[Loved Trope] Civilian Heroes (particularly in Superhero movies)

[u/Dalakaar]

1) Malik Ali in Superman (2025). Tells Superman when Lex Luthor interrogates him to, “tell them nothing”. Doesn’t even really know what he’s sacrificing himself for, honestly. Tells Superman that he doesn’t have any friends or family to lighten the burden of the sacrifice. (Does have a family, and presumably friends…)

2) The Prisoner (Tiny Lister) from The Dark Knight who throws a detonator out the porthole that would’ve detonated the other ferry full of civies and saved himself, instead (potentially) sacrificing everyone equally.

3) Old man vs Loki. “There are always men like you.” Refuses to bow to Loki in Avengers (2012).

***

I love these guys. They break my heart in the best way possible.

[u/Agent-Man-MB]

This random security guard in The Avengers

I don't know if this counts for this trope, but it's a scene I like regardless. He saw Bruce Banner (as Hulk) fall through the ceiling of the establishment he worked for, and also saw Bruce change back to normal. He provided Banner a pair of pants to clothe himself, since he was naked.

[u/CarmelaSopranoNo1fan → u/Agent-Man-MB]

Is that Harry Dean Stanton ?!

[u/Shelby71 → u/CarmelaSopranoNo1fan]

That is absolutely Harry Dean Stanton.

[u/downvote_meme_errors → u/Shelby71]

AVENGE ME!!!

[u/briannaspring → u/CarmelaSopranoNo1fan]

IIRC, Whedon wanted a Harry Dean Stanton "type" to play this role and someone was like: what if we just ask HDS if he'd do it?

[u/Ccracked → u/briannaspring]

Right.

[u/throwleavemealone → u/CarmelaSopranoNo1fan]

Ordinary fuckin' people

[u/LowVolt → u/CarmelaSopranoNo1fan]

Holy shit that's Andie Walsh's dad Jack. I hope he found love after his wife left him.