Captain America: Civil War – Nothing We Haven’t Seen Before

Surprise, surprise – the trailer for Captain America: Civil War STILL hasn’t dropped to the public yet. The movie is only a few months away, and the most we’ve gotten so far is a bunch of leaked set pictures and a description about the trailer released at the D23 Expo. It’s a fact that almost every single Marvel Cinematic Universe fan is excited for this movie, even if a lot of people were disappointed with Avengers: Age of Ultron. People are pumped to see a film where the Avengers fight their most fearsome enemies: each other. It’s one thing to battle against an evil trickster god or a legion of robots; but what happens when you’re forced to fight against the allies who have stayed by your side for so long?

Here’s the one problem with the concept of Civil War (at least, in the MCU): the Avengers fighting against each other is nothing new. In the numerous Marvel movies we’ve seen so far, almost every hero has fought against one another. Seriously, I don’t think there is a single hero who hasn’t at least thrown a punch at one of their companions.

War Machine vs. Iron Man – Iron Man 2

One of the first instances of friend fighting friend in the MCU is during the events of Iron Man 2. While Tony Stark is hammered out of his mind and strutting around his house party in his Iron Man suit, his best friend Rhodey decides to step in. He dons a prototype of an earlier Iron Man suit and engages in a brief yet entertaining fight with Stark, all while being accompanied by some sick tunes. One issue I had with the fight was regarding Rhodey’s proficiency with the suit. This was the first time he put on the costume and yet he was able to control it pretty well. Remember back in the first Iron Man when it took Stark a couple of tries to even learn how to fly? MAYBE the prototype that Rhodey was wearing was adjusted so that a beginner could use it easily, but I still think it’s fishy.

Since we’re 99.9999999% sure that War Machine and Iron Man will be on the same side throughout Captain America: Civil War, we can assume that there won’t be another repeat of this incident of the two shell-heads confronting each other.

 

Thor vs. Iron Man & Captain America – Avengers Assemble

To be fair, this was more of Thor vs. Iron Man, but I’m tossing Cap in there since he got involved toward the end. In Avengers Assemble, Thor and Iron Man clash in the middle of a forest after the former snatched Loki from S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. You’d think that someone like the God of Thunder would be able to crush Iron Man like a tin can. Nope. Surprisingly, Stark holds his own for most of the fight, and he even manages to leave a couple of scratches on Thor here and there. Captain America dives in at the last minute to break up the fight, but Thor is still not happy. He almost flattens the Star-Spangled Avenger if it wasn’t for the Vibranium shield absorbing the blow. Mjolnir, the hammer forged in the heart of a dying star, is unable to break through some metal found in the heart of Africa? Just… I don’t know…

Thor’s fighting prowess doesn’t really matter since he’s not scheduled to appear in the next Captain America film, which kinda makes sense since he wasn’t around in the Civil War comic. In fact, in the comics, Iron Man’s side is joined by an android clone of Thor named Ragnarok, who makes the MCU’s Thor look like a chump. But in order to play out the full “Ragnarok in the Civil War” storyline, they’d have to bring in other Marvel characters like Goliath and Hercules and so on, so it’s probably a good idea to exclude him completely for the sake of simplicity.

Black Widow vs. the Hulk – Avengers Assemble

This one isn’t exactly a fight per se, but it still counts as Avenger vs. Avenger. In Avengers Assemble, Bruce Banner loses control of his rage and transforms into the Hulk aboard the Helicarrier. Unfortunately, he does so in the presence of Black Widow, who becomes a prime target of the Hulk’s rampage. We watch as BW spends the next couple of minutes running from the beast, narrowly avoiding being squashed several times. This showed us that Black Widow, while not exactly super-powered, is still capable of surviving in a superhuman battle, thanks to her gymnastic and acrobatic abilities.

Once again, this fight might not matter too much in the grand scheme of things since the Hulk isn’t set to appear in Captain America: Civil War; however, Thunderbolt Ross, who eventually becomes the Red Hulk, has been spotted in the D23 trailer and cast list. It’s unknown if he’ll become the red version of our favorite smasher, but if he does, will he possibly clash with Black Widow?

Thor vs. the Hulk – Avengers Assemble

https://youtu.be/advsN-DfY2k

Now THIS is a fight. The God of Thunder versus the Incredible Hulk. Who would win? Well, since they’re both heroes, obviously nobody technically wins. The two titans become engaged in battle when Thor saves Black Widow from the Hulk. Thor realizes that Banner is unable to control himself, so he goes easy in the earlier half of the fight, merely blocking and avoiding blows whenever possible. Once the Hulk makes Thor bleed, though, he goes on the offensive. The God of Thunder summons his hammer and goes to town on his opponent, clubbing the green giant across the face and knocking him halfway across the Helicarrier a couple times.

Both Thor and the Hulk are off the table for Captain America: Civil War, but it’s been indicated that they will appear side-by-side in Thor: Ragnarok. It’s possible that we’ll get to see them have another battle in Asgard while the rest of the Avengers are duking it out on Earth.

Black Widow vs. Hawkeye – Avengers Assemble

Black Widow can’t catch a break in Avengers Assemble. After dodging the Hulk, she runs right into a mind-controlled Hawkeye, and the two BFFs get into an intense fight. Here is where we get to see the master assassins both shine. They’re the two minor-league Avengers who don’t have super powers or hi-tech armor to assist them in battle. It’s nothing but fists and blades (and teeth) in this brutal one-on-one.

Black Widow and Hawkeye are both going to be appearing in Captain America: Civil War. Not only that, but they’re also going to be on separate sides, with BW on Team Stark and the Hawkeye on Team Rogers. The D23 trailer contained a scene where the two fought each other while exchanging quips about their friendship. Looks like all the Hawkeye and Black Widow fans are going to be upset about this one…

 

Captain America vs. the Winter Soldier – Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Out of all the fights in the MCU, the ones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier have to be my favorite. I can go on and on about the depth of the fights between Captain America and the Winter Soldier, and how painful it was to watch the two former best friends quarrel with each other, but I’d rather just discuss how awesome it was to see them kick each other’s asses. The best part was during the first fight scene on the street where Steve actually fights the Winter Soldier without his shield. The man has nothing but his own fists and he’s still got the guts to stand up to a guy with a robotic arm. It goes to show that Steve Rogers will not back down from a fight, no matter what the odds (in Avengers Assemble, he actually went one-on-one against Loki, a freakin’ god, with no hesitation).

It’s been all but confirmed that the Winter Soldier will be on Captain America’s side in the next film, so we may not witness another fight scene between the two. Instead, we could actually watch the two pull a tag-team as they try to take down Iron Man or one of their other super-powered foes.

Star-Lord vs. Gamora vs. Rocket & Groot – Guardians of the Galaxy

https://youtu.be/YlyPxpLraaA

We’re throwing a wild card in here. None of the Guardians of the Galaxy are set to show up in the Earth-side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that doesn’t mean that they’re excluded from the “friends fighting against friends” rule. The first time that four of the Guardians meet each other, they get into a brief chase/fight scene. It’s basically Star-Lord vs. Gamora vs. the bounty hunters Rocket and Groot. We see some of Gamora’s excellent fight moves, Star-Lord’s cunning battle strategies, and Rocket and Groot’s teamwork. It’s a fun scene that explores each of the characters’ strengths and makes you wonder how they would’ve worked out in a Civil War situation. Now if only Drax could’ve been involved with that fight…

Hawkeye vs. Quicksilver – Avengers: Age of Ultron

The Hawkeye and Quicksilver rivalry was one of Age of Ultron‘s best running gags (bet you saw that pun coming!). Hawkeye really got to shine this time around, and the pairing with Quicksilver was unexpectedly perfect. The guy with the arrows vs. the world’s fastest moving target – hardly sounds like an even match-up.

Of course, Quicksilver won’t actually be in Civil War as his story with Hawkeye ends when he dies to save his former enemy’s life. But the scene does show that Hawkeye doesn’t back down against high-powered foes, and that he definitely shouldn’t be underestimated. I’m sure there will be another Hawkeye match-up we won’t see coming.

Captain America & Thor vs. Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch – Avengers: Age of Ultron

In the earliest parts of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch were not huge fans of the Avengers. The big fight scene involves Thor and Captain America vs. the twins. While Thor may be a god and Captain may be a superior battle strategist, the Avengers get their asses handed to them by the Maximoffs, at least, until Quicksilver makes a stupid decision to try to grab Thor’s hammer in mid-flight and Scarlet Witch lets herself get tazed by Hawkeye. It’s a bit of a cop-out, but I guess they couldn’t have the twins ACTUALLY beat the Avengers.

With Quicksilver dead and Thor in Asgard, the only two people from this fight who are going to appear in the next film are Captain and Scarlet Witch, and apparently, they’re going to be on the same side. This could prove to be a bit unusual since SW eventually marries and has children with the Vision (Team Stark) in the comics. Are we going to see a little bit of a Romeo and Juliet storyline at some point in the film? Oh, God, I hope not… Cut out the romance, or save it for another movie.

 

Hulk vs. Iron Man – Avengers: Age of Ultron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FZKTC5C8vI

Even if you didn’t like Avengers: Age of Ultron, can we all agree that the Hulkbuster fight scene was bad-ass? Sure, it was a re-hatch of the first film’s plot where the Hulk goes on a rampage and has to be stopped by his companions, but we got to see the Hulkbuster! Just watching the two giants flying around Wakanda, smashing each other into buildings, was worth the ticket price alone (at least it was to me). Getting a glimpse of what kind of armor Stark can create also showed us just how formidable he can be as an opponent.

Iron Man is noted for having an entire army of suits, each one designed for a certain situation. He’s got the Hulkbuster, the Thorbuster, the Sorcerer Armor, etc. Who’s to say he doesn’t have a general Avengerbuster suit somewhere in his arsenal? We’re supposed to be seeing the Bleeding Edge armor at some point in Captain America: Civil War, but what if the MCU’s version of this suit is designed specifically to take out Captain America?

 

Iron Man vs. Captain America – Avengers: Age of Ultron

We have to acknowledge the fact that Steve Rogers’ and Tony Stark’s animosity toward each other went back further than just the events of Civil War. The two have had their spats here and there, but Avengers: Age of Ultron is where we see them actually physically confront each other for the first time. Clearly, this was done as a precursor to Captain America: Civil War, serving as a small dose of what was in store in the future.

A punch here, a repulsor blast there, and the fight is over rather quickly. Hey, it’s something. I think Marvel fans (including myself) have been waiting for Stark and Rogers to fight since their first encounter in Avengers Assemble. We got a small teaser; now we wait for the grand finale. I absolutely cannot wait to watch Cap and Iron Man beat the living crap out of each other next year.

Falcon vs. Ant-Man – Ant-Man

You thought I’d end this list on the Stark vs. Rogers fight? Not a chance. I’m touching on this last Avenger vs. Avenger fight in the MCU – Ant-Man and Falcon. I absolutely loved the fight between these two characters, mainly because of the imaginative use of Ant-Man’s powers. I’ll admit that it was a little unusual that an amateur such as Ant-Man was able to defeat a seasoned Avenger/military vet like Falcon, but I guess they wanted to prove that size didn’t matter (heyo!).

Falcon is obviously going to be siding with Cap in the Civil War, and according to the D23 trailer (as well as the end-credits scene of Ant-Man), it looks like Scott Lang is joining their coalition as well. I wonder how they’ll incorporate Ant-Man’s abilities in the battle scenes. Will he shrink down and sabotage Iron Man or War Machine’s suit from the inside? Or could we see him become Giant-Man during the battle (though, I’m not sure who would be able to match him in a fight). All I know is, Ant-Man better get a chance to demonstrate his fighting prowess again.

So as you can see, the Avengers fighting against one another is nothing new to behold, but this is the first time it’s going to be an all-out brawl involving separate teams. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell.