The Marvel Cinematic Universe features individuals coming together, heroes from different worlds gathering to fight a common enemy. Though fantastic duos do exist, it is mostly a world of solo heroes and large teams. Marvel’s newest film, Ant-Man and the Wasp will change that with the MCU’s first doubled-billed heroes. They haven’t officially suited up together yet, but Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne already make a great team. Seeing the namesakes of two of the comics version’s original Avengers in full glory promises to solidify the diminutive heroes as a duo for the ages, in perfect company with these other great MCU pairs.
Captain America and Bucky
Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes grew up as friends in Brooklyn, with Bucky looking out for the smaller Steve. When the Super Soldier Serum turned the tables on that dynamic, their friendship remained strong. Together they fought both Nazis and HYDRA in World War II until Bucky’s apparent death.
Decades later, the two would reconnect, this time as enemies. Rather than dismiss Bucky as a cold-blooded killer, Captain America reached out and ultimately broke through the decades of conditioning to get through to the old friend he’d thought died long ago. Later, Cap would sacrifice his good name and his friendship with Tony Stark to protect Bucky and help him down the path toward a redemption that would heal a friendship nearly a century old.
Thor and Loki
They say that opposites attract, but when they connect, they’re often really entertaining. Few pairings in the MCU have been more fun to watch than Asgard‘s Gods of Thunder and Mischief. Thor and Loki have long served as foils for each other. Whether they’re fighting to the death, bickering as brothers, or working together to save their home, the Sons of Asgard light up every moment they share.
Despite the animosity, neither brother can ignore how important they are to each other. Though they have separate paths – often at cross purposes with each other – they continually find themselves in each other’s lives, and the MCU is better for it. Hopefully, it’s harder to kill a god than it seems, because these two are at their best when they’re together.
Black Panther and Shuri
The MCU is fraught with family drama, from the royal intrigues of Asgard to the living planet who wants to consume his son’s life force. Healthy relationships are all too rare, as family strife makes for good drama. However, T’Challa and his younger sister, Shuri, prove healthy relationships can be just as entertaining.
From the gentle ribbing of loving siblings to the polished one-two punch of an action hero and his brilliant tech guru, the children of T’Chaka share the same wavelength like no other MCU duo. The King of Wakanda and the smartest person on the planet are, at their core, two loving siblings that would do anything to protect each other. Let’s hope this is the beginning of many positive family ties to come.
Iron Man and Spider-Man
In the comics, a personal tragedy taught Peter Parker the awesome responsibility that comes with superpowers. In the MCU, while that may still have happened, it’s the wisdom and guidance of his unlikely mentor, Tony Stark, who shows him what it truly means to be Spider-Man. When Tony sought out the local hero from the viral video, little did he know they would each fill a role missing from the other’s life: surrogate father and surrogate son.
In Avengers: Infinity War, when Iron Man’s pursuit of Doctor Strange leads him into space, Spider-Man is at his side, much to Tony’s dismay. Peter’s desire to impress his new-found father figure and Tony’s need to protect Peter often clash, but this also highlights the deep affection between these two very different people. Few would have predicted what a great team these two would make, but nowhere in the MCU has the chemistry between two characters been so instant and so enduring.
Rocket and Groot
Since their first appearance in the MCU, the sarcastic, fast-talking raccoon and his soft-spoken, unexpectedly kind muscle stole fans’ hearts, becoming instant favorites. Throughout the films, Rocket and Groot (both incarnations) have never been far apart. Groot’s even-tempered gentleness pairs beautifully with Rocket’s caustic anger and abrasive humor. And the deep affection these two opposites share for each other makes this one of the best duos in all of film, not just the MCU.
After the original Groot’s sacrifice, it was Rocket who cared for Groot’s sapling in the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel, and Rocket who would take on the role of the younger Groot’s guardian. In Infinity War, the partners-in-crime dynamic shifted to that of frustrated father and rebellious teen, but the love between the two remains. It’s hard to imagine one without the other. How will Rocket react to losing his best friend a second time?
Scarlet Witch and Vision
The MCU likes to juggle the comic book origins and characteristics of its heroes and villains, but one relationship they’ve stayed true to is the endearing but star-crossed romance of Wanda Maximoff and Vision. Though both characters’ MCU backgrounds are vastly different than their comic counterparts, they’ve found each other here, as well.
As in the comics, the obligations and dangers of being heroes threaten their happiness almost daily. Despite the obstacles, however, their devotion to each other shows us that even a super-powered product of experimentation and an android powered by an infinity stone can dream of a normal life. Here’s hoping the Avengers can undo Thanos’s deeds because if these two can make it, there’s hope for us all.
