Many credits must go to ZoomZolomonZoom, whose plot inspired me to make this. Much of the plot comes from his. Also credit goes to MarvelousMarty for the image templates. The film is based on the Marvel Comics hero created by Stan Lee and Don Heck.
| Iron Man (Fancaster film) | ||
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| Director: | Jon Favreau | |
| Producer(s): | Kevin Feige Victora Alonso Louis D'Esposito Stan Lee | |
| Writer(s): | Mark Fergus Hawk Ostby Art Marcum Matt Holloway | |
| Release: | May 2nd, 2008 | |
| Running Time: | 2h 6m | |
| More Information | ||
| Full Credits | Awards | |
| Reviews | Merchandise | |
| Characters | Trivia | |
| Premiere | Release | |
| Marvel Movie Chronology | ||
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Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it is the 1st film in The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It was directed by Jon Favreau, from a screenplay by the writing teams of Mark Fergus, Hawk Otsby, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway. It stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/ Iron Man, alongside Will Smith, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub, and Rachel McAdams. In the film, following his escape from captivity by a terrorist group, world famous industrialist Tony Stark builds a mechanical suit of armor and turns a new leaf as the superhero Iron Man.
Production[]
In 2005, it was announced an Iron Man film was being made, as the first film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was considered a risky property to center a movie around, as Iron Man was considered a B-list superhero, and had been stuck in development hell since the mid '80s. Despite it's risky nature, however, it still received a large budget and an A-List cast of stars. Including Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, and Will Smith. Hong Kong superstar Tony Leung chiu-wai was also confirmed in the cast, but with his role disclosed until opening day, But many fans came to speculate and were proven right that his role was The Mandarin.
Jon Faverau was hired by Marvel Studios as the director, wanting to work on a superhero movie as his big break in Hollywood. Years earlier, Favureau had had wanted to work with Marvel producer Avi Arad on another film, after they both worked on the 2003 film Daredevil. Having read Iron Man comics since childhood, he knew what his gateway into Hollywood had to be. Marvel Studios and Avi Arad in particular had desires for the film to be a spy, or heist film, with The Mandarin as the arch-enemy. Jon Favreau and Kevin Feige, though, were in opposition. Both wanting a more grounded, and realistic story for the film. Favreau believing the Mandarin was too fantastical to be introduced so early. However, the character would appear at the end credits of the movie. He also made the film a lot more based around Tony Stark's inner-struggle of going from a war-mongering businessman to a superhero, thinking that would be more interesting and nuance as well.
Favreau planned to cast a relative newcomer in the title role, as "those movies don't require a huge or expensive leading star; Iron Man's the star. The superhero is front and center." Favreau also felt a younger actor was needed. But, many actors had been called in to audition for the role, including Bradley Cooper, Pedro Pascal, Nicholas Cage, Tom Cruise, Sam Rockwell, Timothy Olyphant, Keanu Reeves, Clive Owen, and Robert Downey Jr.. Downey Jr. had been trying to rejuvenate his career in the aftermath of his prison period, and early on was out favorited against legends like Cruise, who had been the studio's favorite up to that point. But, it was his audition that convinced Feige and Knight that he was the right choice. Feige faced opposition from Marvel, but would not take no for an answer, saying, "it was my job as producer and his [Jon Favreau] job as producer and director to show that it was the best choice creatively. We all knew he was talented." And on September 2006, Robert Downey Jr. was cast in the lead role. The choice was met with universal disdain by fans, many insulting Marvel for being 'cheap', some feeling Robert was too old, and even personal jabs at the Oscar nominee for his past misdeeds.
Later, Iron Monger was changed to the primary antagonist. With the Mandarin's terrorist organization, the Ten Rings making an appearance in the film as well. Marvel, before the movie created multiple comic book and animated series on Iron Man to try and raise public awareness of the hero. These proved to be successful as test groups actually did respond well to Iron Man as a hero, with the film being released on May 2nd 2008 around the world.
Cast[]
- Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/ Iron Man (First Appearance)
- Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane/ Iron Monger (First Appearance) (Death)
- Rachel McAdams as Virginia "Pepper" Potts (First Appearance)
- Vince Vaughan as Harold "Happy" Hogan (First Appearance)
- Will Smith as James "Rhodey" Rhodes (First Appearance)
- Cameron Diaz as Christine Everhart (First Appearance)
- Dan Stevens as J.A.R.V.I.S. (First Appearance)
- Shaun Toub as Ho Yinsen (First Appearance) (Death)
- Marc Evan Jackson as Agent Phil Coulson (First Appearance)
- Samuel L. Jackson as Director Nick Fury (First Appearance)
- Tony Leung-chiu wai as The Mandarin (End-Credits) (First Appearance)
Plot- /PROLOUGE/[]
The film opens with a shot of soldiers driving in military convoys across the desert of the now war-torn Kunar, Afghanistan. A caption below reveals the year and date: May 27th, 2010. Inside one of them, sits playboy and visionary industrial genius Tony Stark, CEO of leading military defense contractor, Stark Industries. The soldiers chat with Tony, who speaks in a quick- witted banter, spouting out one-liners. When one of them questions Tony if he went 12 for 12 in the Maxim cover last year, Tony responds with "yes and no" adding on to it with quips. As one solider prepares to take a selfie with Stark and post it on Facebook, the convoy is then bombarded with missiles, killing most of the soldiers. Tony, left defenseless, runs out of the convoy opposed of being instructed to stay. As he stumbles through the bloodshed, Tony hides behind a rock, attempting to send a text to presumably Stark Industries. Just then, a missile branded with his company's name detonates, knocking Tony out. The aggressors are revealed to be a terrorist group known as 'The Ten Rings', who drag the unconscious Stark away, as the title rolls, and the theme plays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ido-a1W8sN8&list=TLPQMzAxMDIwMjHVGOU9J9VoMg&index=1
/ACT ONE/[]
We then cut in Las Vegas, Nevada days earlier with an establishing aerial shot of Stark Expo. Inside, the camera pans over the advanced technology on display throughout the interior. Virginia Potts and Obadiah Stane are shown to be waiting behind the curtain, noticing the amount of people in the Expo. Virginia wonders where Tony is and Obadiah tells her that he doesn't know, assuming that he's running late, as usual, and that they should roll the video in the meantime.
The video plays, telling the history of Stark Industries: Founded by Howard Stark, Stark Industries has played a vital role in the Munitions Industry since World War II until Howard's tragic demise. Fortunately, his successor and genius son Tony Stark, born in 1975, would soon after take over the company, and with the help and mentorship of Chairman Obadiah Stane, turned it to what it is now, a multibillion dollar conglomerate partnered with the United States Military dedicated to protecting America and its interests around the world. After the presentation finishes and the standing ovation, Tony is still nowhere to be found. Obadiah, desperate to save face, goes up to the stand and makes jokes about Tony's absence while talking about what it was like raising him all these years and how he's always working. Virginia meanwhile tries to call Tony telling him he needs to get down here now, that he’s keeping the entire armed forces waiting.
It then shows Tony in a Casino with his best friend and Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes, both gambling and having fun until his Bodyguard and Chauffeur Harold “Happy” Hogan goes up to Tony and tells him that they need to go to the Stark Expo now. Tony begs for one more round of Black Jack but Happy assures him he said that five turns ago and Tony then sternly insists that he’s the reason the whole Expo exists, they’ll wait. Rhodey though responds that Happy has a point, he needs to be there or else the General is going to be on his ass. On account of Rhodey’s pleading Tony gives in and lets Happy drive them to the Expo. Once he gets dropped off Tony is confronted by Virginia, whom he patronizingly calls Pepper, and they start to bicker with one another about being late until he tells her to shut up and goes up to the stand, Rhodey sitting next to the rest of the Military personnel. Tony then proceeds to introduce his latest inventions, including the Jericho Missile. Which he claims is the latest and greatest bomb that will blow whichever country it is set upon right off the map. After the Stark Expo ends, Obadiah Stane and Tony talk about him being late to which Obadiah says he doesn't mind since he knows Tony's "ritual" is different than most, and as long as he keeps his mind sharp and the shareholders happy there's nothing to worry about. Tony thanks him and rhetorically says how he wishes Pepper would be more understanding.
As Stark and his guards walk out to the limo, he passes groups of people kept behind a velvet rope until one sneaks under only to be stopped by Happy Hogan. She introduces herself as Christine Everhart and that she’s a journalist for WHiH News who just wants to ask him a couple of questions. Tony allows it and she proceeds to ask him how he responds to accusations of being a "warmonger" and that his irresponsible, child-like behavior has led to the deaths of millions in the Middle East. Tony argues with Christine about these claims until she eventually becomes charmed by his witty remarks and sleeps with him at his Malibu mansion. She stays the night until being woken up by Tony’s butler, J.A.R.V.I.S. After admiring his extravagant house, Christine gets dressed and sees Tony doing calisthenics in the living room before asking him if he gets woken up like that every morning. Tony insists that’s what he programmed him to do and Christine insists she doesn’t understand. Tony tells her J.A.R.V.I.S. is an A.I., Since no other butler could keep up with him, so he designed one who would. Tony tells J.A.R.V.I.S. to please escort Miss Everhart off the premises as soon as possible, he does as told.
Afterwards, Tony is then seen down in his basement working on one of his cars. Pepper Potts soon walks down too and informs him that the Jet is ready to take him to Afghanistan for the Inspection Tour whenever he’s ready. Tony stops working and begins listing everything he needs her to do while he's away. Pepper though explains she won't be able to do all of it since it's her birthday this weekend and Tony responds she shouldn't be celebrating since she's not getting any younger.
Later, Happy Hogan is driving Tony to his private Jet with Obadiah Stane in the back. They both crack jokes and talk business with each other until getting to the airport, where Obadiah wishes Tony a safe flight and encourages him to really sell this, that he doesn't want to go back to this "shithole" anytime soon. Tony agrees and walks to the plane where Rhodey is waiting for him, still mad about the night before, that because of his antics he was almost given Latrine duty. Tony tells him to chill out and that he'll make it up to him, insisting that it's going to be a long ride. It then shows during the flight they're partying once again as Rhodey gets drunk and opens up about how proud he is to be serving his country. Tony eventually gets bored of his tangent and encourages one of the lap dancers to cheer Rhodey up so he doesn't have to keep listening.
The group arrive at the assembly in Afghanistan, where the Jericho missile is demonstrated for the first time, leaving the military in awe. After the presentation is over, Tony grabs a glass of Whiskey and tells Rhodey he's got last year's Maxim cover models, twelve for twelve, all waiting for him back at the embassy, asking if he's in. Rhodey says not tonight, that partying with him these last few days has been fun but this is work, they've got work to do and Tony claims he just did his work, and now it's time to play. We then cut back to the present, after the terrorists attacked and kidnapped Tony. An electromagnet built by fellow captive Ho Yinsen keeps the shrapnel that wounded Stark from reaching his heart and killing him. The Ten Rings leader, Raza offers Stark freedom in exchange Stark must build a Jericho missile for the group, but Stark and Yinsen agree that Raza will not keep his word.
While pretending to work on the missile, Stark and Yinsen secretly build a powerful electric generator called an Arc Reactor, to power Stark's electromagnet, and then they begin to build a powered suit of armor, designed by Stark, to help them escape. The Ten Rings attack the workshop when they discover Stark's plan, but Yinsen sacrifices himself to distract them while Stark's suit powers up. Using the armored suit, Stark fights his way out of the cave to find a mortally wounded Yinsen, who reassures Stark and urges him to continue his escape and not waste his life. An enraged Stark leaves the cave, burns the terrorist's stockpile of Stark Industries produced weapons and flies away, only then to crash in the desert, destroying his suit. A rescue party lead by Rhodey find Stark and bring him into the plane.
/ACT TWO/[]
The film cuts to 3 months later, Tony finally returns to America only to see Pepper waiting for him at the airport, relieved to see he's still alive. Tony then gets into his Limo where Happy welcomes him back home before asking where to. He insists they get a Cheeseburger and Fries first before going back to the Mansion. In Malibu, Tony goes down to the basement and talks to J.A.R.V.I.S. about working on his car again. Just as he's about to get started though, he isn't able to do it, instead opting to build a new and improved Arc Reactor and afterwards telling J.A.R.V.I.S. to call for Pepper. He does as told and Pepper goes downstairs asking what he needs, only for Tony to break down telling her everything that happened with Ho Yinsen in the cave and how he doesn't want to make or sell weapons anymore, not just because of what it did to his heart, but to innocent people around the world. Pepper understands and points out Stark Industries is his company, he doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to. He thanks her for listening to him and then points out while he has her attention he needs her help with something. Pepper wonders what and Tony explains he needs her to switch out his current Arc Reactor for a new one he's been building, she agrees to do it and they then share a moment.
The next day at the Stark Industries Headquarters, Obadiah Stane personally welcomes Tony back as he leads him into a Press Conference, telling him that he's been personally overseeing upgrades on the Jericho Missile but that as a coming home present he'll get to announce them. Stark announces that his company will cease manufacturing weapons. Obadiah ends the meeting early and pulls Tony aside into another room, asking him what this is all about. Tony explains that he saw things in Afghanistan, innocent people being senselessly killed because of his weapons, because of him. Obadiah advises Stark that this may ruin Stark Industries and his father's legacy. Tony insists if even one person dies who shouldn't have because of something he made, that blood is on his hands. Obadiah points out that he can't blame himself, he's just one cog in a bigger machine. If he stops now he'll just be putting thousands of families out of a job, what’s he going to tell them, huh. Stark though claims they'll make something else, technology that helps people, not hurt them. Obadiah asks like what and Tony opens his shirt, revealing his Arc Reactor, explaining to him that it's a Palladium based magnet keeping shrapnel out of his heart, maybe they can do something with this. Stane though argues restructuring the entire company isn't worth the investment, they argue about it more until Pepper interrupts them by announcing that there's going to be a party for Tony's return tomorrow night and that they're both invited.
Tony drives back home and in the Basement sees a gift from Pepper, his original Arc Reactor in a container with an engraving on it, Proof Tony Stark has a heart. Seeing that he then starts spending the next couple of weeks working with J.A.R.V.I.S. on building a Mark II version of his suit. Eventually, creating hand and feet repulsors that allow him to levitate off the ground which after many attempts Tony is able to seamlessly make work. He then constructs the rest of the Mark II suit, which happens over a period of weeks, making it sleeker and more high tech, which he then uses to fly out of his driveway and all over Los Angeles. Having fun and admiring that the design seems to completely work. Tony then flies right back into his Malibu Mansion and lands proudly stating "Yeah, I can fly." Later, while a batch of Dum-E are trying to take the suit off Pepper comes in and catches him partially in the suit. When she questions him about it he tells her that the Ten Rings are still out there. That changing the company wasn't enough, he wants to make a difference, a real difference, stop the demons he's already created. He shows her the entire suit and she comments that it could use some color, which Tony actually thinks isn't a bad idea.
Stark dons his new armor and flies to Afghanistan, where he saves Gulmira, Yinsen's village. While flying home, Stark is engaged by two F-22 Raptors. As they get more aggressive Tony, not knowing what else to do, has J.A.R.V.I.S. call Rhodey and asks him to go to the Air Force base and call off the strike. Rhodey puts the pieces together that Tony Stark is in the suit and despite being annoyed about it still makes his way to the Air Force base and manages to get the F-22 Raptors to stand down. Meanwhile, the Ten Rings gathers the pieces of Stark's prototype suit. They call Obadiah Stane telling him that they found what he hired them to find. Obadiah then instructs them to bring it back to the United States before he hangs up and meets with Happy Hogan. Happy asks what he needs and Obadiah explains how he's been getting a little worried about Tony recently. He's not partying like he used to, he stopped all his projects out of nowhere, he might be depressed. Happy acknowledges he's noticed it too but doesn't know how to help, Tony's never been the most emotionally open guy, but after what happened anyone would need support, but he's just shut everyone out. Obadiah agrees and claims that they need to help him in any way he can, for his own good.
That night, Tony is seen flying back to Malibu where he lands inside his mansion. After changing out of his suit he goes upstairs only to see Obadiah Stane ominously playing the piano with Happy Hogan sitting next to him. When Tony asks how Obadiah got in Happy says he let him in because neither of them know what's going on anymore. Obadiah explains how he just saw a news report of someone using Arc Reactor technology to neutralize terrorist cells in Afghanistan, but no one knows how to make Arc Reactors except for him, Stane asking if he knows anything about this. Tony confirms it was him, how Pepper and Rhodey know too. He's been creating suits connected to his Arc Reactor to help the villages they were bombing just last year. While Happy thinks that’s great Obadiah is furious.
He says how if Tony knew how to use Arc Reactor technology to make weapons should've used them with the Company, then he could've done the same thing, legally, while making them all billions. That his selfishness is going to drive Stark Industries into the ground, his legacy, their legacy! Tony explains how Stark Industries wouldn't use his suit to help the world, they would just sell it to the highest bidder. Obadiah dismisses his claims confessing that he doesn't give a damn about any of that and neither should he. Tony though says he can't see anything past his own greed and that Stark Industries deserves better than him. Obadiah quietly tells him fine and then walks out in a huff while Tony tells Happy "nice going" before walking out of the room too.
Seeking to find any other weapons delivered to the Ten Rings, Stark sends Pepper Potts to hack into the company computer system from Stane's office. She finds evidence of Stane supplying weapons to the terrorists but also discovers that Stane had originally hired the Ten Rings to kill Stark in Afghanistan, but the group reneged. Realizing the severity of this, Pepper tries to find out everything she can until Obadiah himself comes into the office. When he asks what she's doing Pepper lies that she was just looking for a pencil before closing all the files at the last second. Pepper then quickly paces outside where she meets with Phil Coulson of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, a counter-terrorism agency, to inform him of Stane's activities.
/ACT THREE/[]
Stane's scientists reveal that they cannot finish his suit as they cannot duplicate Stark's Arc Reactor. Stane argues if money's the problem he has offshore accounts all over the world he can use to expand the funding. The scientist explains more funding isn't the problem, he just doesn't think this is physically possible. Obadiah angrily yells that Tony Stark was able to build this in a cave, with a box of scraps. The scientist afterwards bluntly responds that he's not Tony Stark. Days later, Rhodey is giving a tour of the Edwards Air Force Base to a group of recruits until Pepper Potts comes to visit him. He tells the recruits to take five and asks Pepper what's up. She says that she wants to talk to him about Tony's new "hobby" to make sure he won't get be getting into any trouble over it.
Rhodey claims he won't tell anyone if that's what she's worried about, but that doesn't mean he likes this. Pepper asks why and Rhodey says because going out and dressing like a superhero right after ceasing weapon's production is essentially Tony's way of saying he can do a better job at protecting the world than the Military can, that's not something he can agree with. Pepper politely points out that he knows Tony is as just as big of a patriot as he is, and if he thinks there's something wrong with the way things currently are, maybe that's something worth looking into.
It shows Tony back in Malibu as he gets into his Limo with Happy Hogan driving. Happy thanks him for letting him keep being his chauffeur, that he agrees with him that using technology to save lives is really cool, and that Obadiah is only thinking with his wallet, not seeing the bigger picture. Happy then realizes Tony is still giving him the silent treatment and tells him a story about his parents, who wanted him to get a job that would make him a lot of money, but he wanted to be a boxer. He let his parents get to him and even though he loves working for Stark Industries he still wonders what could've been. If Tony listens to Obadiah and stops doing what he knows is right, he's going to regret it too. Tony though still says nothing and gets out at the Stark Industries Headquarters. While walking in by himself Tony gets a call from Rhodey who invites him to get drinks later like they used to, insisting that he wants to hear his side of the story.
Later that night, Obadiah visits Tony at the Mansion. He says how he's going out to meet Rhodey soon but Stane insists that he wants to talk first, which Tony agrees to. They sit down and Obadiah tells him a story about how he's spent thirty years building this company, and by extension Tony. He goes on about how he put up with his childishness, his bad habits, his rude behavior because he was at the end of the day a genius keeping everything going and the money coming in. Tony says how priorities have changed, but he still wants him to be his mentor, because despite what everyone else is saying he's the closest thing he has to a father and knows he can change just like he did. Stane then pulls out an auditory Control Device out of his pocket which paralyzes Tony in place before he can react.
Obadiah explains that he might still see him as a father, but he doesn't see him as a son, and he's not about to throw away his business just because he decided to grow a conscience. Stane then takes the Arc Reactor from Tony's chest and leaves him there, claiming he'll send someone for his corpse. At the bar, Rhodey is waiting for Tony to arrive and calls Pepper. He asks where Tony is and she says he should be at the bar with him, but Rhodey claims that Tony never showed at all. Pepper points out she hasn't spoken to him since she got off her shift early. When Rhodey asks why she did that Pepper explains how she went through Obadiah's computer and saw he's using the pieces of Tony's old suit from Afghanistan to make his own weaponized armor. Rhodey stops her there, saying how Tony's suit fell apart on foreign soil, it doesn't belong to the United States and that him taking it without registration is international theft. He asks her if she knows where Obadiah is and Pepper says he usually works late at the Stark Industries Headquarters. Rhodey instructs her to call the police and that he's going to check on Tony.
Left to die, Stark manages to crawl to his lab. As he crawls over to it Tony lacks the strength to stand up and can't reach it. Rhodey fortunately arrives just in time and breaks open the case, installing the Arc Reactor into Tony's chest and saving his life. After recovering he tells Rhodey everything that happened. He assures him that Pepper is leading Stane to the police right now but that only causes Tony to panic, saying how if Obadiah completes his suit with the Arc Reactor he's going to be able to hurt a lot of people, that he needs to stop him. Tony then quickly puts on his Iron Man suit, which Rhodey seems very impressed with and flies off to confront Obadiah. Rhodey then looks at the Mark II suit on display inside the lab and simply says "Next time". Potts and several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents attempt to arrest Stane, but he dons his suit and attacks them.
Stark fights Stane, but is outmatched without his new reactor to run his suit at full capacity. The battle is intense and Iron Monger manages to overpower Iron Man, telling him how by trying to rid the world of weapons he made its best one ever. Tony insists not for him as he blasts Obadiah's Arc Reactor overloading it with so much energy that it explodes and kills him, destroying the Iron Monger armor and severely damaging Iron Man's too. Tony, despite his wounds, survives. After recovering, Tony is sitting with Pepper thanking her for all her help and she insists like always, it's her pleasure. Right before they're about to kiss Happy comes in and says how it's time for the Press Meeting. Before he goes to prepare Tony shows Happy something, he had a boxing ring installed into the Mansion and says he can work out there whenever he wants, much to his delight. Rhodey then starts going over with Tony the elaborate story they both came up with about Iron Man being his bodyguard to keep his secret identity. Just as he memorizes it and is about to go out Tony asks Rhodey if he still doesn't approve of this. Rhodey admits after what Obadiah did, he has mixed feelings. Tony though acknowledges he always thought that he had a point and then goes out to the podium. At the press conference, Stark begins giving the cover story, but then announces that he is Iron Man.
/END CREDITS/[]
Afterwards, Nick Fury visits Stark at his home, stating that Iron Man is not "the only superhero in the world," and wants to discuss the Avengers Initiative.
The second end credits scene cuts to a silhouetted figure overseeing multiple television sets. Many contain the Ten Rings symbol, presidential new coverages, security cameras of everyday people, all but one. One that contains footage of Tony's capture by the Ten Rings. The figure places his hand on the screen, and Stark's head. All of a sudden, the figure clenches his fist and breaks the screen. A soldier arrives and tells the figure that Obadiah is dead and that the Ten Rings must continue with their plans. The figure speaks in Chinese, telling him that it'll be taken care of, and that the West will fear the power of.. and he takes off his green hood, revealing a middle aged Asian man with long, brown hair and a scowl. He finishes his sentence in English: The Mandarin.
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