the line back at him while visiting Steve in the hospital too, after their battle against Hydra. Although Sam dies in Thanos’ Snap, he makes a triumphant return in “Avengers: Endgame,” along with many others (but more on that later) and announces himself to Steve with “on your left.”
Cap in the Elevator with Hydra
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“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014) One of the most memorable scenes from Captain America’s second solo movie sees him battle around a dozen Hydra agents in an elevator in a tense and exciting fight scene. “Endgame” calls back… or maybe forward… to the scene when Cap goes back in time to 2012 and enters an elevator with several of the same Hydra agents who are still undercover as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Steve pretends to be from Hydra to get them to handover the Infinity Stone he needs, which is also a reference to a comics storyline where Cap is a brainwashed Hydra agent. While the fight itself isn’t recreated, Steve does get to face off against himself, which offers another great callback to his mantra of persistence: (xref) “I can do this all day.” “Yeah, I know!”
“Avengers Assemble!”
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“Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015) The second “Avengers” film concludes with a new group of Avengers congregating to begin training together. Just before the credits roll, Captain America almost says this line, which is a famous catchphrase from the Marvel comics. Although fans balked at it being cut off at the time, the wait was definitely worth it, since Cap finally gets the chance to deliver it in “Endgame.” The line occurs right when he’s joined in the battle against Thanos and his forces by his fellow Avengers and other allies in one of the most impressively spectacular battles we’ve ever seen onscreen! We still get chills no matter how many times we watch it!
“I Knew It!”
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“Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015) Despite being an iconic part of Thor’s power set, his hammer, Mjolnir, can be wielded by more than just him – provided that they have the strength of character to be worthy of it. Early in the second “Avengers” film, most of the team attempt to pick it up. None of the crew manage to even budge it, except for Captain America, who audibly shifts it, but gives up when Thor looks worried. During “Endgame,” Thanos has Thor at his mercy when Mjolnir begins to rise and then it flies into Cap’s hand; prompting Thor to exclaim, “I knew it!” Because, of course, if anyone was going to be worthy, it would be Steve Rogers! And seeing him use it to go toe-to-toe with Thanos is awesome! Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Cap & the Wasp “Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018) T’Challa Cares “Captain America: Civil War” (2016) Instant Kill Mode “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017) Queens “Captain America: Civil War” (2016) “All the Stupid with You” “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)
“I Am Iron Man”
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“Iron Man” (2008) The person who most defined the MCU is arguably Tony Stark. His first film kicked off the massive franchise with a bang. The ending of the MCU’s freshman film sees Tony throw out the script prepared by S.H.I.E.L.D. to keep his secret identity and admit that he’s a superhero to the press. It’s an iconic line and one that Tony affirms several times afterwards. But its greatest use occurs during the climax of “Endgame,” which sees Thanos once again possess the Infinity Stones and poised to Snap his fingers after confronting Tony; claiming, “I am inevitable.” However, Tony reveals that he took the Stones for himself, replying, “And I…am…Iron Man,” before snapping his fingers to defeat Thanos and his armies. It’s a fantastic, if sad moment, and the ultimate MCU callback.
