The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a worldwide phenomenon with a vast collection of superheroes, and the Avengers are the most prominent team among them. These superheroes are a team of extraordinary beings who unite to protect the world against catastrophic events. They have become household names, and fans have been captivated by their stories and abilities. However, with so many characters in the MCU, it can be challenging to keep track of who’s who and who is the oldest Avenger.
When we talk about the oldest Avenger, we need to specify if we are referring to their age in real life or in the MCU timeline. Let’s explore both of these options.
In real life, the oldest Avenger is the actor who portrays the character. Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man, is the oldest Avenger actor, born on April 4, 1965. He was 43 years old when the first Avengers movie was released in 2012. Following him is Chris Evans, who played Steve Rogers/Captain America, born on June 13, 1981, making him 31 when he first donned the Captain America costume in 2011.
However, when it comes to the oldest Avenger character in the MCU timeline, the answer is a bit more complicated. The Avengers have different lifespans, so age can be subjective based on how you look at it. Here are some of the oldest Avengers in the MCU:
- Thor: Thor, the God of Thunder, is one of the oldest Avengers in the MCU. He is estimated to be over 1500 years old, according to Marvel lore. As an Asgardian, Thor’s lifespan is much longer than that of a regular human.
- Hulk: Bruce Banner/Hulk is another one of the oldest Avengers. In the comics, he was born in 1969, which makes him older than Tony Stark and Steve Rogers in terms of the character’s age. In the MCU, it’s unclear how old he is, but we do know that he was experimented on with gamma radiation, which resulted in him becoming the Hulk.
- Captain America: Steve Rogers was born in 1918 and was frozen in ice for nearly 70 years, which makes him biologically younger than Thor and Hulk. However, he still qualifies as one of the oldest Avengers due to his chronological age.
- Ant-Man: Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man, was born in 1920 and is still alive in the MCU. He is portrayed by Michael Douglas and is one of the founding members of the Avengers in the comics.
- Black Widow: Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow is a bit of a mystery when it comes to her age. However, it’s safe to assume that she’s been active as a spy for many years, making her one of the oldest Avengers.
In conclusion, the oldest Avenger can be viewed from different angles. In real life, Robert Downey Jr. is the oldest actor to play an Avenger. However, in the MCU timeline, it’s a bit more complex. Thor and Hulk are two of the oldest Avengers due to their long lifespans, while Captain America, Ant-Man, and Black Widow are some of the oldest in terms of their chronological ages. Regardless of their ages, these superheroes have captivated audiences worldwide, and we look forward to seeing their stories continue to unfold in the MCU.