The Heroes and Villains of Avengers: Age of Ultron
If you’ve somehow missed out on the last seven years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, jumping in at Avengers: Age of Ultron may be a tad confusing. The stories all tie together in bits and pieces to create a massive storyline shared amongst the films. You could spend the better part of a weekend catching up or you could use this trusty guide to the heroes and villains staring in this summer’s big superhero release.
Tony Stark / Iron Man
Tony Stark is the cocky billionaire genius behind Stark Industries and co-founder of the Avengers. He uses his incredible inventive talent to save the planet as an armored superhero called Iron Man. He starts the Avengers to join forces with other superhero talent to protect Earth. During his downtime, he works on a peacekeeping project involving artificial intelligence androids that inevitably try to take over the world.
Steve Rogers / Captain America
After being injected with an experimental serum during World War II, Steve Rogers goes from scrawny guy on the block to peak physical condition. He takes down multiple HYDRA quarters before crashing into the Artic in a heroic move to save America. When he awakens 66 years later, he struggles with the changes in the world but steps up to help protect the world once again. With Iron Man, Captain America starts the Avengers and takes on the evil villains of the world. In the latest film, Captain America struggles to find a place where he belongs.
Thor
After reckless behavior, Thor, the prince of Asgard, was stripped of his power and banished to Earth by his father Odin. He finds himself and protects Earth from the treachery of his adoptive brother, Loki. He redeems himself and is welcomed home but returns to retrieve his brother only to find him trying to take over the world. He joins the Avengers and claims Earth as his home, so he takes Ultron’s attack on the humans personally.
Bruce Banner / Hulk
Bruce Banner is a renowned scientist who is exposed to gamma radiation, turning him into a bulging green monster when he’s angry. The mild-mannered scientist takes shelter in solitude while continuing his scientific work. It’s not until his scientific expertise and brute strength are needed to save the world that he emerges as a member of the Avengers. The inner turmoil continues as Banner and his alter-ego Hulk defend the world from Ultron.
Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Clint Barton is a former agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a master archer. His mission is to protect the Tesseract but he ends up getting brainwashed by Loki. When he overcomes the mind control, he joins the Avengers in a quest to defeat the man who brainwashed him. Avengers: Age of Ultron delves more into his character and why he’s the independent loner type. Hawkeye may be a member of the team, but only out of necessity.
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Natasha Romanoff was once a member of the KGB before Clint Barton was sent to assassinate her. Instead, he recognized her skillset as a highly-trained spy and assassin and recommended that she join S.H.I.E.L.D. instead. Her martial arts training and counter-intelligence training have since come in handy as a member of the Avengers.
Pietro Maximoff / Quicksilver
Pietro Maximoff was abandoned in Sokovia, the operations base for HYDRA, with his twin sister Wanda as a child, forming a strong bond with his kin. After tests involving the Chitauri Scepter grant him supersonic speed abilities, Pietro becomes Quicksilver. He initially sides with Ultron, though he later joins forces with the Avengers.
Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff has been close to her twin brother her entire life and participates in tests alongside Pietro. While he gains intense physical abilities, Wanda gains intense mental abilities, granting her access to hypnotic and telekinetic powers. Though she initially joins her brother in forces with Ultron, the twins eventually side with the Avengers.
Sam Wilson / Falcon
Sam Wilson started off as a loyal member of the US Air Force but calls it quits when his wingman dies. He meets Steve Rogers and later offers him and Natasha Romanoff refuge from HYDRA. He offers his assistance in the form of a winged jetpack that allows him to fly at the speed of jets. He takes on the superhero title of Falcon in his quests to protect Earth from evil forces.
Nick Fury
Nick Fury is a former S.H.I.E.L.D. director and the founding member of the Avengers. He leads the team while keeping the superheroes united in their cause to protect Earth.
Vision
Vision is a synthezoid created by Ultron. He’s human in nature but all of his organs are created from synthetic parts. He has the ability to change his density, granting him the ability to levitate or increase strength. He eventually joins the Avengers after Tony and Bruce program him.
Ultron
What started out as an artificial intelligence peace project gains a mind of its own and develops a god complex. The android makes it his mission to save Earth from mankind and eradicate humanity. His quest forces his founder, Tony Stark, and the other Avengers to take him down and preserve mankind. Ultron is a villain who sees things in a very disturbing light.
Catch these characters and more in Avengers: Age of Ultron, now playing in theaters.
