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In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers are king: they are a group of super heroes that come together under the supervision and ideas of S.H.I.E.L.D. leader, Nick Fury. Although the seemingly mismatched team do not get along at first, they become friends out of necessity. When you’re fighting bad guys who want to rule the world or unmake half the universe, you really can’t be squabbling. Plus, hard times bring people together in a way that nothing else can.

But what about the actors who play the superheroes in The Avengers franchise movies? After working with each other for many years, have they become friends in real life? Well, some of them have!

Chris Pratt and Chris Evans

Two of the three MCU’s Chris’s are actually great friends in real life. Chris Pratt, who plays Star-Lord, and Chris Evans, who portrays Captain America, have shared a great friendship outside any major on-screen time together before Avengers: Infinity War. The friendship they share has even been used to help one another become better people.

During a little friendly competition, Pratt and Evans jokingly tried to one up the other when they visited children’s hospitals in full costume. Besides making the day of a great number of ill children, this competition really backs up the duo’s reputation as two of the nicest guys in the industry. 

Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo

This “in-real-life” friendship might seem a little strange since both Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo both played the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Generally, you’d think there would be bad blood between the man who introduced a new generation to The Hulk (Norton) and the guy who ultimately replaced him (Ruffalo). 

These two were friends before this went down; however, and they haven’t let it get in the way of their friendship. Ruffalo is quoted as stating he was a little upset at how he got his role as the big green ball of anger, but Norton says he’s happy for his friends and wishes him well in his ventures.

Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson

Captain America and Black Widow were actually really great friends long before they appeared in the MCU together. In fact, they became friends back in 2004 when they appeared together in The Perfect Score. The two have remained friends for the 15 years since then, and really enjoyed working together again.

Chris Evans and Robert Downey, Jr.

Apparently, Evans is best friends with everyone, which really does suit his reputation as being one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. If the media hadn’t been able to convince you, then maybe just how many of The Avengers Evans is friends with in real life will. 

Robert Downey, Jr. and Evans are friends in real life. In fact, it was Downey who finally ended up convincing Evans to sign a multi-film contract as Captain America with Marvel. Prior to his friend’s advice, Evans had been unsure of whether he wanted to commit to the role.

Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke

These Black Panther costars actually have a LOT of history together. They attended the Yale School of Drama together and Nyong’o was even the one to give Duke his campus tour! The two say they became such great friends during their college years because the shared the immigrant experience.

Even funnier? The two friends went to see The Avengers film when it was released to theaters in 2012. At the time, they didn’t know they would one day be joining the cast when Black Panther hit theaters several years later. 

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