9 characters who have been able to lift Thor's hammer

Warning: There are some spoilers ahead if you haven't seen "Avengers: Age of Ultron."

One of the running gags in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" revolves around Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, and the other Avengers' inability to lift it.

As legend goes, only those "deemed worthy" are able to lift Mjolnir.

In one of the film's more lighthearted scenes, Thor's teammates, ranging from Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) to Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), all try their best to give it a lift. Though Captain America (Chris Evans) makes it budge, everyone's efforts prove futile.

You can check out the scene below.

Major spoilers ahead.

So it's a complete shock later in the film when Vision (Paul Bettany) effortlessly picks up Thor's hammer to hand it to the Asgardian God. 

Near the film's end, Stark speculates why Vision is able to lift Mjolnir. He says since he's not human, the rules of the hammer probably don't apply to him. 

Vision's not the only other character to wield the power of Thor on screen. Below are several others who have been deemed worthy enough to hold the hammer.

1. Beta Ray Bill: The Mighty Thor #337 (1983)

Alien Beta Ray Bill holds a special place in the Marvel Universe. He was the first one outside the Norse pantheon worthy enough to wield Thor's hammer. Originally, thinking he picks up a stick, Bill accidentally picks up Mjolnir to gain Thor's power. Trying to figure out who gets to claim Mjolnir, Bill beats Thor in a fight, and Odin eventually creates a separate hammer for him.

2. Captain America - The Mighty Thor #390 (1988) 

3. Ragnarok - Dark Avengers #189 (2013)

4. Wonder Woman - Marvel v. DC #3 (1996)

Sure, there might be a real-life rivalry between Marvel and DC, but the two universes have crossed over. 

5. Superman - Avengers/JLA #4 (2004)

6. Hulk - Avengers Assemble #4 (2012)

Yet another Avenger got the chance to wield Thor's hammer, albeit not for a very long time. Hulk held it while Thor moved it around. 

7. Awesome Android - She-Hulk #14 (2006)

While many of the characters on this list got the hammer based on circumstance, Awesome Android (a.k.a. Awesome Andy) got it by becoming Thor.

This flashback-heavy issue showed that Andy has the power to copy any personality trait. He used this to "copy Thor's nobility" and thus, gave himself the ability to both use and wield Mjolnir.

8. Magneto - The Ultimates 3 #5 (2008)

9. Loki - Avengers & X-Men: Axis #9 (2014)

Bonus:  

SEE ALSO: There is one mid-credits scene in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" — Here's what it means for future Marvel movies

AND: How Robert Downey Jr. got a shirt of Bruce Lee DJing into "Age of Ultron"

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This Was Marvel Legend Stan Lee's One Big Mistake