Iron Man made post-credits a Hollywood trend.
In 2008, Marvel Studios released “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. The film was a massive success. It grossed over $585 million worldwide. Additionally, it revitalized the career of Downey Jr. It also marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. John Favreau directed the film written by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway.
It told the story of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist who created a high-tech suit of armor to fight against terrorism and other threats. The film was praised for its humor, action, and performances, particularly Downey Jr.’s portrayal of the charismatic and flawed hero. What made “Iron Man” unique was its post-credits scene, in which Samuel L. Jackson appeared as Nick Fury, a character from Marvel Comics. He visits Stark to talk about the “Avengers Initiative.” This was the first hint that Marvel planned to create a shared universe of films based on its comic book characters, which had never been done before in Hollywood.
Marvel had been struggling in the movie business for years, licensing its characters to other studios and seeing mixed results. The success of “Iron Man” allowed Marvel to take control of its destiny and build a cinematic universe that would capture the imaginations of audiences worldwide. Over the next several years, Marvel released a series of interconnected films that introduced new characters like Thor, Captain America, and the Hulk and brought them together in the blockbuster “Avengers” in 2012.
After three more Avengers and dozens of films since the Marvel Cinematic Universe became a cultural phenomenon. Diehard fans eagerly anticipate each new release and discuss the intricate connections between the movie.
The success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has inspired other studios to try to replicate its formula.
Still, they have yet to match its popularity and critical acclaim. The franchise has also changed Hollywood’s thinking about blockbuster filmmaking. Many filmmakers now emphasize the importance of world-building and character development over simple spectacle. Iron Man remains a beloved and influential film, not just because it was the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but because it was a great movie in its own right. Downey Jr.’s performance as Tony Stark set the standard for the other actors joining the franchise. Favreau’s direction helped establish the tone and style of the MCU. The MCU has become a cultural touchstone, and it all started with one genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist in a suit of armor.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.