As we're nearing the release date for Ant-Man, the new Marvel movie starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Corey Stoll, we thought we'd run down a few of the finest comedic moments in Marvel history.
Ant-Man tells the story of Scott Lang (Rudd), a down-on-his-luck cat burglar who's given a shot at redemption when he inadvertently steals the super-powered suit of Ant-Man. The original Ant-Man, Hank Pym (Douglas), decides to put him to use and hires him to lead a heist on a deranged former protege's (Stoll) copy of the suit.
Ant-Man is released in Irish cinemas on July 17th.
5. THOR - "This drink, I like it! ANOTHER!"
And Thor literally smashes the cup. There were plenty of comedic moments in Thor, more than we were expecting from what was essentially a Shakespearean tragedy dressed up as a Marvel movie. After all, the film was directed by Kenneth Branagh. This scene, however, showed just how out-of-step Thor was reality. And honestly, who amongst us didn't want to be able to do this? You could only get away with it if you looked like Chris Hemsworth, though.
4. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER - "I wish. Specimen!"
Again, what's so great about the comedic moments in Marvel movies is that they're in the midst of quite serious drama. Thor, as we said, was Shakespeare. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was '70s conspiracy thriller with superheroes. This scene, in the middle of an incredibly tense sequence that sees Cap (Chris Evans) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) hacking in the middle of an Apple store, is punctuated by a sales rep. He really is a specimen, in fairness.
3. IRON MAN 3 - "We're connected."
Robert Downey Jr.'s comedic timing and dry, sarcastic humour is perfectly suited to Tony Stark / Iron Man. Taking on the scripting and directing duties in Iron Man 3, Shane Black put Downey Jr.'s talents to further use. None more evident, we think, that this throwaway scene that's one of the funniest moments in all three Iron Man movies. You feel that? We're done here.
2. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE - "I am a god, you dull creature!"
We distinctly remember seeing this in a packed cinema and, after, twenty minutes of non-stop action, it was a release valve for what had come before. Director Joss Whedon's unique ear for comedy in his writing was evidenced throughout Avengers, but this scene right here is pure slapstick humour at its best.
1. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - Basically every scene with Drax
Without a shadow of a doubt, Guardians of the Galaxy is the funniest Marvel movie - to date. There's so many scenes that are hilarious and instantly quotable, none more so than those with Drax The Destroyer. His species are completely literal, meaning they have no understanding of metaphors. Dave Bautista's deadpan delivery of lines such as "I AM. NOT. A PRINCESS." and "Nothing goes over my head, my reflexes are too quick and I would catch it," would sound ridiculous said by anyone else.