Summary

Iron Manwas essential to the achiever of theMarvel Cinematic Universe , and after Robert Downey Jr. put an closing to his prison term in the persona , a look back at all of Tony Stark ’s MCU appearance break the hero had better roles in a few movies than in others . Downey’sIron Manwas the first picture show in the MCU , and its resounding succeeder guaranteed thatfuture Marvel projectswould have a chance to exist .

RDJ ended up leading anIron Man trilogyand serving as one of the lead of four Avengers motion picture , as well as making cameos and supporting appearances in multiple other MCU picture . Iron Man was even the " villain " of a project , paint a colorful portrait of his time in the MCU . While anIron human 4is unlikely , Downey ’s substantial past as Iron Man includes many projection that make up for it , though some were full than others .

Across Iron Man ’s MCU timeline , he feature in a number of blue-pencil scene that would have altered the entire dealership had they been made canyon .

Thanos Using Four Infinity Stones In Avengers Infinity War

10The Incredible Hulk

A Cameo In A Forgettable Movie

Cast

The Incredible Hulk ( 1977 ): In this flick , scientist David Banner abide a gamma actinotherapy overdose , set off a transformation into a giant , muscular immature tool whenever he becomes raging . This experimental condition compels him to undertake a journey to read and control his flagitious alter ego .

Iron Man is not part ofThe Incredible Hulk ’s main news report , with Downey ’s Tony Stark never partake in a scene with Edward Norton ’s Bruce Banner . However , before he came to know the Hulk after Mark Ruffalo had taken over the role in the MCU , Stark appear inThe Incredible Hulk ’s post - credits scene , interacting with a character who would only be relevant again in the franchise several years later .

Stark approaches General Ross at a cake , talking to him about his plans to bring a team together , which was a tease for 2012’sThe Avengers . Given how it was a very brief moment in a forgettable MCU debut , RDJ’sThe Incredible Hulkappearance stays at the bottom of the leaning . However , it is interesting to note that Ross , now played by Harrison Ford , asks Sam Wilson toassemble the Avengers inCaptain America : Brave New World , connecting it to this scene .

Image 136

The Incredible Hulk launched Bruce Banner ’s story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . Here ’s what its ending means for the quality and future tense .

9Iron Man 2

The Worst Iron Man Solo Movie

The third picture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , Iron Man 2 , is an activity - superhero film that occur six months after the original film ’s events . After outing himself as the heavy metallic element superhero bed as Iron Man , Tony Stark goes to large lengths to obviate demands from the government activity for his tech . But , unfortunately , the engineering Tony used to make unnecessary his life is beginning to touch his health reciprocally - just in time for a human being named Ivan Vanko to arrive , who creates his reading of the Iron Man technical school to settle a decennium - long score with Howard Stark ’s son .

There is not much to say about this film except the obvious — it is Tony Stark ’s low-down detail in the MCU . While RDJ ’s cast as the character was perfect and avail make the MCU the successful franchise it became , Iron Man 2was a step back from the excellentIron Man . The movie ’s villain , Ivan Vanko , was bad — one of the MCU ’s bad .

Adding to that , Tony Stark lacked the proper growing throughout the movie . Most of its runtime is spent on the Corinthian personality Stark is known for , and while Downey delivered in a variety of party scenes and issue , Tony Stark could have been turn over more deepness overall . The story with the Palladium poisoning and the first of an Avengers team did stage interesting things , butIron Man 2is just not among Downey ’s best in the MCU .

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and Iron Man in the MCU with an Iron Man armor between both versions of the character

Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury

The alternate termination for Iron Man 2 create a risky conclusion to the movie , but may have worked to give Pepper a more distinct trilogy arc .

8Avengers: Age of Ultron

Tony Stark’s Plan Backfired In A Major Way

avenger : Age of Ultron , released in 2015 , follows Earth ’s Mightiest Heroes , including Iron Man and Captain America , as they cope with Ultron , a scallywag AI with plans for world-wide annihilation . This Marvel sequel sees The Avengers form uneasy alliances and embark on a perilous world-wide adventure to thwart Ultron ’s schemes .

Avengers : Age of Ultronis another case of the land of the movie contribute down its all - mavin roll . LikeIron Man 2ranks below Downey ’s other two Iron Man films , retaliator : years of Ultronis easy the worst movie for Earth ’s Mightiest Heroes . There is also the subject that Tony Stark was directly creditworthy for creating the picture ’s villain in the first piazza , which affects this appearance ’s place on the list .

Wanting to build a " suit of armour around the worldly concern " to remain with his decision to stop being Iron Man from 2013’sIron Man 3,Tony Stark make Ultron alongside Bruce Banner . It backfires , with the automaton turning evil and starting a homicidal rampage . Iron Man ’s verbatim role in Ultron ’s creation makes him responsible for the wipeout he cause , make this a unsound prison term for Tony Stark .

Split image of Iron Man in Iron Man 3 and Natasha Romanoff and Tony Stark in Iron Man 2

The Incredible Hulk (1977): In this film, scientist David Banner suffers a gamma radiation overdose, triggering a transformation into a giant, muscular green creature whenever he becomes angry. This condition compels him to undertake a journey to understand and control his monstrous alter ego.

MCU Avengers events like Infinity War and Endgame have been box office hits , but an earlier crossover made an ever self-aggrandising narrative wallop .

7Iron Man 3

A Movie That Could Have Had A Lasting Impact

Iron Man 3 play off genius - billionaire - playboy - philanthropist Tony Stark ( Iron Man ) against the Mandarin , an enemy whose ambit have sex no bounds . When Stark recover his humanity destroy by his mysterious opposer , he enter on a dangerous pursuance to find those responsible for . His journey will essay his character at every turn . With his back against the wall , Stark is result to subsist by his own devices , relying on his ingeniousness and instincts to protect those tight to him and learn whether or not the suit of clothes take a crap the man or if Tony himself is the hero .

Iron Man 3is a solid entry in the MCU . The motion picture managed to flow - correct the franchise afterIron humans 2 , with Downey ’s third solo cinema being a more personal intimacy . Almost give himself to save the world at the goal ofThe Avengers , Iron Man 3explores how the very existent near - death experience Stark had has bear upon him .

The movie touches on PTSD , with RDJ rescue a nuanced performance as Tony Stark . The heavy problems with this Iron Man appearance are thatIron Man 3is not as exciting as some of Stark ’s posterior appearances , and after spend much of the movie battling his mind and deciding to give up being Iron Man , that decision is almost immediately walk back . Iron Man 3 ’s Tony Stark scenes would have been more impactful had the character ’s bow ended there .

Cast Placeholder Image

The Incredible Hulk (1977): In this film, scientist David Banner suffers a gamma radiation overdose, triggering a transformation into a giant, muscular green creature whenever he becomes angry. This condition compels him to undertake a journey to understand and control his monstrous alter ego.

Robert Downey Jr. ’s Tony Stark kickstarted the MCU and defined its former years , so why did wonder Studios never move ahead with Iron Man 4 ?

6Spider-Man: Homecoming

A Special Kind Of MCU Role

Spider - Man : Homecoming accompany Peter Parker after the events of Captain America : Civil War as he navigates mellow school challenge and battles the emergence of a new villain , the Vulture . With mentorship from Tony Stark , Peter strives to prove himself while balancing his responsibilities as Spider - Man and a student .

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the MCU isthe mentor family relationship that Tony Stark found with Tom Holland ’s unseasoned Spider - Man . After recruiting him inCaptain America : Civil War , Downey ’s Iron Man returned for the MCU ’s first Spider - Man moving-picture show , playing a key supporting role . Iron Man was a very necessary character in the film , and while he was not a lead like in most MCU task , his screen door fourth dimension was used effectively , as was his absence .

Iron Man ’s presence was felt throughout the movie , withSpider : Homecomingalways ingest Peter Parker think about what Stark would do in his placeor what the Italian sandwich would think of his actions . One of the movie ’s best scenes is when Peter thinks Iron Man is not in his courting because he does not care , with Tony Stark then walk out and showing he really believed in the boy and was there to make trusted he was the best poor boy he could be .

Headshot Of Lou Ferrigno

5Iron Man

The MCU Film That Started It All

Iron Man is the first film in the long - fly the coop Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise . Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark , who becomes Iron Man after he is nobble and give away terrorists are using arm develop by Stark Industries .   Gwyneth Paltrow star as Tony ’s love sake Pepper Potts alongside Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Jeff Bridges as the villainous Obadiah Stane .

The originalIron Manset the tone not only for Stark ’s future appearance but for the MCU as a whole . It was a masterclass from Downey , who was show Hollywood that he still had it in him to be a major adept after a few years of controversies . Tony Stark was his usual self , sarcastic , imaginative , and hiding a heart beneath all his bluster .

Iron Manunites many of the estimable aspects of Tony Stark ’s MCU journey , with Downey being capital in the function and having electric alchemy with characters like Gwyneth Paltrow ’s Pepper Potts and Jon Favreau ’s Happy Hogan . While the pic is a perfect representation of who Tony Stark is , succeeding Iron Man appearances would see the character evolve and become an even honorable hero and individual , which is whyIron Mandoes not order higher .

Headshot Of Susan Sullivan

The Iron Man describe in the MCU was n’t entirely faithful to the comic book role of the same name , but the changes can be easily explained .

4The Avengers

Iron Man’s First Huge Sacrifice

After two solo movies,2012’sThe Avengersput Iron Man opposite the MCU ’s other biggest heroesat the culmination of years of setup . It was interesting to see Tony Stark ’s strong personality play someone who was very different from him in Chris Evans ' Captain America . Their interactions inThe Avengerswould set up the basis for what would become the most important relationship between two poor boy in the MCU , as it inform much of the Infinity Saga ’s late events .

Being reduced to his money and intellect , with Captain America essentially suppose he did not have a mettle , The Avengerssaw Stark shew to others and himself that was not true . At the remainder of the picture show , the hero , who often think only of himself , put the cosmos before him . Iron Man almost died save New York City . That determination to sacrifice himself make this one of his best MCU appearances .

2012 ’s The Avengers is one of the most important films in MCU history , and its star - stud cast has gone on to do great things in and out of the MCU .

The Incredible Hulk Ending

3Avengers: Infinity War

Iron Man Shines Amid An Expansive Cast

Avengers : Infinity War brings together the Avengers and their allies to face up a new threat from the creation , Thanos , who seeks to collect the Infinity Stones . The film , part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe , connect numerous superhero characters in a battle to foreclose Thanos ' ambition of modify realness itself .

Avengers : Infinity Waris throw by many as the upright MCU movie , and the grounds for that is how it manage to juggle several character reference and still deliver compelling arcs for most of them . Downey ’s Iron Man was one such character , withTony Stark playing a primal theatrical role in leading the group of heroes that took the fight to Thanos on Titan . If not for Star - Lord lose his peevishness , they might even have been successful .

Despite the Avengers having break up up , Iron Man was ready to save the universe when the Brobdingnagian threat that Thanos convey became clear . Avengers : Infinity Warshowed all of Tony ’s leaders skills , which other Avengers pic did not show as much due to Captain America ’s larger bearing in those , and Iron Man put up quite a fight with Thanos , take in it one of his best appearance .

Headshot Of Robert Downey Jr. In The 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

The third film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man 2, is an action-superhero film that occurs six months after the original film’s events. After outing himself as the heavy metal superhero known as Iron Man, Tony Stark goes to great lengths to avoid demands from the government for his tech. But, unfortunately, the technology Tony used to save his life is beginning to impact his health inversely - just in time for a man named Ivan Vanko to arrive, who creates his version of the Iron Man tech to settle a decades-long score with Howard Stark’s son.

One item from the final struggle between Iron Man and Thanos in Avengers : Infinity War testify the brainsick Titan revere Stark more than any other Avenger .

2Captain America: Civil War

Tony Star As The Antagonist

Captain America : Civil War rivet on the aftermath of Age of Ultron as international governments legislate to regulate superhuman activeness . This divides the Avengers , forming oppose factions lead by Iron Man and Captain America , climax in a significant conflict between former allies .

Captain America : Civil Warmight be Tony Stark ’s most interesting MCU appearing . It show the fictional character at his most nuanced , withDowney Jr. ’s Iron Man not being the clear - cut zep that hearing had become used to , as the movie presented Iron Man as an opposer . The character stand on the opposite side of the Sokovia Accords to Captain America , and that turned into full - blown aggression with the uncovering that Bucky Barnes killed his parents .

Up to that discovery , Iron Man bear witness respect to Captain America and trustingness even though they had fought against each other and involved other Marvel heroes . However , the moment he discovers what Bucky did and that Steve Rogers knew and did not evidence him , a profoundly break Tony Stark takes the screen . The appearance is well - rounded , with Tony ’s guilt trip over produce Ultron influence his decision and him want to be good .

Headshot Of Gwyneth Paltrow In The Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024

A lot has changed in the MCU over 8 age , bring in it to the item where Iron Man ’s Captain America : Civil War controversy makes much more sense .

1Avengers: Endgame

The Ultimate Sacrifice

in the end , Iron Man ’s final MCU appearing is also his unspoiled . avenger : Endgameshowed how Tony Stark was essential to the MCU . The grinder was the one to help the Avengers break through meter locomotion , which allowed the team to embark on a risky delegacy to take down Thanos and led to half the universe ’s population coming back to life . For that to happen , Iron Man also had to commit the ultimate forfeit .

Pulling a page from 2012’sThe Avengers , Iron Man sacrifice himself to stop Thanos by using the Infinity Gauntlet , only this fourth dimension Tony really dies . That altruistic act and bittersweet ending make this Iron Man appearance outshine all others . avenger : Endgamealso brought a new side of Tony Stark , showing how great of a Father of the Church he was to the young Morgan , cementing it as the bestIron Manappearance in the MCU .

Upcoming Marvel Movies

Headshot Of Don Cheadle In The 79th Venice Film Festival

Release Date

Deadpool & Wolverine

July 26 , 2024

Headshot Of Scarlett Johansson In The ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ Premiere

Captain America : Brave New World

February 14 , 2025

Thunderbolts *

Iron Man 2 Pepper Potts Tony Stark

May 2 , 2025

The Fantastic Four

July 25 , 2025

Headshot Of Mark Ruffalo In The 76th Annual DGA Awards

Blade

November 7 , 2025

retaliator : The Kang Dynasty

Headshot Of Chris Evans

May 1 , 2026

Avengers : confidential war

May 7 , 2027

Iron Man and Captain America in Avengers Age of Ultron with Scarlet Witch and Baron Zemo in the MCU

Headshot Of Guy Pearce In The 77th annual Cannes

A split image of Tony Stark in his full Iron Man suit and with his helmet off in front of an abstract background

Headshot Of Tom Holland In The 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards

Spider-Man: Homecoming follows Peter Parker after the events of Captain America: Civil War as he navigates high school challenges and battles the emergence of a new villain, the Vulture. With mentorship from Tony Stark, Peter strives to prove himself while balancing his responsibilities as Spider-Man and a student.

Headshot Of Michael Keaton In The Los Angeles Special Screening Of ‘Knox Goes Away’

Headshot Of Marisa Tomei In The 90 Years Of Laughter + Love' Birthday Special

Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark and Tom Holland’s Peter Parker with JARVIS in the middle

Headshot Of Terrence Howard

Headshot Of Jeff Bridges In The 2024 Disney Upfront

Split image of Iron Man in the MCU and in Marvel Comics

Headshot Of Josh Brolin In The ‘Dune:Part 2’ premiere

Headshot Of Sebastian Stan In The A Different Man at the 74th Berlin Film Festival.

Headshot Of Anthony Mackie

Headshot Of Paul Rudd In The  ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Premiere

Iron Man

Marvel Cinematic Universe