Long-take scenes have been used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to detail some of the most action-packed, intense and entertaining moments in the franchise. In filmmaking, a long take is a shot with a duration much longer than a conventional editing set, usually either filmed in one take, or made to look like there are no cuts. Notable movies such as Birdman, 1917 And these John Wick franchise, among many others, have used this technique, and there are many examples of this filming style in the MCU as well.
The king of long-take scenes in the MCU is Matt Murdock’s Daredevil, especially after Netflix’s The Defenders saga was confirmed to be canon to the MCU. however, Several other heroes also took part in the brilliant scenes, including the likes of T’Challa’s Black Panther, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Loki. Long takes capture every nuance of the action on screen, and detail the fantastic moments in real-time, allowing audiences to appreciate every second. These long-take scenes have contributed to some of the MCU’s most memorable and beloved moments.
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10
Clint Barton and Kate Bishop are being chased by the Tracksuit Mafia
Hawkeye Episode 3, “Echoes” (2021)
The dynamic between Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton and Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop was great to see develop in HawkeyeAnd this moment in episode 3, “Echoes,” puts it on display more than most. After escaping Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez and the Tracksuit Mafia, Barton, with his hearing aid lost, and Bishop acquire a vehicle and a high-speed chase ensues. The camera pans around in the car, showing the audience Barton driving, Bishop working out which trick arrows to shoot, and the Tracksuit Mafia catching up from behind.
This was a very smart choice by Marvel Studios, as the long shot captured the desperation, quick-thinking and intensity of the chase. The scene was also full of comedy, as Kate Bishop struggled to communicate with a Clint Barton who couldn’t hear her. Hawkeye Episode 3 delivered the first real moment of partnership between Clint Barton and his new protégé This long-running car chase highlights the new bond between them, and the tactical thinking of both the old and new Hawkeye.
9
Loki and Sylvie try to escape from Lamentis-1
Loki Season 1, Episode 3, “Lamentis” (2021)
The Loki Series on Disney + was one of the most popular installments in the MCU’s Phase 4, with huge praise for the budding friendship between Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and Sofia di Martino’s Silvie, the god of mischief’s own variant. When all hope was lost in Loki Season 1, Episode 3 As Lamentis-1 was moments away from being destroyed, Loki and Sylvie team up to try to save the Ark and take humans off the moon. Arriving at the boarding station, Loki and Sylvie fight their way through the crowds in an incredibly long take, but are ultimately unsuccessful..
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The whole city on Lamentis-1 in Loki Season 1, Episode 3 was built as a physical set, allowing Hiddleston and Martino to fully inhabit and react to every obstacle on their journey to the Ark. This tracking shot is high-octane and full of energy, which makes the disappointment when the Ark is destroyed by meteors even more prevalent. The entire episode developed the bond between Loki and Sylvie, but the final scene showed that both also have the potential to be formidable heroes.As they sought to save at least some residents of Lamentis-1.
8
Matt Murdock’s 11-minute escape from prison
Daredevil Season 3, Episode 4, “Blindsided” (2018)
Netflix Daredevil Series became famous for its use of long names, especially in fantastic battle scenes between Charlie Cox’s titular man without fear and a variety of soldiers and guns. Daredevil Season 3, episode 4, “Blindsided,” included the longest one-take scene in the entire series, with Matt Murdock’s escape from the prison housing Jasper Evans clocking in at a whopping 11 minutes. Murdock, with the help of some members of the Albanian gang, fights Kingpin’s guards in the prison and eventually makes it out.
This is a true show of Kingpin’s power and influence.
The 11-minute-long scene is gruesome, powerful and shocking from start to finish, providing only a few moments to breathe and recover before more soldiers attack. Although perhaps not yet considered as iconic as Daredevil Season 1’s hallway fight, season 3’s prison escape is far superior than Daredevil Season 2’s Stairwell Battle against the Dogs of Hell. It’s a true display of Kingpin’s power and influence, which is something that will surely be put center-stage again in the upcoming Marvel Television Daredevil: Born Again Series.
7
T’Challa, Okoye and Nakia fight Klaue’s men in South Korea
Black Panther (2018)
After becoming king of Wakanda and once again impersonating the Black Panther, the late Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa traveled with Danai Gurira’s Okoye and Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia in Black Panther To capture Ulysses Klaue in South Korea. It is not long before a huge fight breaks out in the South Korean casino, however, and While there are several cuts during this battle scene, there is one moment where the camera jumps from the ground to the balcony to emphasize Okoye’s skillsBefore she jumps down to the ground and continues the fight.
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This moment highlighted the athleticism and sheer brutality and elegance of Okoye and Wakanda’s Dora Milaje. Okoye doesn’t hesitate to join the fight on the ground by simply launching herself, and the camera, off the balcony once she dispatches her own enemies. Smooth camera work underlines the grace of the moment, especially with Okoye’s striking red dress flowing behind her. This is a very memorable moment that cemented 2018’s Black Panther As one of the most successful and popular installments of the MCU.
6
Werewolf by night unleashes his fury on Verussa’s guards
Werewolf by Night (2022)
The first special presentation of Marvel Studios, 2022 Werewolf by nightIntroduced Gael GarcÃa Bernal’s Jack Russell to the MCU, showcasing his power and strength as the eponymous werewolf by night. After being forced to transform into a werewolf at night by Verussa Bloodstone, Russell unleashes his fury on the monster hunters and Verussa’s guards at Bloodstone Manor, though spares Elsa Bloodstone’s life. Werewolf by Night takes on Verussa’s guards in a beautiful and cinematic scene that features the camera barely moving.
Focusing on one room with a closing door at the far end, the scene puts Jack Russell’s animalistic nature on full display, as he jumps in and out of shot and quite literally tears apart Verussa’s guards. A wonderful touch is that more and more blood splatters across the camera lens as the scene plays out, blocking much of the screen, but highlighting just how brutal and unadulterated the scene is.. This is perhaps the most violent MCU project to not have a TV-MA or R rating, and this scene showcases the violence more than many others.
5
Daredevil’s hallway fight at the Troika restaurant
Daredevil Season 1, Episode 2, “Cut Man” (2015)
While Matt Murdock’s 11-minute-long prison escape scene in Daredevil Season 3 is iconic, there isn’t a more memorable long-take scene from Netflix Daredevil Like Murdock’s very first hallway battle. Daredevil Season 1, episode 2, “Cut Man,” saw Murdock track down a young boy kidnapped by the Russian mafia. He tracks the boy to the Troika restaurant, where he fights several members of the Russian gang in a cramped hallway and its two adjacent rooms while the camera captures every moment.Filmed as if one continuous sequence.
The MCU appearance of Daredevil |
Release date |
Original network |
---|---|---|
Daredevil Season 1 |
April 10, 2015 |
Netflix |
Daredevil Season 2 |
March 18, 2016 |
Netflix |
The defenders |
August 18, 2017 |
Netflix |
Daredevil Season 3 |
October 19, 2018 |
Netflix |
Spider-Man: No Way Home |
December 17, 2021 |
|
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Episode 8 and 9 |
6 and 13 October 2022 |
Disney+ |
Echo Episode 1 |
January 9, 2024 |
Disney+ |
Daredevil: Born Again |
March 2025 |
Disney+ |
This was the first example of a long take to highlight Daredevils’ action skills, athleticism, but also real grittiness and groundedness. Murdock and the guns he is fighting all expressed exhaustion during this scene, and no one stayed down from a simple punch. The fight was raw, real and hard-hitting, and very satisfying when Daredevil eventually defeated all the gang members and rescued the boy. There is no doubt that a hallway scene like this will be seen again in Daredevil: Born AgainEspecially after it was called in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
4
The Avengers defend New York together
The Avengers (2012)
It’s easy to forget that Marvel Studios’ first crossover movie also included a long take, but this moment in The Avengers is one of the most iconic scenes in the entire history of the MCU. Soon after the Hulk emerges and takes down a Leviathan and the Avengers band together in the legendary cross team-up moment in 2012 The Avengers, A tracking shot spotlights each member of the new team as they battle Chitauri soldiers in the streets and skies of New York City. This highlights the unique set of skills of each Avengers.
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Black Widow took on Chitauri soldiers to hitch a ride up to the roof of Stark Tower, while Hawkeye stood on a New York roof firing arrows in all directions. Captain America and Iron Man fought together on Earth, with the latter using Cap’s shield to reflect his energy beam, while Thor and the Hulk took down a Leviathan together. This was an epic long-take scene in The AvengersWhich was the first time the Avengers had all worked together towards a common goalAnd cement them as a new permanent fixture in the MCU.
3
Daredevil fights Echo for the first time
Echo Episode 1, “Chafa” (2024)
While Matt Murdock has some incredibly long takes on Netflix, he also took part in one notable one during his cameo appearance in 2024s. EchoThe MCU’s first Marvel Spotlight series. echo s The premiere caught up with Maya Lopez shortly after Thanos snapped his finger while she was working for her father figure, Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin. on a mission Kingpin’s men are attacked by Matt Murdock’s Daredevil, but while the man without fear finds it easy to take down the regular guns, Maya Lopez is more of a challenge.
Both soon realize that the other is impaired, with Maya Lopez being deaf and Matt Murdock being blind. They use this knowledge to their advantage, culminating in a very cleverly thought-out, considered and kinetic scene, packed full of action and intensity. This delivered perhaps one of the best cameos of the MCU, and may have set the benchmark for cameo appearances going forward, using other MCU characters in short and snappy momentsRather than having extended appearances. Daredevil and Echo’s relationship could develop after this spar, which would be fantastic to see, now that the latter is also a hero.
2
Deadpool and Wolverine take on the Deadpool Corps
Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
In the latest installment of the MCU, a long take is used during Deadpool and Wolverine’s battle against the Multiversal Deadpool Corps. After Nispool’s hilarious and tragic death in Deadpool & WolverineRyan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s titular heroes take on Deadpool’s other variants, including the likes of Lady Deadpool, Cowboypool, Kidpool, Zenpool, Deadpool 2099 and many more. The camera follows the pair as they tear their way through the Deadpool core, providing a fantastic opportunity to show off their brutal techniques and comically-accurate costumes.
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This long-take scene in Deadpool & Wolverine Also includes a brilliant cameo from Marvel legend Stan Lee, who appears in an advertisement on the side of the bus that Deadpool and Wolverine fight inside. It was very entertaining to see Deadpool and Wolverine fight their way through the entire Deadpool Corps, only for everyone to simply regenerate and wake up. Deadpool & Wolverine has very quickly become one of the most popular installments of the MCU and one of the most successful movies of all time, so more scenes than this can be expected in the futures of the heroes.
1
The Guardians of the Galaxy battle the High Evolutionary’s Hellfire
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Although all the long-taken scenes and others not mentioned have become some of the most memorable and beloved moments in the history of the MCU, 2023 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Could be argued to include the best yet. After infiltrating the High Evolutionary’s lab, the Guardians of the Galaxy band together one last time to take down the fearsome and evil supervillain.. They fight the High Evolutionary’s Hellspawn in a cramped corridor, each getting their moment to shine in a scene similar to that in The Avengers.
New Guardians of the Galaxy member |
Actor |
---|---|
Rocket Raccoon |
Bradley Cooper |
Great |
Vin Diesel |
Kraglin obfonteri |
Sean Gunn |
Cosmo the spacedog |
Maria Bakalova |
Adam Warlock |
Will Palter |
Phila |
Kai see |
blurp |
The Bradley Baker |
This hallway fight highlights Rocket and Groot’s brutality, Peter Quill’s tactical mind, Nebula’s versatile physicality, Drax’s brute strength and Gamora’s athletic and gymnastic skill. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Marked the final adventure for the original line-up of the titular cosmic team, thus It was incredibly cathartic to see them fight together one last time in this well-choreographed and beautiful scene of violence and aggression.. James Gunn using a long take here means that this scene will go down in history as one of the most powerful moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.