As a long-time Marvel enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of these characters on the silver screen, I must say that the romantic entanglements within the MCU have always been a fascinating aspect to follow. One such relationship that caught me off guard was the one between Clint Barton, AKA Hawkeye, and his wife Laura, along with their children Cooper and Lila.
For more than fifteen years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has captivated audiences globally with its legendary superheroes, thrilling narratives, and grandiose villains. Each movie in the MCU is brimming with action, humor, and suspense. Yet, beyond the nonstop action that these heroes experience, ardent fans of this franchise appreciate taking a pause from their battles to save the world, and they delight in watching these iconic figures find love and respite.
As a devoted Marvel Cinematic Universe fan, I must admit that the enduring love stories of Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Peggy Carter, as well as Tony Stark’s heartwarming moments with Pepper Potts, left many of us in tears. However, it’s no secret that not every romance within this cinematic juggernaut has struck a chord with viewers. In fact, some of these relationships have been so underwhelming that they might as well be consigned to the annals of forgetfulness and will never rival the charm and emotional impact of those beloved pairings.
Here are 10 MCU romances we can’t even pretend to care about.
10 Natasha Romanoff & Bruce Banner
In the unfolding narrative of Avengers: Age of Ultron, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the unforeseen romance between Natasha and Bruce. This sudden development left many fans, including me, somewhat taken aback, as it seemed to emerge unexpectedly – a bolt from the blue, if you will. As the story unfolded, our beloved characters started exchanging meaningful glances and playful banter that hinted at something more. What truly intrigued me was Natasha’s unique talent for soothing Bruce’s alter ego, the Hulk, and helping him manage his destructive anger.
A Wasted Potential Romance
Although Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo shared a captivating chemistry and natural rapport, the writers missed the chance to fully develop their blossoming relationship by not delving deeper into their evolving emotions towards each other.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the bond between Natasha and Bruce, hinted at in films like “Age of Ultron” and “Thor: Ragnarok,” never fully developed and was largely set aside post-events. However, Natasha made a brief appearance in “Ragnarok” to aid in Hulk’s transformation back to Bruce Banner. The potential for a rich romantic storyline between these characters was not fully realized, but the MCU attempted to address this oversight later on. In 2019, co-writer Stephen McFeely acknowledged this missed opportunity.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can tell you that in Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” we crafted and filmed scenes where characters would discuss their past conflicts, like “You’ve been away, I’ve moved on” types of discussions. It became evident that if a scene didn’t contribute significantly to the main storyline, it simply couldn’t survive in “Infinity War.” The narrative had to stay on track and reach its conclusion, leaving no room for tying up loose ends just because we wanted to.
9 Steve Rogers & Sharon Carter
It’s widely acknowledged that the romantic relationship between Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Sharon Carter, which was briefly explored in the movies “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Civil War”, was one of the most unexpected pairs among Marvel Cinematic Universe fans. They didn’t seem to warm up to it easily.
Despite having limited one-on-one interactions that highlighted their deep emotional connection, it was clear to the audience that Captain America’s one unchanging love would forever be Peggy Carter, who coincidentally is Sharon’s aunt.
Familial Ties Make for an Awkward Dalliance
Apart from the unusual situation involving Steve’s affection for his aunt, Sharon paled in comparison to Peggy, who had an extraordinary romance with the celebrated figure. The connection between Chris Evans and Emily Van Camp, unfortunately, seemed weak and uninteresting.
In the series Civil War, the pair exchanged a kiss that didn’t exactly set hearts ablaze. It lacked romance, leaving viewers feeling dismayed as if Steve had let down Peggy, who also happens to be Sharon’s family member. This brief romantic interlude soon ended and left fans yearning for the day when Cap would rekindle his relationship with Peggy in another reality, ultimately giving them a satisfying conclusion.
8 Bucky Barnes & Sarah Wilson
In “Avengers: Endgame,” Steve Rogers’ surprising decision to travel to an alternate timeline and live with Peggy Carter in 1949 left both fans and Bucky Barnes in a state of shock, as he established a fresh life and heritage for himself. Notably, Rogers handed over his mantle and shield to his successor Sam Wilson, paving the way for the events depicted in the miniseries “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Later, Bucky and Wilson team up to combat a harmful faction of anti-patriots who aim to restore society to its pre-Blip state.
Bucky Embraces His Flirtatious Side
In the story, Bucky grapples with the absence of Rogers and dealing with his violent past, which he addresses by teaming up with Wilson to combat the Flag Smashers. Along their journey, Bucky encounters Sarah, Sam’s sibling who manages a fishing company in Louisiana. The pair share a playful romantic exchange during the series.
Spectators found themselves surprised when Bucky showed signs of romantic feelings towards Sarah, given his past lack of interest in romance. Although some spectators were curious about this potential couple, the development wasn’t further explored, leaving others puzzled as to its purpose in the storyline.
7 Thor & Jane Foster
One MCU romance that started off with a sizzling bang but ultimately lost steam was between the hammer-wielding Asgardian Thor and brilliant astrophysicist Jane Foster, whose epic love affair began in 2011’s Thor and took its final bow in Love and Thunder. Their relationship began in a wholesome fashion, with Jane helping Thor acclimate to life on Earth and teaching him the dos and don’ts of human etiquette, while also helping him get in touch with his compassionate and selfless side.
Some Love Stories Simply Fade Away
Through their charming and lovable relationship, Thor’s innate goodness was fully realized, allowing him to regain worthiness of wielding Mjölnir again – a key factor in his personal development and evolution as a superhero.
In Ragnarok, it became known that they had parted ways, and neither Thor nor fans appeared overly upset by this revelation. As The Dark World approached, there was a noticeable decline in the enchantment between them, which contributed to the disappointing tone of the film and dampened their previously endearing relationship.
6 Okoye & W’Kabi
When a couple disagrees deeply over a significant power dispute that could change the world, it often signals trouble for their relationship’s durability. For instance, in the critically acclaimed film Black Panther, T’Challa’s valiant and loyal bodyguard Okoye is a highly respected warrior from Wakanda who is married to T’Challa’s close friend and leader of the Border Tribe, W’Kabi.
When Killmonger contests T’Challa for the kingship, the balance of power between the influential pair noticeably changes, and they find themselves on opposite sides regarding the risky uprising.
A Major Clash of Loyalties
Okoye unwaveringly prioritized her deep devotion to her nation and its ruler, T’Challa, over both her matrimonial bond and personal safety, even going as far as being prepared to lay down her life for the cause. This was evident when she daringly confronted her spouse during a fiery skirmish.
In a clear demonstration, Okoye showed that her devotion to Wakanda was greater than her feelings for W’Kabi, ultimately leading him to yield and concede, as he didn’t wish to harm his wife or lose his life at her hands. Throughout the movie, the couple grappled with tension and disagreements, but it was Okoye’s unwavering loyalty to her nation that left fans in awe, rather than her romantic relationship.
5 Stephen Strange & Christine Palmer
In the world of medicine, Dr. Stephen Strange and Dr. Christine Palmer are top-tier professionals whose relationship captivated viewers in the movie “Doctor Strange.” However, by the start of the film, their romance had already ended. Though it was evident that they harbored strong feelings for each other and their connection was unique, the story didn’t delve too deeply into their relationship. Dr. Strange’s excessive pride and self-centeredness often clouded his true emotions towards others, especially when it came to Palmer.
Lackluster Character Development
In the initial movie, Strange chose to sacrificially leave Christine behind to secure the safety of the New York Sanctum. This action seemed to close the door on any future for their relationship.
In the first movie, Doctor Strange barely explored Stephen and Christine’s past relationship beyond her aiding him in healing his severe wounds, which ultimately led to her rejection (aside from this brief encounter). However, its subsequent film dived deeper into his emotional connection with her, as he encountered an alternate version of Christine during his journey through the multiverse. Despite this, their romantic chemistry was not particularly strong and it appeared that another chance for a meaningful romance in the MCU had been missed.
4 Sersi & Ikaris
As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that I found “Eternals” to be a less-than-satisfying addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite boasting an impressive ensemble cast. The storyline, while ambitious, seemed to confuse more than captivate viewers, and the characters’ inconsistent development left many of us feeling disconnected.
In the spotlight of their romantic connection, it’s Sersi and Ikaris who were involved, but their relationship ended before the story unfolds in the movie – Sersi had already moved on to date a human history professor named Dane Whitman by that time.
A Romance That is Dead and Gone
As a devoted fan, I’ve been captivated by the timeless love saga of Sersi and Ikaris that stretched across centuries. Sadly, we, as spectators, missed out on experiencing their passionate romance unfold in real-time, as it had already taken place eons ago. It was Ikaris who chose to leave Sersi and their bond, leading them to confront each other eventually, with Ikaris defending humanity against the Deviants while Sersi seemed to be on a different path.
The chemistry between Gemma Chan and Richard Madden also felt a bit flat, and their romance may have been a sight to behold had it actually played out in real time and not simply just a memory.
3 Peter Parker & Liz
Just as Steve Rogers’ relationship with Sharon Carter echoed it, the tender and naive romance between Peter Parker and Liz in Spider-Man: Homecoming seemed doomed from the start because devoted fans were well aware that it was only a matter of time before his classic love interest Mary Jane (MJ) entered the scene.
In his initial solo adventure as Spiderman, the young Peter Parker yearns for Liz, all while dealing with his burgeoning superpowers alongside the joys and challenges of teenage life at high school. The movie tracks this superhero’s efforts to balance his extraordinary abilities with everyday adolescent struggles.
Liz Doesn’t Stand a Chance Against MJ
It came as a shock when it was discovered that the treacherous villain Vulture is actually Liz’s father, Adrian Toomes. This revelation significantly complicated Peter’s growing relationship with her, making it difficult for their romance to recover and ultimately dooming its chances of survival.
It might be because Tom Holland and Zendaya are a couple off-screen, that fans weren’t as upset about Peter Parker and MJ’s brief relationship ending in the movies. Instead, they seemed excited because it opened up the possibility for more development of Peter’s relationship with MJ in future films. This breakup paved the way for the popular pairing of these characters, bringing joy to many fans who eagerly anticipate their dynamic in upcoming movies.
2 Hawkeye & Laura Barton
In an unexpected twist for moviegoers, the romantic surprise in “Avengers: Age of Ulton” was unveiled as Clint Barton, also known as the expert marksman Hawkeye, was discovered to have a hidden family consisting of his wife Laura and their children Cooper and Lila.
Apart from being deeply devoted to his family and expecting their third addition, the Bartons managed to maintain a low profile, keeping their existence hidden from the rest of the Avengers. The only exception was Black Widow, who knew about Clint’s family.
Hawkeye’s Secret Life
On their secluded countryside homestead, Clint and Laura reside peacefully, leading a serene and uncomplicated existence far from urban chaos, away from the scrutiny of nosy townsfolk and inquisitive strangers.
Fans found it hard to become deeply involved in their sweet relationship since it was only briefly shown and appeared suddenly, right after Laura and her family were introduced. Tragically, they both fell victim to the Blip event. Clint’s devastating loss pushed him towards the darker side as Ronin, providing his character with a more intriguing and layered narrative than he had before.
1 Bruce Banner & Betty Ross
As a Marvel enthusiast, I’m often recognized for my role as the Hulk, both the enraged green behemoth and the intelligent psychiatrist Bruce Banner. However, it’s important to note that Edward Norton brilliantly brought the superhuman Hulk to life in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk.”
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s second installment, a brilliant scientist finds himself in hiding from the government after being subjected to gamma radiation, which grants him the power to morph into the Hulk when he gets upset or angry. The military aims to exploit Banner for their sinister plans.
An Often Forgotten Film & Romance
In the less noticed film, following many years apart and living incognito in Rio de Janeiro, Bruce eventually goes back to Virginia and reconnects with his old flame Betty Ross. Over time, Betty joins Bruce as they elude authorities, ultimately becoming wanted fugitives together.
1. The couple’s romance was quite ordinary, and it was unfortunate that the plot and tempo of the superhero movie didn’t provide opportunities for deeper exploration or passionate scenes between them. Despite their lackluster connection, the fact that Ruffalo replaced Banner and Betty Ross was no longer portrayed as a love interest further contributed to a shallow and uninspiring romantic dynamic.
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2024-08-06 04:32