This article has spoilers for every film in the Marvel cinematic universe.
But that wont stop us recapping for continuitys sake.
Heck, its what Kevin Feige would want.
It began in 2008, then, with the landmark casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.
The movie, directed by Jon Favreau, was strong, and a huge hit.
Weve also seen multiple solo films for Iron Man, Thor and Captain America.
He ends up dead.
Perhaps Marvel didnt want a life in captivity to look too cushty?
What happens?This ones pure Tony Stark.
Throw a massive party, seduce some women, and escape during a fireworks display.
Why didnt it make the cut?Its non-vital to continuity.
The suit can fly, after all, so we dont need the stop-off in Dubai.
What happens?As an alternate opening, Bruce Banner is up in some snowy mountains.
The Hulk has different ideas, though.
Meanwhile, Captain America is frozen far below.
They just marked this as fat to be trimmed, it would seem.
What happens?This opening is absolutely sick.
In the literal sense, that is.
Yup, Tony is vomiting into a toilet in this less-than-glamorous alternate opening toIron Man 2.
It seeds Tonys alcoholism and palladium poisoning better than the official, more fun, opening.
Also, with hindsight, it kind-of teases TonysIron Man 3PTSD.
He seems very ill equipped to deal with his life here, after all.
Why didnt it make the cut?A case of reprioritizing, I would guess.
Hot dogs arent the most important thing on Tonys plate at this point in time.
Its a fun scene, though.
In a bid to keep a close eye on him, she plays along.
Pepper gets pissed off.
Thats our take, anyway.
What happens?A building has been blown up in a fight on Earth.
Selvig takes a hit, so Thor launches into action, saving him with Asgardian technology.
Its a big sign of worthiness, especially in this de-powered stage for Thor.
Why didnt it make the cut?Probably to keep the action flowing faster.
Its a shame, though, as more pre-hammer-lifting scenes of Thor being heroic wouldnt have gone amiss.
What happens?Just a brief alternate ending here, with a final send-off for all the characters.
Notably, Selvig is doing some science stuff, and suggests using some S.W.O.R.D.
data alongside the S.H.I.E.L.D.s records.
Then, Jane and Darcy set off a beacon to help Thor find them.
Why didnt it make the cut?Although comic book fans would have loved the S.W.O.R.D.
What happens?Steve Rogers retires from the press circuit and is delivered a medal by Colonel Phillips.
Howard Stark says hes not sure if he trusts Rogers word about HYDRAs weapons.
Theres not many deleted scenes from Caps first adventure, but this is the most interesting one.
Here he meets a waitress who he later saves in the invasion.
Their interaction during the battle would be more significant, had this scene been included.
Also, Stan Lee makes another cameo.
Joss Whedons first cut was said to be around three and a half hours long.
The second sees Loki on the verge of face-palming upon realising that hes left the sceptre somewhere.
It fills in a tiny plot gap in that regard.
We miss the glorious death gag more, though.
What happens?E.J., Harleys bully, sees Tony at his lowest ebb.
Later, Tony tries really hard to save his life.
This more detailed arc about Harleys bully was probably cut for streamlining purposes, then.
Why didnt it make the cut?Its just not vital plot info.
What happens?This one descends into a blooper reel, but its a fun scene nonetheless.
Trevor uses his acting chops to defuse a difficult radio discussion.
While Han Solo would just shoot the thing, its no challenge for the toast of Croydon.
What happens?Thor walks in on his mum doing something naughty… talking to Loki.
What follows is a sweet motherly scene where she discusses her compassion for Loki, despite everything.
She compares his evil bent to Thors banishment in his first solo film.
Friggas motherly love in this scene could have added more weight to her death, too.
Why didnt it make the cut?Well, because Chris Evans turned up for a cameo.
Its still fun to watch, though.
What happens?Cobie Smulders Agent Hill and Maximiliano Hernandezs Agent Sitwell discuss Furys funeral and Caps fugitive status.
Sitwell tells Hill to leave Washington, foreshadowing that hes a bit of a baddie.
Why didnt it make the cut?Its a nice extra, but unnecessary to the story.
If anything, not foreshadowing Sitwells loyalties too heavily made the HYDRA twist more shocking.
What happens?S.H.I.E.L.D.
turn on Cap, and immediately think theyve found him thanks to a tracker in his suit.
Thankfully, Cap already dumped his uniform at a basketball court.
Just cut to him in a hoodie, dont mention a tracker, and youve achieved the same goal.
A never-filmedfight scene between Cap and Hawkeyewould have been cooler, but maybe theyve saved that idea forCivil War.
This scene kills two birds with one stone fighting and talking.
What happens?John C. Reillys Rhomann Dey and Peter Serafinowiczs Denarian Saal discuss where to send the Guardians.
Dey has some trouble with his futuristic clothing.
Selvig questions him for answers, and Chris Hemsworth gets to flex his acting muscles a bit more.
Why didnt it make the cut?The dreams were not an executive favourite according to Whedon.
He was also shot standing with the new Avengers line-up at the close of the film.
Its worth remembering that Marvel executives could probably bring Quicksilver back if they really wanted, though.
