The final battle of Avengers: Endgame was basically one huge hit of fan service, with co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo stuffing it with so many awesome moments that had fans jumping for joy. Be it the heroes all coming through the portals, that all-female team-up scene or Cap finally saying the phrase “Avengers assemble,” it had it all.
Perhaps the most surprising moment though was when Steve Rogers finally proved himself worthy and was able to wield Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. Sure, he got a squeak out of it back in Avengers: Age of Ultron but here, Cap had complete command of the weapon and used it to summon lightning to zap Thanos.
According to the film’s directors, though, Rogers was always able to hold Mjolnir, even back in Ultron. Yup, that’s right, according to Joe and Anthony, Cap’s been worthy this whole time.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast recently, the brothers were asked: ““Why in your heads was [Captain America] not able to wield the hammer until this moment?” To that, they gave an interesting answer, saying: “In our heads, he was [always] able to wield it.”
As Anthony explains, it all goes back to that moment in Age of Ultron, with the director stating:
“He didn’t know that until that moment in Ultron when he tried to pick it up, but Cap’s sense of character and his sort of humility and sort of out of deference to Thor’s ego, Cap in that moment realizing he can move the hammer, decides not to.”
Interesting, and though it was a shame we had to wait so long to see Steve finally pick up that damn weapon, we’re happy that the Russos made it happen in Avengers: Endgame. As we mentioned above, it was a truly great moment and one of the film’s many, many highlights. One that we can’t wait to watch over and over again once the pic hits home video later this summer.