Why Is Marvel So Obsessed With Fights On A Bridge?

Black Panther stands out in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It would be strange if it didn’t. The film is diverse and different and exciting and new, in its characters and landscapes and even the messages it sends to the audience members that continue to pack movie theaters to see it. But there is one thing about it that makes it so typically Marvel, and that is the fight between T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) which takes place on a bridge.

Now, many on Twitter have recognized that the fight between the cousins actually takes place on a literal underground railroad, and the significance is not lost on this moment. And while that does separate it a bit from the rest, even as the fight looks super cool and remains tense throughout, it still shares its DNA with fellow Marvel fight scenes.

Personally, I found the fights in Black Panther that took place in the ponds overlooking a major waterfall to be even more exciting, and that’s not simply because there was 100% more shirtlessness happening. It also felt like uncharted, slippery, dangerous territory. We’ve never quite seen a show-down setting like this before.

But the bridge fight is a Marvel staple. Just as funky soundtracks and the defeat of the bad guys are necessary elements of the superhero films, as is a throwdown on an overpass. Whether the duel is occurring over a highway or an abyss, there’s an extreme sense of danger built in if one person goes over. As T’Challa and Killmonger duke it out on the vibranium train tracks, the slip of even a cat-like foot could cause one to fall over the edge. The stakes are high, the lights are beaming, and the punches are flying. And yet, we’ve seen (at least a version of) this before.

The Thor movies love their BiFrost rainbow bridge so dearly, and who can blame them, it looks so gorgeous and sparkly. And Captain America: The Winter Soldier‘s overpass fight scene is one of the most exhilarating in Marvel history. Bucky (Sebastian Stan) on a bridge! Because again, visually, these scenes are stunning. All the emotional moments and exposition the characters have set up so far completely pays off once they start a badass brawl on a bridge. Also, this allows for Bucky’s dark, stringy hair to blow in the wind just a bit, and that doesn’t just look great, it serves as a reminder that even villains are allowed a Beyoncé moment from time to time.

Aesthetically, the Marvel films know what they’re doing. Fighting on flat land? Bo-ring! That’s for losers who lack superhuman capabilities. But fighting on a bridge? Cool fights plus increased risk of falling over! It’s a signature move that delivers suspense and a certain slickness every time.

And while we can all marvel (pun intended) at how great these scenes look and how threatening they prove to be, they also come packed with metaphors: often, a bridge fight brings with it the first physical meeting of two adversaries, connecting face to face to engage in a fierce fight. A bridge fight signifies not just a dope action sequence ahead, but a meaningful turning point in the story at hand as well.

So while a Marvel bridge battle might seem commonplace for these films, it should also be noted that no two look alike. From the rainbows to the railway, each is a true treat for the eyes and a thrill that gets your heart pumping just a little bit speedier throughout the scene. That they’ve also managed to make such visually pleasing moments carry deep meaning and metaphors could quite possibly be these films’ true super power.

Where to watch Captain America: The Winter Soldier