In 2008 , Jon Favreau’sIron Manlanded in theaters . It was n’t the comic book movie upshot of the year   — that distinction goes to Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight — but it was a close instant . Through subsequence , crossovers , and “ Phases,”Iron Manhas grown intothe Marvel Cinematic Universe , the biggest movie enfranchisement in film story . The influence on next MCU pic can be seen unmortgaged as day inIron Man . It ’s clear that Marvel has kept what influence inIron Manclose to heart when train subsequent movies . Here are the 10 Most Important WaysIron ManInfluenced The respite Of The MCU Movies .

The villain dies at the end

One of the most common criticisms levied against the MCU is thatits villains are n’t most as exhaustively developed as its zep . This can be attributed to heroes like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers getting multi - movie arc , totaling several hour of screen time ( and story train of thought ) , whereas most villains are kill by the ending of their first movie . There are exceptions to this , like Thanos and Loki , but these tend to place upright out as the franchise ’s practiced scoundrel , cement the thesis that multi - movie spark can be used to further a scoundrel ’s character development in the MCU . Obadiah Stane cut back most MCU villains to one - and - done appearances with his expiry .

Outside-the-box casting

There have been many rumors revolving around who was considered for the theatrical role of Tony Stark . Tom Cruise insists he wasn’tas near to getting the role as the media has job , but he would ’ve been a safer stakes in 2008 than Robert Downey , Jr. , who was considered to be more of a risk of exposure . Looking back , there was no one more suited for the theatrical role of Stark than Downey . The MCU ’s throw away genius Sarah Finn has sustain the notion of outside - the - box casting in mind for future movies , like wander Chris Pratt as Peter Quill , or Paul Rudd as Scott Lang .

The hero is surrounded by a surrogate family

Very few MCU heroes are surround by their biologic families   — rather , there ’s a centering on loving the family that isolated people find in other people . Obadiah Stane is a father soma to Tony Stark , James Rhodes is like a blood brother to him , he has a well-disposed relationship with his escort , Happy Hogan   — no one in Tony ’s lifetime is technically related to him , but they are his family . The Guardians of the Galaxy are each other ’s only folk ; Scott Lang screwed up his first attempt at phratry biography , but he ’s set up a unexampled purpose with Hank and Hope and made amends with his ex - wife ; Stephen Strange is magically endear to his fellow Masters of the Mystic Arts , in particular Wong .

The villain is an evil reflection of the hero

To be fair , compose theory teach that this is the best way to make a compelling villain , so it ’s not   as much a way thatIron Maninfluenced the MCU as it is a manner that structural musical theme act upon storytelling , but it ’s prevalent nevertheless . Obadiah Stane represents the tyrannical malefic genius who could take Howard Stark ’s company and habituate it to dominate the military - industrial coordination compound by funding terrorist organizations .

Tony Stark wants to utilize   his father ’s company for good , by using its resource for more ethical role . Loki is the “ bootleg sheep ” of the Asgardian royal family , while Thor is Odin ’s biological inheritor   and the substance of attention . Red Skull wants to use a first-rate - soldier serum to win World War II for the Axis powers , whileSteve Rogers wants to use one to acquire it for the Allies .

Everything’s at stake in the third-act showdown with the villain

The MCU is often criticized for its predictable third - human activity battles , but they ’re not predictable merely because we know there ’s going to be a big battle in the third act in which the heroes triumph , although that is the expectation . The actual beats of the action can be foretell . The battles all follow pretty traditional structure . The hero , or hero , entertain their own against the baddie , or baddie , before the villain starts winning ( Ego gains mogul , Dormammu arrives ) , everything is of a sudden at stake ( Yellowjacket take Cassie surety , the Helicarriers are in the sky ) , and the hero makes a snap determination to risk everything to defeat the villain ( Tony sacrifices himself to use the Infinity Stones ) . InIron Man , these beats are followed to a T , setting the level for future third - act battles .

The love interest has to “fix” the hero

Iron Manintroduced the approximation of a blemished protagonist ( Tony Stark , the flag-waving , carefree , liquor - plume , radical - privileged billionaire ) and their romantic interest ( Pepper Potts , who gets no quotation for fundamentally running Tony ’s company while he drinks and gambles ) who has to “ fix ” them . Gamora wo n’t see Peter Quill until he grow up . Rachel McAdams ’ Christine Palmer is remaining friends with Stephen Strange until he ’s less of a saccade and then they can rekindle their evanesce romance . Black Panthernicely subverted this , presenting T’Challa ’s ex-husband Nakia ( Lupita Nyong’o ) as a supportive friend and not a “ reward ” for the hero for vote down the villain .

The hero is a man-child

The most common agonist in the MCU is the man - child who needs to grow up . Tony Stark is selfish , indolent and entitled , and he needs to discover to respect other people and take responsibility for his actions . This was carried over into many subsequent MCU protagonist : Thor , who is 1,500 years old with the emotional intelligence of a adolescent ; Peter Quill , who was abducted by alien at the age of eight andis still an ‘ 80s small fry at ticker , with a Walkman and a snarky attitude ; and Scott Lang , whoundercuts every dramatic instant with a joketo deflect his truthful emotions .

Daddy issues

All throughoutIron Man , Tony Stark is haunted by his beginner ’s legacy . He ’s also appalled to reveal that his father figure , Obadiah Stane , wants to   take over his company and use it to fund terrorism , and even paid terrorists to kill him . pappa issues would become a immense recurring root word in the MCU .

Spider - Man ’s villains have all been dark paternal figures , Gamora and Nebula have a messed - up relationship with their adopted father Thanos , Peter Quill ’s biological father was a genocidal planet who killed his mother , and Thor has many undetermined issuance with Odin ( “ You are an older man and a fool ! ” ) .

Quippy, semi-improvised dialogue

Jon Favreau and his squad commence shootingIron Manwithout a pure handwriting . They took the write up scene by view , perplex by beat , and grant the actors the freedom to improvise lines . Robert Downey , Jr. conduce the commission , ad - libbing such iconic moments as the concluding “ I am Iron Man ” sting . He embody Tony Stark and started snap quips at all his Centennial State - stars . This has led the “ sarcastic sally ” to become the MCU ’s most hard - used rule for duologue . This was cement when Joss Whedon   — the lord of quippy duologue between many typical character   — was hired to write and directThe Avengers . Marvel has also encouraged more extemporization in late films , especially inThor : Ragnarok , Ant - Man , andGuardians of the Galaxy .

Post-credits scenes setting up the next movie

The mid - course credit and post - credit view are the base of the MCU . The enfranchisement has utilise them beautifully to tease future events and crossovers . Iron Man ’s post - credits scene is the ultimate example , with Samuel L. Jackson ’s Nick Fury pitch a meta monologue to wonder lover in the audience : “ Mr. Stark , you ’ve become part of a bigger population … I’m here to sing to you about the Avenger Initiative . ” All of a sudden , comic book readers across the world got worked up to see Earth ’s mightiest hoagy oppose alongside each other on the braggart blind . The Avengers ’ post - credits setting got us excited for Thanos , Captain America : Civil War ’s mid - credits scenegot us aroused for Wakanda , Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2 ’s first of many credits scenes stick us frantic for Adam Warlock   — the post - credits vexer is Marvel ’s ace in the jam .

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Iron-Man-2008

MCU villain deaths

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MCU surrogate families

MCU antagonists

MCU final battles

MCU love interests

MCU man-child characters

MCU fathers

MCU improv

MCU post-credits scene

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