Super Rant Rewatch: 2008’s Iron Man Really Was The MCU’s Perfect Foundation

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Looking back at the 2008 film Iron Man is especially enjoyable now that we’ve seen how huge the Marvel Cinematic Universe became. Back then, Marvel Studios took a real gamble on a lesser-known hero, an unproven idea of a connected universe, and a lead actor who wasn’t a huge star…but it completely worked out.

It’s been almost twenty years since Marvel took a big risk by launching its interconnected cinematic universe, and looking back, it feels legendary. Now, as we approach the finale of the second major phase of the MCU with Avengers: Doomsday, I revisited the film that started it all – 2008’s Iron Man – and here are my key thoughts from that rewatch.

2008’s Iron Man: The MCU Couldn’t Have Had A Better First Movie

The success of Iron Man lies in its humble beginnings. Before the massive, universe-spanning conflicts of later Marvel movies, the MCU started with a personal story: a man dealing with the repercussions of his past actions.

What makes Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark so compelling is how he transforms into a hero, starting as a selfish billionaire who initially only looked out for himself.

Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as Iron Man was key to the success of the first movie in 2008, and it continued to be a major strength for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe in all his later roles.

He’s incredibly charismatic and engaging, but the story also reveals his hidden vulnerabilities and genuine goodness. These qualities become clear as we see how he was stripped of his advantages and ego while held hostage by the Ten Rings in Afghanistan.

After being rescued and building his first armored suit with Ho Yinsen, Tony Stark emerged from the cave a changed man, determined to live a more meaningful life.

Jon Favreau’s directing was crucial to the MCU’s success, arguably laying the foundation for everything that followed. He didn’t just introduce a fantastic hero, but crafted a story strong enough to succeed even without the larger Marvel universe.

It’s important to remember that the ending of 2008’s Iron Man remains one of the most iconic in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead of following SHIELD’s plan to present himself as a bodyguard, Tony Stark boldly reveals his true identity: “I am Iron Man.” The press goes wild as Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” song plays just before the credits begin.

Even after watching it countless times, the final scene with Iron Man still gives me goosebumps.

Part Of A Bigger Universe: It’s Fun To Look Back At The MCU’s Inception

Looking back at the Marvel Cinematic Universe today, rewatching Iron Man feels like seeing the very beginning of something huge. It wasn’t just the introduction of Nick Fury and the hint of the Avengers in the after-credits scene—it truly set everything in motion.

Looking back at the film as a whole, it’s really enjoyable to notice all the subtle connections and how little details end up being important years later in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A great example of this is Tony Stark’s AI helper, JARVIS, who eventually evolves into the character Vision in the 2015 movie Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Even before Samuel L. Jackson appeared as Nick Fury in the post-credits scene of Iron Man, S.H.I.E.L.D. was subtly present throughout the movie. Agent Coulson and repeated references to the organization’s lengthy name were running jokes, with the acronym finally revealed at the very end.

Back in the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, no one could have predicted how important Clark Gregg’s character, Coulson, would become. He was a key emotional figure in bringing the Avengers together in 2012, and went on to star in his own TV show that lasted for seven seasons.

We also see Rhodey looking at Tony’s early War Machine armor – the first glimpse of his transformation in Iron Man 2, and a character who would become a key part of the MCU, later played by Don Cheadle. The Ten Rings organization also gains much more significance, notably in Iron Man 3 (2013) and Shang-Chi (2021).

What’s truly impressive is that despite being so interconnected, Iron Man still works brilliantly as its own movie, while also cleverly setting the stage for everything the Marvel Cinematic Universe would become.

Ahead of Avengers: Doomsday, I’m Really Hoping Iron Man’s Legacy Is Respected/Honored

With the upcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday and Robert Downey Jr. set to play Doctor Doom, Iron Man’s story is likely to remain important. The directors, the Russo Brothers, have hinted that Downey Jr. was cast as Doom specifically to demonstrate the potential of the multiverse, implying a connection to Iron Man even after his character’s death in the 2019 film Avengers: Endgame.

Tony Stark’s story reached a beautiful conclusion in Avengers: Endgame. The way his first declaration of being Iron Man – initially a proud announcement to the world – evolved into a completely selfless act of sacrifice in Endgame is one of the most rewarding moments in movie history.

As a huge fan, I truly believe the Infinity Saga wouldn’t have been the same without Iron Man’s complete arc. What made Tony Stark so compelling was that we saw him as a flawed, relatable person before he became the hero we know. It was a brilliant way to build an emotional connection with the audience, and it created an amazing cinematic legacy. I’m really hoping the upcoming film doesn’t diminish that by bringing Robert Downey Jr. back – it would be heartbreaking to see that story tarnished.

With Marvel Studios gearing up for huge team-up events like Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars to conclude the Multiverse Saga, fans are hoping that Iron Man’s impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be properly celebrated and remembered.

Even after 18 years, the 2008 film Iron Man remains the cornerstone of everything fans enjoy about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it launched what many consider to be the best on-screen story for that particular hero. I’m really hoping the upcoming film, Doomsday, will build on that incredible foundation and make the legacy even stronger.

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2026-02-21 19:49