10 Times Marvel Movies Went Completely Against the Comic Book Canon

1. Iron Man (2008): The Origin Story

Iron Man kicked off the MCU, but right off the bat, it strayed from the original comics. In the film, Tony Stark is captured by the Ten Rings in Afghanistan, leading to the creation of his first Iron Man suit. However, in the comics, our genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist was kidnapped in Vietnam. But, hey, updating the setting kept the story relevant and allowed Robert Downey Jr. to deliver a performance so good we forgave this divergence quicker than you can say 'I am Iron Man.'

2. The Incredible Hulk (2008): Bruce Banner's Alter Ego

The Incredible Hulk followed on Iron Man's heels, but with less metallic clanking. The film depicts Bruce Banner's transformation into the Hulk as a result of a gamma radiation experiment gone wrong. Comic book aficionados will note the discrepancy here. In the comics, Banner morphs into the big green rage monster after selflessly saving teenager Rick Jones from a gamma bomb explosion. The movie version may lack some of Banner's initial heroism, but it makes up for it in exciting chase sequences and Ed Norton's angsty performance.

3. Thor (2011): God of...Ireland?

When we think of Thor, we think of Chris Hemsworth 's perfect abs – I mean, Australian accent. But in the original Marvel comics, Thor spoke in Shakespearean English. In a move that had purists shaking their fists at the sky, the MCU version of Thor had a decidedly Australian twang. A surprising choice, given Asgard isn't exactly down under, but let's be real, could anyone else have brought such charming swagger to the God of Thunder?

4. The Avengers (2012): The Original Lineup

In 2012, The Avengers brought together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. It was a cinematic event that had fans lining up around the block. However, comic book fans will know that the original Avengers lineup was a bit different. Ant-Man and The Wasp were founding members, with Black Widow and Hawkeye nowhere to be seen. Apparently, the MCU thought a guy with a bow was a better fit for their team than a man who talks to ants. Go figure.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 (2017): Who's Star-Lord's Daddy?

Star-Lord, aka Peter Quill, stole our hearts in Guardians of the Galaxy. Part of his charm was the mystery surrounding his parentage. In the sequel, we learn his father is Ego, the Living Planet, played by Kurt Russell. However, in the comics, Quill's father is J'son, the Emperor of Spartax. But let's face it, Kurt Russell as a sentient planet is more entertaining than any emperor could ever be.

6. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): Ultron's Real Dad

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner created Ultron, the genocidal robot with a dry sense of humor. However, in the comics, it's Hank Pym (Ant-Man) who unintentionally unleashed this cybernetic nightmare onto the world. But I guess having Tony create yet another problem for the Avengers to solve fit the narrative arc better. After all, what's a little apocalyptic robot uprising between friends?

7. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): MJ, but Not Really

Spider-Man: Homecoming introduced us to Michelle Jones, a socially awkward but lovable character played by Zendaya. The twist? She casually mentions she prefers to be called MJ, echoing Peter Parker's iconic love interest Mary Jane Watson from the comics. It's a neat trick to avoid the comparisons with previous cinematic Mary Janes, but it had some comic purists crying into their Spidey-themed pillows.

8. Black Panther (2018): Killmonger's Makeover

Black Panther gifted us with one of the MCU's best villains – Erik Killmonger. Michael B. Jordan's performance was a standout, but the character was a far cry from the comic book version. The comics' Killmonger is a strategist with a PhD from MIT, while the film portrays him as a highly trained black-ops soldier. Both versions are compelling in their own right, but it's safe to say Jordan's iteration brought a depth and charisma that helped the film claw its way to the top of the MCU.

9. Captain Marvel (2019): The Skrull Twist

In Captain Marvel, the Skrulls are refugees fleeing the oppressive Kree. This was a significant departure from the comics, where the Skrulls are typically villainous shapeshifters who often pose a major threat to Earth. The MCU version of the Skrulls is more nuanced and complex, proving once again that in the Marvel universe, there's more than meets the eye.

10. Avengers: Endgame (2019): The Time Heist

Avengers: Endgame saw our heroes embark on a 'time heist' to gather the infinity stones and undo Thanos' snap. This storyline is a far cry from the 'Infinity Gauntlet' comic series it's loosely based on. In the comics, Nebula is the one to ultimately defeat Thanos and reverse the snap. But the film gave this honor to Iron Man, providing a poignant end to Tony Stark's journey.