Avengers: Endgame continues to set records on pace to becoming one of the most prolific movies of all time. Along with being an action-packed, emotional roller coaster, it was a send-off for some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most important characters. Along with Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff, MCU fans said goodbye to the man who started it all, Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man/Tony Stark, and the compass that guided everyone, Chris Evans' Captain America/Steve Rogers.
But as is the case with every movie, including Avengers: Infinity War, someone had to be the film's main character. It's down to Iron Man and Captain America, but who has the edge? Here Are Five Reasons Captain America Is The Main Character in Avengers: Endgame and Five It Is Iron Man:
Cap's Screen Time
The quick and simple reason explaining why Captain America was the lead in Avengers: Endgame is he was on the screen more than anyone. Evans clocked in 66 minutes, narrowly edging out Iron Man by four.
Cap set the tone for much of the first act, showing viewers how the post-snap world was impacting everyone on Earth. Then when things get dicey as the Avengers put their Ant-Man-inspired plan into play, Cap was at center stage, running the show off of the information Iron Man and Professor Hulk provided. And, of course, in the final act of the movie, Cap is all over the screen fighting Thanos and his cast of alien monsters.
Iron Man Solved a Major Problem
Without Iron Man's unparalleled brilliance, we don't get half the movie. Although he needed some inspiration from Paul Rudd's Scott Lang, Tony Stark reminded everyone how valuable he can be without any help from his suit. Time travel had never been accomplished in the MCU until Iron Man got the job done.
Bruce Banner came close, though he did quite get the job done. Had Tony not stepped in and showed off his genius, who knows what would've happened with the rest of the movie? (One thing's for sure, Lang probably would've gone to the bathroom in his time travel suit at least one more time).
Cap had Endgame's Coolest Moment
If there was ever a moment worth getting up out of your seat and letting out a primal scream during Avengers: Endgame it was when Captain America took hold of Mjolnir. First off, it gave MCU fans a gift they'd been holding of for since Avengers: Age of Ultron led everyone to believe Captain America was close to being worthy of holding Thor's hammer.
Second, and maybe more important, Cap went to town on Thanos once he had Mjolnir. The Mad Titan may have turned the tides on Steve Rogers, even with the Mjolnir in hand, but that also led to another major moment, backing up Cap's stock in the blockbuster.
Iron Man had One of Endgame's Most Important Moments
Without the snap from Avengers: Infinity War, we have no Avengers: Endgame. (That also probably means a few important characters survive this ordeal, but that's another story.) Without Professor Hulk's snap-in Avengers: Endgame, we don't see the list of major characters and crucial soldiers return for the battle of Earth.
However, as much as Hulk accomplished the goal the Avengers originally set out to do, that was almost undone when Thanos got his hands on the Stark Infinity Gauntlet. Had Iron Man not stolen the Infinity Stones and snapped Thanos and his army out of existence, ensuring his own death, everyone in the galaxy, not just the people Hulk brought back, would have died. Without this heroic act from Iron Man, the MCU ceases to exist.
Cap Assembled the Avengers
Listen, there's only one person who can really assemble the Avengers, and that's Captain America. We've been waiting for him to do so, properly, since The Avengers was released back in in 2012. We all wanted it to happen at a cool moment. But it was more important Cap eventually said it at some point before he died (or Chris Evans' contract ran out).
The Russo brothers gave us that it the most amazing way possible, when Steve finally said, "Avengers, assemble." as he led Earth's mightiest heroes into battle with Thanos' horde. One of the most memorable and iconic moments in the history of one of the greatest movie franchises ever.
Pepper's last words to Tony
When Pepper Potts tells Tony everyone is going to be OK and that he can rest, just before he draws his last breath, we get the full breadth of how much he is bound to his role as Iron Man. The MCU itself is equally bound to Iron Man. Without him, none of this is possible.
Cap Finally had a Real Life
As much as Captain America survived the battle with Thanos, we shouldn't see him in another MCU movie anytime soon. Because he finally got his shot at a real life with Peggy Carter.
Steve went back in time to deliver all the Infinity Stones he and the other Avengers borrowed. In doing so, he stayed with Peggy, knowing the future was in good hands. Only characters of great importance get to ride off into the sunset like Cap (even if it is metaphorically).
Iron Man's Funeral
Everyone and their mother — rather, their aunt — showed up for Tony Stark's funeral. Even Harley Keener from Iron Man 3 found his way to Tony's place by the water. Hank Pym put his past with the starks behind him, too. The list goes on.
Such a spectacle was made of this event because Tony gave his life for literally everyone else's. And it was a way for all MCU fans to thank Iron Man for all he'd done.
Cap Chose His Replacement
The role of Captain became a staple in American society thanks to Steve Rogers. What he represented was something everyone can strive to be. He's selfless, strong, smart and so on.
The world needs Captain America. Therefore, the only one who can pick the proper replacement is Captain America. It was important we knew who'd take on the role going forward, with Winer Soldier being the other option opposite Falcon, the new Captain America.
Iron Man has No Defined Replacement
Spider-Man is the closest thing to an Iron Man replacement. However, there are some pretty distinct differences between the two at this point. Unlike cap, Tony Stark didn't get to specifically tell someone, "You are Iron Man." That was the right move by the Russo brothers. No one else can be Iron Man.