Iron Man

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***This article is about the fictional character. For the 2008 film based on the character, see Iron Man (2008 film). For other uses, see Iron Man (disambiguation).***
***"Tony Stark" redirects here. For the film character, see Tony Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe).***

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## About

**Iron Man** is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by **Marvel Comics**. Co-created by writer and editor **Stan Lee**, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in *Tales of Suspense* #39 (cover dated March 1963), and received his own title in *Iron Man* #1 (May 1968). In 1963, the character founded the Avengers superhero team with Thor, Ant-Man, Wasp and the Hulk.

A wealthy American business magnate, playboy, philanthropist, inventor and ingenious scientist, **Anthony Edward** "**Tony**" **Stark** suffers a severe chest injury during a kidnapping. When his captors attempt to force him to build a weapon of mass destruction, he instead creates a mechanized suit of armor to save his life and escape captivity. Later, Stark develops his suit, adding weapons and other technological devices he designed through his company, **Stark Industries**. He uses the suit and successive versions to protect the world as Iron Man. Although at first concealing his true identity, Stark eventually publicly reveals himself to be Iron Man.

Initially, **Stan Lee** used Iron Man to explore Cold War themes, particularly the role of American technology and industry in the fight against communism. Subsequent re-imaginings of Iron Man have shifted to contemporary matters.

Iron Man has headlined various comic book series. Throughout most of the character's publication history, he has been a founding member of the Avengers.

## **Appearances**

* Iron Man 1
* Iron Man 2
* Iron Man 3

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**Iron Man** released in 2008, is a landmark film in the **Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)** that marked the beginning of a new era in **superhero** cinema. Directed by **Jon Favreau**, the film stars **Robert Downey Jr**. in a career-defining role as **Tony Stark**, a genius billionaire industrialist and a mastermind engineer. The film's screenplay was penned by **Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby**, with additional writing by **Art Marcum and Matt Holloway**.
The story revolves around Tony Stark, a charismatic and brilliant inventor who heads **Stark Industries**, a major weapons manufacturer. **Stark's** life takes a dramatic turn during a weapons demonstration in **Afghanistan**, where he is captured by a terrorist group known as the *Ten Rings*. The captors force him to build a devastating missile, but instead, **Stark** creates a suit of advanced power armor, known as the **Mark I**, which he uses to escape his captors. This pivotal moment becomes the catalyst for his transformation into the armored **Avenger**, **Iron Man**.
Back in the **United States**, **Stark** has a change of heart about the weapons business, vowing to stop producing weapons that can fall into the wrong hands. He dedicates his considerable intellect and resources to refining his **Iron Man** armor, taking it from a prototype to a formidable piece of technology that enhances his strength, agility, and weaponry.

As **Tony Stark** embraces his new role as a superhero, he encounters various challenges, including internal conflicts within **Stark Industries**, opposition from his business partner **Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges)**, and the need to keep his double life as **Iron Man** a secret. He's also supported by his loyal assistant **Pepper Potts (played by Gwyneth Paltrow)** and guided by his friend and AI system, ***J.A.R.V.I.S.***
"Iron Man" is not just a tale of a man in a high-tech suit fighting villains; it's a character-driven story that explores themes of redemption, responsibility, and the consequences of one's actions. The film masterfully combines action, humor, and drama, with standout performances, especially from Robert Downey Jr., who perfectly captures the wit, charisma, and vulnerability of **Tony Stark**.

The film's success was a turning point for both **Marvel Studios** and the superhero genre as a whole. It laid the foundation for the interconnected cinematic universe that would become the **MCU**, leading to numerous sequels, crossovers, and a massive fan following. "Iron Man" introduced audiences to the exciting possibilities of a shared superhero universe, setting the stage for the epic storytelling that would follow in subsequent **MCU** films.

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Released in 2010, "Iron Man 2" is the highly anticipated sequel to the groundbreaking film that introduced the world to **Tony Stark** and his alter ego, **Iron Man**. Directed by **Jon Favreau** once again, the film delves deeper into the life of **Tony Stark**, his struggles, and the emergence of new challenges.
The film opens with **Tony Stark** revealing to the world that he is, indeed, **Iron Man**. This bold move has global consequences, as it draws the attention of the government, foreign powers, and potential adversaries who seek to harness the power of **Stark's** technology. **Stark** is under immense pressure to share the **Iron Man** technology with the government, which he adamantly refuses to do.

Amidst these challenges, **Tony** is also dealing with his own personal demons. The arc reactor in his chest that powers both his heart and his **Iron Man** suit is also slowly poisoning him, and he's on a race against time to find a solution. As he faces his own mortality, he becomes increasingly reckless and self-destructive, leading to tensions with his closest allies, including his friend and business partner **Pepper Potts (played by Gwyneth Paltrow).**
**Another significant character introduced in this film is** Ivan Vanko**, also known as** Whiplash**, portrayed by** Mickey Rourke**.** Vanko **has a personal vendetta against the** Stark **family and has developed his own deadly technology. His goal is to challenge** Iron Man **and bring down** Tony Stark**, leading to a high-stakes showdown.**

Adding to the mix is the enigmatic **Justin Hammer (played by Sam Rockwell)**, a rival industrialist who aspires to replicate **Stark's** success and is willing to do anything to outshine him. He teams up with **Vanko** to create an army of armored suits, leading to a climactic battle that showcases the power and innovation of **Stark's 'Iron Man'**  technology.

Throughout **"Iron Man 2,"** the film further explores themes of responsibility, legacy, and the consequences of one's actions. **Tony Stark's** journey is one of personal growth, as he learns to confront his own flaws and the consequences of his actions while striving to protect both his loved ones and the world.

The film maintains the blend of action, humor, and character development that was established in the first "Iron Man" film, with Robert Downey Jr. once again delivering a charismatic and engaging performance as **Tony Stark.** **"Iron Man 2"** sets the stage for the expanding **Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)**, teasing connections to other superheroes and paving the way for the epic team-up films that would follow, further solidifying the popularity of the **MCU** and its unique approach to interconnected storytelling.

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**Iron Man 3** (titled onscreen as **Iron Man Three** ) is a 2013 American superhero film based on the **Marvel Comics**  character **Iron Man** , produced by **Marvel Studios** and distributed by **Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures**. It is the sequel to **Iron Man (2008)** and **Iron Man 2 (2010)**, and the seventh film in the **Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)**. The film was directed by **Shane Black** from a screenplay he co-wrote with **Drew Pearce**, and stars **Drew Pearce**as **Tony Stark** / **Iron Man**  alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stéphanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, William Sadler, Miguel Ferrer, Jon Favreau, and Ben Kingsley. In **Iron Man**  3, **Tony Stark** wrestles with the ramifications of the events of The Avengers (2012) during a national terrorism campaign on the United States led by the mysterious Mandarin.

After the release of **Iron Man 2** in May 2010, director Favreau chose not to return for a third film. Black was hired to write and direct the sequel in February 2011, working with Pearce to make the script more character-centric, focus on thriller elements, and use concepts from Warren Ellis's "Extremis" comic book story arc. The film's supporting cast, including Kingsley, Pearce, and Hall, were brought on throughout April and May 2012. Filming took place from May 23 to December 17, 2012, primarily at EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina. Additional filming took place around North Carolina as well as in Florida, Los Angeles, and China; an extended version of the film specifically for Chinese audiences was created. Seventeen companies provided the film's visual effects.