Avengers: Endgame - Why Captain America Was Able To Lift Thor's Hammer

1. ...Or Was He Always Worthy?

There's a much simpler theory to roll with though, and that's just that Steve Rogers has always been worthy. He was the kid from Brooklyn with a heart of gold who went to war because he couldn't stand bullies. He was selfless, well-intentioned, and a model patriot willing to fight tyranny no matter its source. Of course he'd be worthy enough to wield Mjolnir.

In fact, Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo even went so far as to pose the question that maybe the reason why Steve didn't lift Thor's Hammer in Age of Ultron was because "he didn't want to hurt Thor's feelings," before going onto say that Thor is "very sensitive."

In a way, that exact gesture actually exemplifies Steve's own worthiness. Instead of wielding the hammer then and there, he understands how much worthiness defines Thor's entire being. To lift it in a ridiculous drinking contest would've almost been humiliating, so instead he opts to leave it be. That explains why it nudges for just a second, because if he wasn't worthy, it wouldn't have budged at all.

Ultimately, Rogers preferred to have his strongest teammate at his peak. Mjolnir - at that point - wasn't his to wield - and it's a decision that ultimately pays off come Endgame, with Thor having grown as a character and even subtly confirming Steve's gesture by proclaiming he always knew Cap was worthy to wield it.

It's a great moment, and one that confirms Russo's earlier question. Steve was always worthy because that's who he is deep down. He may not have always made the right decision over the years, but there's no denying that Captain America is beholden to all the values Mjolnir represents.

It might not be the most elaborate theory, but Steve Rogers is able to wield Thor's hammer simply because he's worthy enough to do so. Just as he was in the comics, the MCU's Steve has mountains worth of history to prove that is the case, so even if the moment did manage to blindside everyone during their first watch, perhaps we should've expected it to happen all along.