Summary
- Both Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson have delivered iconic quotes in the MCU, solidifying their roles as Captain America.
- Rogers' commitment to being a hero and saving lives was evident even before his transformation into Captain America.
- Wilson's role as Captain America is focused on battling inequality and continuing Rogers' legacy, making his pain and sacrifices worthwhile.
Both characters to take up the mantle of MCU, Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, have delivered some of the most iconic quotes in the history of Marvel Studios' massive franchise. Captain America was one of the first superheroes introduced in Marvel Comics in 1940, back when the company was operating as Timely Comics, making him one of Marvel's longest-running and most popular characters. This meant that, when adapting stories from Marvel Comics into the live-action MCU, Captain America was an essential addition, and in the Multiverse Saga, the star-spangled man-with-a-plan is still one of the MCU's most crucial superheroes.
Chris Evans debuted as Steve Rogers in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, the film that explored his transformation into Captain America that ended with him waking up in the modern era. Captain America's MCU timeline saw him become a founding member of the Avengers, battle villains including the Red Skull, Loki, the Winter Soldier, Ultron, Thanos, and even his fellow Avengers, and travel through time to save the universe before retiring in Avengers: Endgame. The Infinity Saga's conclusion saw Rogers the mantle to Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson, who became Captain America in the MCU's Phase 4, and both heroes have delivered some of the franchise's most memorable quotes.
20 "There Are Men Laying Down Their Lives. I Got No Right To Do Any Less Than Them."
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
2011's Captain America: The First Avenger detailed Steve Rogers' origin story as Captain America but proved that, even before his transformation, he wanted nothing more than to be a hero and save lives. Rogers felt as though he could be doing more to help win World War II, and was uncomfortable with the fact that others were putting their lives on the line when he was ineligible to be drafted. This quote cemented the fact that Rogers' spirit was tougher than his body may have been, but after gaining the attention of Dr. Abraham Erskine, Rogers' body would soon catch up.
19 "If I See A Situation Pointed South, I Can't Ignore It. Sometimes I Wish I Could."
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Phase 3 marked a dark chapter for the Avengers in the MCU, as 2016's Captain America: Civil War saw the team disband over a dispute concerning the Sokovia Accords and Rogers' childhood friend, Bucky Barnes, being framed for an attack at the United Nations. While this series of events brought Steve Rogers and Tony Stark to odds, the pair tried to have a civilized conversation beforehand, with Rogers proclaiming that he disagreed with the Accords as he simply couldn't ignore a situation if he saw it "going south." This line captured Rogers' commitment to his role as a superhero, even if that meant him becoming a fugitive.
18 "Before We Get Started, Does Anyone Want To Get Out?"
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier is widely regarded as one of Chris Evans' strongest performances as Captain America, and the iconic elevator fight scene had a huge part to play in its popularity. After realizing HYDRA had been growing within SHIELD for decades, Rogers turned his back on the intelligence organization that had been his home. While the fight scene between Rogers and a dozen HYDRA agents was thrilling in itself, his opening line suggested that he was still willing to be the hero, allowing anyone to leave if they wanted to, but also proved his confidence that he was going to win this fight.
17 "Language!"
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
Steve Rogers has always been a man out of time in the MCU, starting his journey in the 1940s but waking up and becoming an Avenger in the 21st Century. This means that, sometimes, his 1940s mannerisms slip through, including him scorning Tony Stark for swearing during the opening battle in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron. This hilarious moment became a running joke throughout the rest of the film, implying the Avengers had formed closer bonds in the time between 2012's The Avengers and Age of Ultron, as everyone was ready and willing to poke fun at Captain America.
16 "What Would Be The Point Of All The Pain And Sacrifice If I Wasn't Willing To Stand Up And Keep Fighting?"
The Falcon & The Winter Soldier (2021)
Although Rogers ed the Captain America mantle onto Sam Wilson in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, the latter was initially reluctant to embrace the new role. Instead, John Walker had a stint as Captain America, but Wilson soon realized that the best way to battle inequalities in the United States and continue his friend's legacy in the right way would be to change what it means to be Captain America. Wilson had tried to bring down the Flag Smashers in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as the Falcon but only succeeded in making an impact as Captain America, making at least some of his pain and suffering worth it.
15 "This Is The Fight Of Our Lives, And We're Gonna Win. Whatever It Takes."
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
2019's Avengers: Endgame marked the final chapter in the stories of several of the original Avengers, as Iron Man and Black Widow sacrificed their lives, and Steve Rogers retired as Captain America. Prior to this, however, Earth's Mightiest Heroes embarked on the Time Heist to collect the six Infinity Stones and reverse the devastation caused by Thanos five years earlier. Setting out on their mission, Rogers embraced his former role as the Avengers' leader and gave a rousing speech, suggesting they'd do whatever it takes to complete their mission - a tragic reality for some beloved heroes.
14 "The Price Of Freedom Is High. It Always Has Been. And It's A Price I'm Willing To Pay."
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
In an effort to bring HYDRA to its knees in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Rogers knew that he'd need more than just the help of Natasha Romanoff, Sam Wilson, and Maria Hill. The First Avenger proved that Rogers would be willing to lay down his life to do what was right, and his words in The Winter Soldier cemented this fact. Speaking directly to everyone within SHIELD, Rogers proclaimed that "the price of freedom is high," but that he would pay it, and he was sure that others would too. This was an incredibly powerful moment that led to many SHIELD agents helping in his fight.
13 "I Am Steve Rogers."
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
While Steve Rogers' Captain America perhaps became best known for his moving speeches, his strong leadership skills, and his strict belief in what's right, he was also adept at delivering comedy - even during the height of battle. After Thor journeyed to Wakanda with Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket and Groot in Avengers: Infinity War, the God of Thunder introduced Rogers to his new friend, "tree," though Groot corrected him with his usual "I am Groot." In response, Rogers replied, "I am Steve Rogers," seemingly immediately accepting the talking tree-like creature and delivering one of the most memorable lines of Infinity War.
12 "I Had A Date."
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Waking up almost 70 years after sacrificing himself to save thousands of lives in Captain America: The First Avenger, Rogers quickly realized he was out of time, soon after being met by Nick Fury in Times Square. For any average person, this adjustment would have been difficult to comprehend, but the only thing on Rogers' mind after learning the truth was that he'd missed his date with Peggy Carter. Not only was this a tender moment of romance between the destined lovers, but this line also proved that Rogers had kept his good heart, just as Erskine had urged him to prior to his transformation into Captain America.
11 "We'll Do That Together Too."
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
The MCU's Avengers took a while to come together as a team in their original 2012 film, but by 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, they had been working together for some time and had built incredibly strong connections with each other. This was proven after Tony Stark accidentally unleashed the villainous Ultron on the world, yet Rogers used this moment to bring the team together. When Stark suggests that alien life is the "endgame" and ponders how they'll beat it, Rogers retorts that they'll do it together, and if they lose, at least they'll do that together, too, creating one of the MCU's most powerful moments of teamwork.
