The sprawling and complex world-building of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has captivated fans since Tony Stark’s introduction in 2008. The first Iron Man helped prove that superhero films can focus on rich characters. Robert Downey Jr.’s speech at the end of Iron Man showed that human touch would define this cinematic universe.
The monologue format can be the perfect theatrical platform for heroes, villains, or anti-heroes to express themselves. Whether it’s an expression from an evil warlord to a fiercely patriotic super-solider, these monologues highlight the depth of the characters who inhabit the MCU.
10 The Mandarin’s Monologue Is Chilling Despite The Twist
Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 became one of the most polarizing films of the MCU. Most of the criticism came from the twist involving The Mandarin being an actor instead of a terrorist. Some fans enjoyed the twist, while others were highly critical.
Despite the controversy around the plot twist, many agree that Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin had a stunningly chilling monologue. The diatribe began with The Mandarin professing himself to be “a teacher” before claiming responsibility for a series of terrorist attacks and threatening the president. Kingsley’s performance of the villain and the delivery of this monologue are solidly menacing, despite the eventual divisive twist.
9 Killmonger’s Monologue To T’Challa Is Intense
Black Panther
Black Panther was one of the more acclaimed movies from Phase Three. Much of that acclaim came from the acting of the late Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan. The latter played T’Challa’s estranged cousin Killmonger. Killmonger’s goals for Wakanda differed greatly from T’Challa’s, and thus he sought to take T’Challa out and become the Black Panther.
Killmonger’s infamous monologue showcased his intense lust for vengeance as he recalled how he trained and killed to get to the moment where he could face off against T’Challa. Killmonger’s Navy SEAL training and anger made him the perfect antagonist for Boseman’s T’Challa.
8 Zemo’s Monologue In Civil War Is Very Persuasive
Captain America: Civil War
Before he displayed a devilish charm in the MCU series Falcon and Winter Solider, Zemo was a brooding villain who was hell-bent on destroying the Avengers. In Captain America: Civil War, fans get a peek into Zemo’s reasoning behind his actions.
Zemo explained to T’Challa that his anger with the Avengers is a result of their fight in Sokovia, which caused the death of his family. T’Challa decided that he wouldn’t go down Zemo’s path and discarded his quest for revenge. Zemo’s recollection is heartbreaking and reminiscent of Killmonger’s sympathetic motivations, so fans can almost understand Zemo’s actions.
7 Captain America Reminded Viewers Of The Price Of Freedom
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Before Anthony Mackie took up the mantle, Chris Evans was the beloved super-soldier. Evans had the opportunity to flex his acting chops in the highly regarded Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Captain America exposed Hydra’s infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D over the intercom with an impassioned invocation to resist orders, reminding them “the price of freedom” is high. The monologue is so inspiring that Captain Falcon jokingly asked Steve if he “wrote that down.” Captain America fans couldn’t ask for a better soliloquy.
6 Gamora’s Last Words Were Defiantly Cathartic
Avengers: Infinity War
Infinity War was chock-full of painful moments for MCU fans, as Thanos finally accomplished his mission to snap away half of the population. For Guardians of the Galaxy fans, Gamora’s demise probably hurt the most.
Before Thanos killed her, Gamora unleashed her feelings toward her murderous father figure. Gamora’s monologue displayed the fraught relationship between her and Thanos, even though Thanos still claimed he loved her. Re-watching Gamora’s monologue makes it all the more powerful, as fans know that she was on the precipice of meeting her untimely demise,
5 Loki’s Monologue Balanced Severity With Comic Relief
The Avengers
Besides Thanos, Loki is probably the villain who’s most synonymous with the MCU. Tom Hiddleston’s performances throughout the franchise have all brought an air of dignity to Thor’s mischievous brother.
One of Loki’s more memorable scenes occurred in The Avengers when Loki gave a short protest to the Hulk. Loki started to spout off to the Hulk about his godlike greatness, but the Hulk cut him off to violently toss him back and forth. Though it’s a short monologue, the moment exemplified the comedic relief that the MCU would become known for.
4 Hawkeye Gave A Striking Speech
Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Hawkeye has had some prickly moments in the MCU, but he was always loyal and motivational. During the fight in Sokovia, Wanda was experiencing a paralyzing moment of fear and panic. In a bit of tough love, Hawkeye acknowledged that the situation was chaotic but that if she chose to fight, she can’t back down.
Though he gave Wanda the option to hide, Hawkeye did warn her that once she stepped outside, “she was an Avenger.” The monologue is encouraging in the best way and defined the chemistry between Wanda and Hawkeye.
3 Tony Stark’s Reveal Embodied The MCU’s Style
Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr’s debut as Tony Stark set the tone for what the MCU would become. The aspects of the MCU that fans love, such as its charm, humor, and heroics, were embodied by Downey in the first Iron Man. The best example of this occurred at the end of the film when Tony abruptly revealed in a press conference that he was Iron Man.
The speech before Tony’s reveal left viewers on the edge of their seats about whether he would tell the truth or not. Because of Tony’s moment of clarity, the phrase “I am Iron Man” is as iconic as the Black Sabbath song that accompanied the film.
2 Thanos’ Expressed How High The Stakes Were
Avengers: Infinity War
Thanos’s genocidal quest to capture the Infinity Stones defined the MCU before Phase Four. It’s what made Infinity War one of the most anticipated films in cinema history (second to Endgame). Thanos’ introduction speech in Infinity War has a cold and sinister tone.
The evil purple warlord explained to Loki that he “knew what it’s like to lose” as he eloquently foreshadowed the horror he was about to exact on the universe. Thanos’ monologue is considered one of the best MCU monologues ever, mainly because of the fierce bloodlust that Thanos possessed. Well-written moments such as this are why Infinity War is considered by critics the best MCU movie ever.
1 Nick Fury’s Speech Still Pulls At The Heart Strings
The Avengers
Fans would be hard-pressed to find a monologue more powerful than Nick Fury’s stern plea for a fallen friend. In The Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D agent Phil Coulson made the ultimate sacrifice by allowing himself to die to buy the Avengers time to respond to Loki.
Tensions are high between the Avengers and Fury. Fury acknowledged that he was going to make a weapon with the Tesseract, but he implored the weary heroes to put aside any differences for Coulson, who believed in the idea that the Avengers could serve the greater good. The speech has been praised among the MCU’s fanbase as one of the most emotionally epic speeches in the MCU thus far. If anything, it proved Samuel L. Jackson can deliver an iconic monologue.
