The Marvel Cinematic Universe would be nothing without great writing. As spectacular as the action is, memorable dialogue sticks in the mind just as vividly.
Not only does writing help develop characters and flesh out relationships, but it also offers us new perspectives and can even impart timeless wisdom. Over 15 years of the MCU, there are plenty of memorable lines to pick from, and loads that didn't make the cut.
Here are the ten very best quotes we love from the MCU.
"He may have been your father ... but he wasn't your daddy."
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, Yondu highlights an important distinction in his relationship with Peter Quill. While he's not Quill's biological father, Yondu played a much bigger part in raising him into the man he is today. Despite the differences the pair have had over the years (including Yondu literally going on a manhunt for Quill with his murderous Ravagers), Yondu has been Quill's true father figure.
"If you're nothing without the suit, then you don't deserve it." - Tony Stark
This line from Tony Stark to Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming says everything about Parker's mentality. It comes after the newbie Spider-Man messes up one too many times, prompting Stark to teach him a life lesson: it's not material possessions that make us what we are, but what's inside us. In other words, you need to be a hero on the inside to play one on the outside.
"What is grief if not love persevering?"
This sage life advice comes in the final episode of WandaVision, and has stuck with many viewers. Vision says the line to Wanda in order to help her cope with the loss of her children and the blinding sadness that comes with it. The reason it resonates, however, is because everyone will suffer grief at some point in their lives, and Vision's words offer some much-needed comfort.
"That's my secret, Captain. I'm always angry."
One of the most famous MCU quotes happens in the very first Avengers film, right when Bruce Banner Hulks out and saves NYC. "Banner, now might be a really good time for you to get angry," advises Captain America when a Chitauri Leviathan soars towards them. The mild-mannered Banner walks towards it nonchalantly, suggesting he's not really prepared for the encounter. He surprises everyone, however, by revealing there's a constant simmering rage within him ready to explode at a moment's notice.
"You get hurt, hurt 'em back. You get killed ... walk it off."
Captain America is nothing if not inspiring, but Avengers: Age of Ultron contains his most rousing speech yet. The pep talks comes during the climatic battle against Ultron's Sentries on Sokovia. As thousands of Sentries converge and hope is waning, he tells his team not even death is an excuse for failure. And you know Captain America is a man to live by his own words, meaning he's the perfect leader to follow into battle.
"Are you Thor, the god of hammers?"
Up until this line in Thor Ragnarok, Thor had misunderstood his power. He mistakenly put all his faith in his enchanted hammer, Mjölnir. When his evil sister Hela shatters it, therefore, he has a crisis of confidence. Thor's father, Odin, puts him straight, reminding him that he's a God with or without his weapons. And not just any God, but the God of Thunder. Cue Thor unleashing lightning on Asgard's Bifröst set to Led Zepplin's Immigrant Song.
"She's not alone."
During the battle of Wakanda in Avengers Infinity War, Proxima Midnight taunts Okoye as she prepares to strike the killing blow, telling her she'll die alone. Black Widow leaps in to defend Okoye, telling her she's not alone. With Wanda also joining the fray, it shows how the previously male-dominated Avengers is truly an equal opportunities team, and that these ladies have each other's backs.
"We Are Groot!"
Groot can only say three words: "I am Groot." That's kind of his thing. He subverts expectations at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy, however, with this line. What hits harder is that Groot says it while sacrificing his life to save his friends by forming a protective shell around them. What's sadder is Groot really does die here; later incarnations are Groot offsprings with different personalities, none better than the much-loved original.
"Dormammu, I've come to bargain."
How do you put a fresh twist on the typical hero vs villain end fight? Doctor Strange led the way when he faced off against the ridiculously powerful ruler of the Dark Dimension in his debut movie. Instead if fighting him, Strange makes him submit out of sheer frustration, trapping him in a time loop. Every time Dormammu kills Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts reappears with the words "Dormammu, I've Come To Bargain."
"I am Iron Man."
The line that follows encapsulates Iron Man, uttered at the end of the movie that kickstarted that MCU. Typically, superheroes conceal their identities in order to stop evil-doers targeting their loved ones. It speaks to both Tony Stark's power, as well as his ego, that he proudly announces to a room of reporters he's the man behind the mask. After all, no one tells Iron Man what to do.
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