Every MCU Phase 2 movie features characters losing at least one arm, and this trend is a subtle but intentional homage to another beloved film franchise. Throughout each of the six movies of MCU Phase 2, multiple heroes and villains are seen without an arm, and it's the only one of Marvel Studios' franchise phases in which every installment displays this unique physical element. It's a reference that isn't too on the nose or noticeable, but it's interesting to look back on this tribute.
Marvel Studios hasn't been modest when it comes to recognizing the impact of previous major film franchises, including other superhero movies. Many pre-MCU characters even returned in Phase 4 and capitalized on the impact of their respective outings, but the team behind the popular Marvel movies and shows also typically re-watch 1978's Superman as they prepare the production for their projects due to its significant resonance. However, it's MCU Phase 2 that includes one of its best recurring callbacks to another popular franchise, which also happens to be owned by the same parent company: Disney.
How Phase 2 Pays Tribute to Star Wars
MCU Phase 2 pays tribute to Star Wars by having characters lose an arm in each installment. Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Mace Windu are among the many Star Wars characters who managed to lose a limb. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige told Cinema Blend in 2015 that the homage didn't start out as intentional, but it was eventually decided each MCU Phase 2 movie would include this tribute. The reason it happened in this phase specifically is that while it didn't serve as Marvel's version of The Empire Strikes Back, "tonally things are a little different. Somebody gets their arm cut off in every Phase 2 movie. Every single one."
Beginning with 2013's Iron Man 3 and ending with 2015's Ant-Man, there are several sequences in MCU Phase 2 featuring the Star Wars lost limb callback. Whether it's in the form of Loki's MCU betrayals and tricks or a character losing their arm during combat, multiple characters suffer from this tradition. It may be seen in numerous other Marvel projects from other phases, but it's MCU Phase 2 that features the Star Wars tribute the most consistently.
Every Lost Limb In MCU Phase 2
During Iron Man 3's final battle, Aldrich Killian prepares to deliver a killing blow to Tony Stark, who uses a blade embedded in his Iron Man armor to relieve the villain of his left arm. In Thor: The Dark World, Loki uses an illusion to make it appear that he's sliced off Thor's right hand in order to trick Malekith and the Dark Elves. Thor also uses devices Jane Foster created to teleport Malekith's arms to the Svartalfheim realm. Captain America: The Winter Soldier shows a flashback of Bucky losing his left arm after falling off the train in Captain America: The First Avenger and receiving his Winter Soldier arm.
Guardians of the Galaxy features a sequence in which Gamora chops off Groot's arms with her sword during their first encounter. Nebula later severs her left hand in order to escape from her adoptive sister during their heated fight. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Iron Man's creation of Ultron leads to the AI robot cutting off Ulysses Klaue's left arm in a bloody fit of rage. Finally, Ant-Man's Yellowjacket loses his right arm as he's sucked into the Quantum Realm after being defeated by the titular Marvel hero. In total, MCU Phase 2 features eight different scenes in which a character loses a limb.
