The Avengers cast ages: How old were the actors then and now?

It may be hard to believe, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently old enough to get its very own driver's license. That's right; it's been sixteen years of epic storytelling, jaw-dropping action sequences, and tear-dropping moments. For more than a decade and a half, we've watched our favorite heroes come to life on the big screen, save the day, travel through time, and even break the multiverse.

But regardless of how many strengths the MCU has, one of its best will always be the on-point casting. We all know Robert Downey Jr. was born to play the billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist; Tony Stark. Much like him, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, and Jeremy Renner all perfectly fit their respective roles. So it's time to take a trip down memory lane and look how old the original six Avengers were when they started their epic journey on the MCU!

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark

Born: April 4, 1965
Age when Iron Man released: 43
Age now (2024): 59

Tony Stark is often seen as the face of the MCU itself. After all, his stand-alone adventure was responsible for launching the interconnected epic superhero tale back in 2008. The American actor was 43 years old when he portrayed the role of Tony Stark for the first time, and he proceeded to do so for eleven years. Audiences watched him fall in love with Pepper, build Ultron, fight Captain America, and ultimately sacrifice himself to save the world. His time as the genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist ended in 2019 with the release of Avengers: Endgame when he was 54 years old.

In a shocking twist of events, Robert Downey Jr's journey in the MCU just got a little longer. During San Diego Comic-Con 2024, it was announced he'll be back as Doctor Doom. It's unclear which project will mark his first evil appearance (Fantastic Four: First Steps, we're looking at you) but audiences will surely see him again in Avengers: Doomsday on May 2026.

Chris Evans as Steve Rogers

Born: June 13, 1981
Age when Captain America: The First Avenger released: 30
Age now (2024): 43

Chris Evans may have not been the first actor to portray a superhero role in the MCU, but he certainly was the first Avenger chronologically. He was 30 years old when we first watched him prove why an unbreakable spirit is the most important superpower ever... right next to super strength, of course. Since then, Captain America proceeded to have one of the best superhero trilogies ever made. He switched from fighting for his country to going against the law in an attempt to save his best friend. By the end of Avengers: Endgame, audiences finally watched him hang up the shield and live a simple life in the past with Peggy Carter.

Much like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans returned to the MCU in a different role. Deadpool & Wolverine was filled with many mind-blowing multiversal cameos, one of which was Chris Evans' Human Torch. It was nice to see him suited up back in action, and it makes us wonder if we've truly seen the last of him on the Marvel Universe or if he could be back in Avengers: Secret Wars.

Chris Hemsworth as Thor Odinson

Born: June 13, 1981
Age when Thor released: 27
Age now (2024): 40

Chris Hemsworth was the third superhero to have a standalone movie in the MCU after Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man and Edward Norton's Hulk (though the latter technically didn't count since the role would later be recast). However, Thor was the first "cosmic" hero introduced to audiences, greatly expanding the reach and mythology of the MCU.

Chris Hemsworth was 27 years old when we first watched him adventure on a journey to prove he was worthy of being the God of Thunder. He would later lose his brother Loki (multiple times), join forces with Hulk to defeat Hela, and tip the balance in favor of the Avengers on the Wakandan battlefield in one of the most iconic moments of the MCU as a whole.

As of today, Chirs Hemsworth's role as Thor is still going strong. Rumors have it that he'll have a fifth movie in his stand-alone franchise and also aid Earth's Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Secret Wars. It's an incredibly exciting future for the God of Thunder, and we can't wait to see what he'll be up to next.

Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff

Born: November 22, 1984
Age when Iron Man 2 released: 25
Age now (2024): 39

Ever since the introduction of Nick Fury in Iron Man's post-credits scene, audiences knew Marvel was planning to have a big interconnected world of heroes on the big screen. That idea was further established in the post-credits scene of The Incredible Hulk when Tony Stark crossed paths with General Thaddeus Ross. But it wasn't until Iron Man 2 that we saw two different heroes working together in the form of Iron Man and Black Widow.

Scarlett Johansson was 25 years old when she first portrayed the character of Natasha Romanoff in the MCU. Since then, we've seen her appear in seven different movies, including her very own stand-alone adventure. Unfortunately, her time came to an end when she sacrificed herself for the greater good in Avengers: Endgame. Even if she was one of the few people without any superpowers, she stood her ground next to the likes of Hulk and Thor which is nothing short of admirable.

But even if Natasha is dead in the MCU, Scarlett Johansson could always come back. After all, it's been reported she will produce an untitled Disney+ series. Besides, it's worth noting she was also an executive producer in Black Widow, meaning she could always look to be back behind the scenes in many more projects to come.

Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner

Born: November 22, 1967
Age when The Avengers released: 44
Age now (2024): 56

Out of all the six founding Avengers, only the Hulk has the particularity of being recast at some point. When The Incredible Hulk was released back in 2008, Edward Norton was the one to play the role of Bruce Banner. However, fast-forward to 2012, and suddenly Mark Ruffalo acts as the tortured scientist. Fortunately, the switch-up worked perfectly.

Shockingly, Mark Ruffalo hasn't starred in his own standalone project ever since joining the MCU. Sure, audiences have watched him be a key character in all four Avengers movies, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, and Thor: Ragnarok. However, we're still waiting for a Planet Hulk (adaptation or something along those lines). That lack of project mostly came down to Universal having the distribution rights to a Hulk solo movie for many years. It's a little unclear if that is still the case on this very date, but we don't lose hope of ever seeing him have the spotlight all on his own.

Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton

Born: January 7, 1971
Age when Thor released: 40
Age now (2024): 53

Remember how we said Black Widow has been one of the few key MCU heroes that doesn't have any superpowers? Well, let's talk about one of the others. Jeremy Renner was 40 years old when audiences first watched him play the role of Hawkeye in that quick cameo on Thor. However, it wasn't until 2012 with the premiere of Avengers that we finally watched him in action.

Clint Barton became a bit of the heart of the Avengers during the events of Age of Ultron. Besides, he was fully ready to sacrifice himself in Endgame to give the world a second chance - until Natasha Romanoff took his place. Most recently, he had his own stand-alone Disney+ series where he acted as a mentor to Kate Bishop.

Hawkeye's time in the MCU is still far from over, as chances are we'll watch him fight alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes once again in Avengers: Doomsday and/or Secret Wars. Fingers crossed those two projects aren't the last we see of him!