19 Dynamic Duos From The MCU Who Are Actually Friends In Real-Life
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a way of turning coworkers into BFF's, apparently!
In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe kicked off "Phase One" with Iron Man, starring Robert Downey, Jr. It was Marvel Studios' first self-financed film, and for the following four years another four films featuring other Marvel superheroes prepared us for 2012's Marvel's The Avengers.
Phase Three didn't conclude until 2019, with Spiderman: Far From Home. Today, owned by Disney, Marvel is showering fans (new and old) with incredible moves and TV series as a part of Phase Four.
Do you think we ever get enough of the characters, heroes, and stories that Marvel has been creating for so long being turned into feature-length films, sensational miniseries, and TV shows? I think not.
With this much action-packed, emotional rollercoaster content, it's hard to imagine that there wouldn't be unforgettable friendships forged among actors along the way. And we don't mean just Bucky and Cap.
It's almost incomprehensible how many talented hands and faces have taken part in what the MCU has been since 2008, but some stories supersede others and those fascinating fables of celebrity reality are what we're focused on today. Some of the MCU's films turned coworkers into BFFs, and if that isn't something entirely fascinating to gush over, then what the heck is?
Let's just dive right in.
1. Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson
This duo hit it off so well filming Thor: Ragnarok, that they went on to collaborate on MIB: International. They've also made it clear they're open to future collaborations together!
Albert L. Ortega / Getty ImagesTessa told Refinery 29:
"I sort of love that iconic Hollywood thing of pairing two actors over the course of their career, and they get to do all sorts of things together. I think of it like that with Chris and me. I hope that we get to make many more things together."
jobloIn an interview with Build, the duo also confessed that multiple kissing scenes were cut from Thor: Ragnarok...
...and that the pair Dr. Gary Chapman, marriage counselor, emphasizes that "the little moments of affection can strengthen relationships," suggesting that their on-screen chemistry might reflect genuine friendship. This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist, who states, "Intimacy is built through shared experiences and playful interactions," highlighting how their playful sneaking of kisses could enhance their bond both on and off the screen!
Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images
2. Robert Downey, Jr and Gweneth Paltrow
Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images
In an interview with People, Paltrow confessed that after playing Pepper Potts in seven MCU films, she found a "lifelong friend" in Robert Downey, Jr.
She said:
"My relationship with Robert Downey Jr., which was obviously forged through all the Iron Man and Avengers movies. I feel like I was able to find an incredible, lifelong, inspirational partner and friend."
tenor
Plus who could forget this very public interaction shared on Instagram about Paltrow's "very specifically scented" candles... It's too adorable.
3. Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson
Pinterest
This duo of MCU superheroes have been friends and colleagues since long before the MCU but there's no denying their friendship was strengthened from working on so many films over so many years together.
When Evans and Johansson participated in Variety's Actor on Actor interview, Scarlette shrieked with joy upon seeing her pal Chris.
Pinterest
Scarlett has even said that her and Chris are such good friends that she knows him "too well."
mensxp
4. Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney
Both of these star-studded dudes started out playing supportive roles in Captain America movies, but they went on to costar in their very own series on Disney+
imgur
A good deal of credit to the existence and success of their series can be attributed to their absolutely adorable friendship.
After all, based on insights from Dr. Helen Fisher, biological anthropologist, "Friendships often thrive on the balance of personality traits, where extroverts and introverts complement each other." This dynamic can be seen in the way these actors interact, filled with admiration and playful teasing, showcasing their mutual affection. As Dr. William Doherty, family therapist, notes, "The best friendships often reflect a deep understanding and appreciation of each other's differences."
popsugar
5. Robert Downey, Jr. and Tom Holland
Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images
There are some undeniable parallels between the real-life actors and their superhero counterparts, especially when it comes to their relationship.
squarespace
Robert Downey, Jr adores Tom Holland so much that he cast him as a voice actor in his film Dolittle. And Tom Holland has confessed with not a speck of shame to be found that he shamelessly stole RDJ's sense of fashion and style!
Tom Holland / Instagram
6. Richard Madden and Gemma Chan
Ten years before filming Eternals together as Ikarus and Sersi, Madden and Chan met each other.
EW
The pair has said that being friends that long helped them play their roles in Eternals.
In an interview with FanSided, they joined their costar Kit Harrington to endearingly gush over fond memories of filming scenes outside of a pub in Camden where they'd all hung out years ago.
OpenTapes
7. Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke
Handout / Photo by Netflix via Getty Image
In an interview for Showtime's Desus & Mero, the pair talked about their days at Yale School of Drama.
You can explore more about their friendship through insights from Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, who states, "Friendship is a crucial foundation for any relationship, as it fosters trust and understanding." Additionally, Dr. Michael Thompson, a child psychologist, emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships, noting, "Having friends who guide and support you can significantly impact your growth and confidence." These perspectives highlight the value of camaraderie, just like the campus tour Lupita gave Winston before his acceptance.
MarvelHeroes
The pair also went on to star as a married couple in Jordan Peele's Us and they credit their excellent chemistry with their pre-existing bond as good friends.
Capital News
8. Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh
These gorgeous gals met when they played sisters in the Black Widow feature-length film.
eonline
There's also a well-documented list of examples how these two spent the entire press tour singing each other's praises!
hollywoodreporter
9. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany
Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images
It would be hard to argue that as Vision and Wanda, these two aren't the MCU's most romantic couple.
Tumblr
But their real-life friendship has quite the endearing track-record that's well-documented.
gfycat
10. Jon Favreau and Robert Downey, Jr.
heyuguys
Jon Favreau worked hard to convince Marvel executives to cast Robert Downey, Jr as Iron Man.
SuperHeroHype
They've also joked that they're the presidents of each other's fan clubs
In an interview, Jon told Forbes:
"To see somebody that has talent and to see somebody that has potential — and it just takes a moment sometimes to show other people, but it really makes you happy when now the world understands the things that I saw in him and that he saw in me too."
reelchicago
They've also worked on a variety of non-MCU projects together and RDJ has said that his relationship with Jon is akin to brothers.
Pinterest
11. Sophie Turner and Alexandra Shipp
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
These two became incredibly good friends while filming X-Men: Apocalypse.
So much so, that they ended up moving in together to live as roommates while the film was shooting.
Tumblr
When Sophia married Joe Jonas, Alexandra was even a bridesmaid!
tumblr
12. Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth
Twitter
This Chris combo became insanely good friends during their time working together on MCU films.
So much so, that in an interview with Variety, Hemsworth said that he and his fellow Chris would often have to be separated on press tours because they spent too much time goofing off with each other and, "not getting sh*it done."
Tenor
They both have confessed in a variety of interviews to sharing a brotherly bond and in that same Variety interview, Hemsworth also pitched a film idea for the duo to costar in:
“I would love to do one of those ’80s buddy comedies, where we could shed the characters we are known for.”
Getty Images
13. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart
Ian McKellen / Instagram
Nobody could deny these two nailed their roles as X-Men's Magneto and Professor X in a string of X-Men movies, but did you know they met years before filming their first X-Men movie?
They did grow significantly closer while filming the four main movies, though.
Tumblr
Not only that, but in 2019 when Patrick married Sunny Ozell, Sir Ian officiated for them!
David M. Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images
Sir Ian actually became a minister specifically TO officiate the wedding, and both men have been knighted.
BoredPanda
14. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender
meredithcorp
Speaking of Magneto and the Professor, the very same roles were filled by McAvoy and Fassbender also fostered quite the incredible friendship.
Samir Hussein / Getty Images
At times, this duo has even been dubbed "The New Stewart and McKellen."
gifer
Quite frankly, they're not remotely shy about showing their affection for each other.
We love to see it.
fanpop
16. James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain
Anthony Harvey / FilmMagic / Getty Images
James and Jessica had worked together prior to Jessica's role as Vuk in X-Men: Dark Phoenix
newsweek
In the three-part film The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, the pair played a married couple.
Jessica has also gone on record praising James for championing gender pay equality before it was "the cool thing to do." Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, emphasizes that "true partnership is built on mutual respect and equality, which includes fair compensation." After their fifth film together (It: Chapter 2), James jokingly turned to Twitter to say, "She's really difficult to work with. I'm probably the only guy in the industry willing to do it." This light-hearted banter reflects the camaraderie they share, which is often noted by experts like Dr. Ian Kerner, who states, "Healthy relationships thrive on humor and mutual support, enhancing both personal and professional collaborations."
zenfs
17. Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston
lovelace
Playing brothers with a tumultuous relationship in the MCU translated to quite the real-life bromance and these dudes are the best brothers in the MCU and a dynamic duo of cool in real-life.
Tenor
Both of their characters are still kicking it off in the MCU (Loki Season 2, and Thor: Love and Thunder,) but for now it seems unlikely we'll see both actors on the same set any time soon in those roles.
popsugar
18. Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland
Pinterest
After sharing so many scenes in Avengers: Infinity War, these two were paired together on the press tour, clearly displaying an undeniable bond that had formed.
wionews
While Benedict may have originally been tasked with preventing Tom from spilling spoilers on the Infinity War press tour, they have worked together and remained friends.
whicdn
19. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
After co-starring in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a Faux Feud became prominent and hilarious as the two made appearances.
Tumblr
And of course in Ryan's true fashion, there's plenty of Wolverine mentions in the Deadpool movies. These hysterical, talented, and handsome dudes have been friends for over ten years now.
tenor
If you're currently finding yourself wondering how you can become the trio to some of these duos, I won't blame you. The MCU has gifted us an abundance of quality entertainment, but it also gifted some lifelong friendships to so many of the actors that made these movies a reality.
