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

Was he always worthy? Or did something change after Age of Ultron?

Avengers Endgame Captain America Mjolnir
Marvel Studios

Of all the moments that managed to blow fans' minds in Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers lifting Mjolnir has to be the best. Although teased in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America finally became worthy enough to wield the hammer and used it to battle Thanos and his hordes.

Hammer in hand, Cap leads the Avengers into battle and lays waste to dozens of outriders. Even Thor himself can't help but appreciate the moment, even briefly swapping hammers with the God of Thunder, who's in possession of Stormbreaker following Infinity War.

To say it was a spectacle would be putting things lightly, but the moment did raise a few questions. Namely, how was Steve finally able to wield the weapon after being unable to in Age of Ultron, could he always have wielded but simply chose not to, or was the enchantment on the hammer lifted given the threat Thor and his allies faced?

Numerous theories have emerged in the two weeks following Endgame's release, but it's worth taking a more detailed look at the build-up to the moment, the history behind it in the comics, and how it all came together on screen in Steve's last appearance as Captain America.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.