(05-01-2019 12:10 AM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote: What was so special about Cap that he couldn't lift the hammer in Ultron yet could this time around?
I'd like to address this one.
In AoU, when Cap tries to lift the hammer, it moves a little as if he is about to lift it, but then doesn't. At this point, Thor gives a nervous smile at Cap, like "oh crap, he's going to lift it and prove me wrong." I do not believe anyone in the room other than Thor noticed the hammer's movement.
This has been debated on message boards for years - long before Endgame. The theories I've read include:
- Cap was worthy, but he didn't think he was, and the hammer requires the person to believe it
- Cap realized he was about to lift it but stopped as he didn't want to upstage Thor
- Cap was trying too hard, and rather than putting in so much muscle, he could have effortlessly lifted it if he was more casual about it
Joss Weadon addressed this once. He was asked why couldn't Cap lift the hammer and his response was (with a smirk) something to the effect of "Couldn't he?"
Personally, I like the theory of Cap not wanting to upstage his teammate. It's in line with his character, and why he, rather than Stark or Thor, is the leader of the Avengers.