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{{Classical|class=stub|auto=yes}}
{{Infobox Film
{{WPBiography
|name = Iron Man
|living=no
|image = Ironmanposter.JPG
|class=Stub
|caption = Theatrical Poster
|priority=
|director = [[Jon Favreau]]
|auto=yes
|producer = [[Avi Arad]]<br />Kevin Feige
|musician-work-group=yes
|writer = '''Screenplay:'''<br />[[John August]]<br />''(uncredited)''<br />Mark Fergus<br />Hawk Ostby<br />Arthur Marcum<br />Matthew Hollaway<br />'''Comic Book:'''<br />[[Stan Lee]]<br />[[Larry Lieber]]<br />[[Don Heck]]<br />[[Jack Kirby]]
|starring = [[Robert Downey, Jr.|Robert Downey Jr.]]<br />[[Gwyneth Paltrow]]<br />[[Jeff Bridges]]<br />[[Terrence Howard]]
|music = [[Ramin Djawadi]]
|cinematography = [[Matthew Libatique]]
|editing = Dan Lebental
|distributor = [[Paramount Pictures]]
|released = May 2, 2008
|runtime = 126 min.
|country = United States
|website = http://www.ironmanmovie.com
|language = [[English language|English]]
|budget = [[US dollar|$]]135 million<ref>{{cite news |author= Horn, John |title=Will Iron Man be the summer's strongman? |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=[[2008-04-17]] |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-word17apr17,0,4090885.story |accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref>
|gross = $575.2 million
|followed_by =
|amg_id = 1:353425
|imdb_id = 0371746
}}
}}
{{WikiProject France|class=stub|importance= }}
<!-- Note: lead does not require cites, as it summarizes uncontroversial information cited within the article body.-->
'''''Iron Man''''' is a [[2008 in film|2008]] [[superhero film]] based on the [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Iron Man|of the same name]]. Directed by [[Jon Favreau]], the film stars [[Robert Downey, Jr.|Robert Downey Jr.]] as Tony Stark, a [[billionaire]] [[industrialist]] and master [[engineering|engineer]] with a plethora of playboy vices who builds a [[Iron Man's armor#Live-action film|powered exoskeleton]] and becomes the technologically advanced [[superhero]], [[Iron Man]]. [[Gwyneth Paltrow]] plays his personal assistant [[Pepper Potts]], [[Terrence Howard]] plays military liaison [[War Machine|James Rhodes]] and [[Jeff Bridges]] plays Stark Industries executive [[Iron Monger|Obadiah Stane]].


Citation needed regarding his brother Neil. Per the Hindenburg passenger list at http://www.nlhs.com/passenger-list.htm he was not aboard the craft.
The film was in development since 1990 at [[Universal Studios]], [[20th Century Fox]], and [[New Line Cinema]], before [[Marvel Studios]] reacquired the rights in 2006. Marvel put the project in production as their first self-financed film. Favreau signed on as director, aiming for a [[Naturalism (literature)|naturalistic]] feel, and he chose to shoot the film primarily in [[California]], rejecting the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] setting of the comics to differentiate the film from numerous superhero films set in [[New York City]]-esque environments. During filming, the actors were free to create their own dialogue because preproduction was focused on the story and action. Rubber and metal versions of the armors, created by [[Stan Winston]]'s company, were mixed with [[computer-generated imagery]] to create the title character.
:Removed the statement due to no reference being cited, and given the link above. [[User:M A Mason|M A Mason]] 20:25, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

[[Marvel Studios]] and [[Paramount Pictures]], the distributor, planned a $50 million marketing campaign for the film, which was modeled on Paramount's successful promotion of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''; [[Hasbro]] and [[Sega]] sold merchandise, and [[product placement]] deals were made with [[Audi]], [[Burger King]], [[LG]] and [[7-Eleven]]. Reviews were positive, particularly praising Downey's performance. The film's stars have signed on for two sequels, the first of them scheduled for release on May 7, 2010, while Downey also makes a [[cameo appearance]] as Stark in ''[[The Incredible Hulk (film)|The Incredible Hulk]]''.

==Plot==
[[Iron Man| Tony Stark]] ([[Robert Downey, Jr.|Robert Downey Jr.]]) avoids his own Apogee Awards ceremony to gamble at a [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] casino, leaving his deceased father's friend and business partner, [[Obadiah Stane]] ([[Jeff Bridges]]) to collect the award. As Stark leaves the casino with his entourage, he is approached by [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] reporter Christine Everhart ([[Leslie Bibb]]), whom he charms into a [[one-night stand]] at his [[Malibu, California|Malibu]] house. As she awakens in the morning, she is escorted from the house by [[Pepper Potts]], Stark's personal assistant ([[Gwyneth Paltrow]]), who reveals that Stark is away on a business trip. During the business trip to [[Afghanistan]] to demonstrate [[Stark Industries]]' new weapon, the "Jericho" [[cluster bomb|cluster missile]], Tony Stark's military convoy is attacked. In the ensuing firefight, Stark is wounded by one of his own company's bombs, which knocks him unconscious and embeds [[shrapnel]] in his chest, one fragment dangerously close to his heart. Waking up hours later in an Afghan cave, Stark discovers an electromagnet attached to his chest, powered by a car battery and designed to keep the shrapnel from piercing his heart and killing him.

Stark has been captured by the terrorist group known as the Ten Rings, who order him to build a Jericho missile for them. Instead, during the three months of his captivity, he and fellow captive [[Ho Yinsen|Dr. Yinsen]] ([[Shaun Toub]]) begin building a miniature "[[Iron Man's armor#Arc reactor|arc reactor]]", a smaller version of a power source previously invented by Tony Stark's father, Howard Stark. With the reactor powering his electromagnet, Stark and Yinsen secretly build a crude but strong [[Iron Man's armor#Live-action film|power armor]] as a means of escape. Unfortunately, the process of activating the armor takes more time than expected and Yinsen hurries out to buy time. Once the armor is ready, Stark charges through the caves. Near the exit, he comes across a dying Yinsen, who tells him "Don't waste your life." Upon leaving Yinsen, Stark burns all the Stark Industries munitions the terrorists have accumulated and then attempts to fly away, only to crash into the desert a few miles away. After being rescued by his friend and [[Civil-Military Co-operation#Doctrine|company military liaison]] [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[War Machine|James Rhodes]] ([[Terrence Howard]]) and returned to the United States, Stark declares at a press conference that his company will no longer manufacture weapons. Stane tells him shortly thereafter that this move is being blocked by the members of the board of directors of Stark Industries.

Returning home, Stark retreats from the public eye and instead focuses on the design of his power suit, refining its size and improving its flight and fighting capability while making an improved arc reactor for himself, which he uses to replace the old one. During his first public appearance at the [[Walt Disney Concert Hall]] since his return to the United States, he spots Potts, who is wearing the dress he bought for her as a birthday present and is struck by her beauty and briefly dances with her, causing him to realize that he has romantic feelings for his assistant. As they're about to share a kiss, Potts interrupts by asking for a martini, as a ploy to hide her insecurity because of Stark's previous [[Promiscuity#Male promiscuity|promiscuity]]. While ordering the drinks, Stark is accosted by Everhart, who shows him pictures of Stark Industries weapons in the hands of terrorist groups, including Jericho missiles. He realizes that Stane has been "dealing under the table" by supplying both the Americans and their enemies, and that Stane has been attempting to remove Stark from power. Enraged, Stark modifies his palm thrusters for use as weapons, dons the power suit, flies to Afghanistan and rescues Yinsen's village from the Ten Rings. During the operation, Stark inadvertently attracts the attention of the [[United States Air Force]] and James Rhodes, who dispatches two [[F-22 Raptor]]s to intercept and eliminate the unknown target. During the dogfight, one of the planes is accidentally destroyed, but the pilot is rescued by Stark, who privately calls Rhodes to reveal that he was the unidentified object. Rhodes later classifies the incident as a training accident to the press, at Stark's request.

Determined to amend his mistakes, Stark sends Potts to find the shipping records of Stark Industries, so he can track the illicit shipments and destroy them. While [[Hacker (computer security)|hacking]] into the system, she discovers that Stane hired the Ten Rings to kill Stark and the group reneged on the deal upon discovering his true identity. She also learns Stane has recovered the power suit prototype and reverse-engineered his [[Iron Monger|own version]], but his engineers are unable to duplicate the miniature arc reactor to power the new suit. Stane ambushes Stark in his house, using an experimental Stark Industries device to temporarily paralyze him and removing the arc reactor from Stark's chest to power the new suit. As Stane leaves, the dying Stark manages to re-install his first reactor to save himself. Although his first reactor was not designed to power his latest armor, Stark takes it to battle with Stane atop Stark Industries and the surrounding streets. Stark lures Stane atop the full-sized arc reactor at Stark Industries to end the battle. With no more power left for the suit, Stark instructs Potts to overload the arc reactor, as Stane's suit is temporarily disabled. Potts overloads the reactor, causing an electrical surge that knocks Stane unconscious, causing him to fall into the reactor itself, destroying the reactor, the armor, and himself in the process.

In the following days, the press names Stark's alter ego "Iron Man." Rhodey informs a press conference that what happened at the company's site was a malfunctioning of a robotic prototype, and one of Stark's bodyguards bravely donned a prototype exoskeleton he designed to stop it. Before joining Rhodes, Stark briefly makes an attempt to establish a romantic relationship with Potts, but is put on hold. During the press conference, Stark considers telling the cover story given to him by his [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] contact, but after inadvertently revealing hints about his alter-ego, Stark abandons his alibi and announces to the press that ''he'' is Iron Man.

<!-- Not be a 'coming clean and going public'... the "I Am Iron Man" speech has been used to instead confuse the issue several times in the comics -->
[[Post-credits scene|Following the closing credits]], Stark is visited by S.H.I.E.L.D. Director [[Nick Fury]] ([[Samuel L. Jackson]])<!-- NOT Ultimate Nick Fury, the similarity between Ultimate and Movie Fury is covered elsewhere in the article --> who notes that Stark is not the only "super hero" in the world, and states he wants discuss the [[The Avengers (2011 film)|"Avenger Initiative"]].

==Cast==
<!--While Wikipedia is not censored, please do not add details on the fate of Stane or other villains, as English-readers will not see the film at the same time as those in other nations, as per the "Don't be a dick" page at meta.wikipedia.org-->
'''[[Robert Downey Jr.]]'''<!-- Do not add a comma to his name, as per his own press, there is no comma.--> as '''[[Iron Man|Anthony "Tony" Stark / Iron Man]]''': A billionaire [[industrialist]], genius inventor, and consummate playboy, he is CEO of [[Stark Industries]], a chief weapons manufacturer for the U.S. military. The son of a [[Manhattan Project]] engineer, [[Howard Stark]], Tony is an engineering [[child prodigy|prodigy]], having built a circuit board at 4 years old and an engine at 6 years old, as well as graduating from [[MIT]] ''[[Latin honors|summa cum laude]]'' at the age of 17, shortly after which he inherited Stark Industries following his parents' deaths. He builds a suit of power armor to escape his Afghan captors after being kidnapped while performing a weapons test in the country and decides to help mankind as Iron Man.

Favreau had planned to cast a newcomer in the role,<ref name="unknown im">{{cite news |last=Stax |title=The Unknown Iron Man |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2006-05-24 |url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/709/709941p1.html |accessdate=2006-12-06}}</ref> but ultimately chose Downey (a fan of the comic)<ref name=bond/> because he felt the actor's past made him an appropriate choice for the part. "The best and worst moments of Robert's life have been in the public eye," the director explained. "He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That's Tony Stark. Robert brings a depth that goes beyond a comic book character who is having trouble in high school, or can't get the girl."<ref name=bond>{{cite news |author=Bowles, Scott |title=First look: Downey forges a bond with 'Iron Man' role |publisher=[[USA Today]] |date=[[2007-04-26]] |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-04-26-iron-man_N.htm?csp=34 |accessdate=2007-12-13}}</ref> Favreau also felt Downey could make Stark a "likable asshole", but also depict an authentic emotional journey once he won over the audience.<ref name=fire/>

Downey had an office next to Favreau during pre-production, which allowed him greater involvement in the screenwriting process.<ref name=mask/> He brought a deeper sense of humor to the film not present in previous drafts of the script.<ref name=fly/> He explained, "What I usually hate about these [superhero] movies [is] when suddenly the guy that you were digging turns into [[Dudley Do-Right]], and then you're supposed to buy into all his 'Let's go do some good!' That [[Eliot Ness]]-in-a-cape-type thing. What was really important to me was to not have him change so much that he's unrecognizable. When someone used to be a schmuck and they're not anymore, hopefully they still have a sense of humor."<ref>{{cite news |author=Carroll, Larry |title='Iron Man' Star Robert Downey Jr. Talks About 'Incredible Hulk' Cameo, Controversial 'Tropic Thunder' Pics |publisher=[[MTV]] |date=[[2008-03-18]] |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1583534/story.jhtml |accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> To prepare, Downey spent five days a week [[weight training]] and practiced [[martial arts]] to get into shape,<ref name=bond/> which benefitted him because "it's hard not to have a personality meltdown [...] after about several hours in that suit. I'm calling up every therapeutic moment I can think of to just get through the day."<ref name=pump/>

[[Image:Terrence Howard, USAF.jpg|thumb|Howard preparing for the role by riding an [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] flight simulator]]
'''[[Terrence Howard]]''' as '''[[War Machine|Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes]]''': A pilot friend of Stark, and the liaison between Stark Industries and the military in the department of acquisitions. Favreau cast Howard because he felt he could play [[War Machine]] in a sequel.<ref name=trilogy>{{cite news |author=Quint |title=Quint visits the IRON MAN production offices! Art! Favreau speaks about sequels (?!?), casting and more!!! |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=[[2007-02-09]] |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/31525 |accessdate=2007-02-10}}</ref> Howard prepared for the role by visiting [[Nellis Air Force Base]] on March 16, 2007, where he ate with the pilots and observed [[HH-60 Pave Hawk]] rescue helicopters and [[F-22 Raptor]]s.<ref>{{cite news |author=Rolfsen, Bruce |url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/03/airforce_ironman_070321w/ |title=‘Iron Man’ pilot to hit big screen |publisher=[[Air Force Times]] |date=[[2007-03-21]] |accessdate=2007-03-22 }}</ref> While Rhodes is roguish in the comics after he met Stark, his earlier disciplinarian character forms [[double act|a dynamic]] with Stark, and he is unsure whether or not Stark's actions are acceptable. "Rhodey is completely disgusted with the way Tony has lived his life, but at a certain point he realizes that perhaps there is a different way," Howard said. "Whose life is the right way; is it the strict military life, or the life of an independent?"<ref name=pump/>

Howard and his father are Iron Man fans, partly because Rhodes was one of the few black superheroes when he was a child.<ref>{{cite news |author=Worley, Rob M. |title='Iron Man': Terrence Howard lives the dream |publisher=Comics2Films |date=[[2008-04-22]] |url=http://www.comics2film.com/index.php?a=story&b=28467 |accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> He was a Downey fan since he saw him in ''[[Weird Science (film)|Weird Science]]'', and they competed physically on set: "Robert and his competitive ass almost tore my shoulder trying to keep up with him. Because I'm forty or fifty pounds heavier than him, so I'm in there lifting and I pushed up about 225 [pounds (102 kg)] and knocked it out ten times. Robert wanted to go about 235 [106 kg], and he did it. So I'm going to push it up to about 245 [111 kg]. I took him out running and gave him some nice cramps. He couldn't walk after a couple of days."<ref>{{cite news |author= Rotten, Ryan |title=Iron Man: The Set Visit - Terrence Howard |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=[[2008-04-01]] |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=7001 |accessdate=2008-04-01}}</ref>

'''[[Jeff Bridges]]''' as '''[[Iron Monger|Obadiah Stane]]''': Stark's second-in-command, who wants control of the company. When Stark declares he will no longer manufacture weapons, Stane steals the blueprints for the Mark I armor to create his own, bigger version. Bridges read the comics as a boy and liked Favreau's modern, realistic approach. He shaved his hair and grew a gray beard for the role, which was something he had wanted to do for some time. Bridges [[google (verb)|google]]d the [[Book of Obadiah]], and he was surprised to learn retribution is a major theme in that particular book of the Bible, something which Stane represents.<ref name=notes>{{cite web |title=''Iron Man'' production notes |publisher=Made in Atlantis |year=2008 |url=http://madeinatlantis.com/movies_central/2008/iron_man_production_details.htm |accessdate=2008-04-01}}</ref> The character was called Iron Monger in the comics when he used his armor, but the codename is only referenced in the film when Stane describes himself and Stark as "[[ironmonger]]s".

'''[[Gwyneth Paltrow]]''' as '''[[Pepper Potts|Virginia "Pepper" Potts]]''': Stark's personal secretary and budding love interest. Paltrow asked Marvel to send her any comics that they would consider relevant to her understanding of the character, whom she considered to be very smart, levelheaded, and grounded. She said she liked "the fact that there's a sexuality that's not blatant." Favreau wanted Potts' and Stark's relationship to be reminiscent of a 1940s comedy, something which Paltrow considered to be fun in a sexy yet innocent way.<ref>{{cite news |author= Douglas, Edward |title=Gwyneth Paltrow Plays Pepper Potts |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=[[2008-05-01]] |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7150 |accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref>

'''[[Shaun Toub]]''' as '''[[Ho Yinsen|Dr. Yinsen]]''': Stark's fellow captive in Afghanistan. He is a surgeon and an expert on integrated circuits, who has traveled the world and was kidnapped by the Ten Rings terrorist group. He saves Stark from death when Stark was injured by [[shrapnel]], and uses an electromagnet to suspend the shards he couldn't remove, lest they cause fatal damage to Stark's heart. He assists Stark in creating the Mark I armor and keeping it a secret from their captors. He also acts as Stark's conscience, forcing Stark to realize the terrible nature of his creations, and his death being one of the principal reasons behind Stark's decision to change the direction of his company. In the comics, Yinsen is [[Chinese people|Chinese]] and a physicist, but in the film, he comes from an Afghan village called Gulmira, which is one of the aspects of the modernization of the Iron Man mythos for the movie.

'''[[Faran Tahir]]''' as '''Raza''': A terrorist hired by Stane to kill Stark, who then orders Stark to build a Stark Industries missile system for his organization, the Ten Rings. Tahir is a fan of the comics,<ref name=notes/> and wanted to bring humanity to the henchman. "I tried to find ways to show that although he may be the bad guy, there might be a moment or just a hint of vulnerability at times, where he hasn't made the right calculations or there's a certain amount of doubt. Jon was very receptive to that kind of layering."<ref>{{cite news |author= Spelling, Ian |title=Iron Villain Not Black, White |publisher=[[Sci Fi Wire]] |date=[[2008-04-29]] |url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=53090&type=0 |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref>

'''[[Paul Bettany]]''' voices '''[[Edwin Jarvis|J.A.R.V.I.S.]]''': Stark's personal [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]], which assists him in the construction and programming of the Iron Man suit. The name of the character is a reference to the comic book character [[Edwin Jarvis]], Stark's butler. Bettany did the part as a favor to Favreau (with whom he worked on ''[[Wimbledon (film)|Wimbledon]]'') and claimed he did not know what film he was recording the lines for during his two-hour recording session.<ref>{{cite news |author=Scott Huver |title=Paul Bettany on Voicing Iron Man's Jarvis |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=[[2008-05-16]] |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7224 |accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref>

'''[[Leslie Bibb]]''' as '''Christine Everhart''': A ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' columnist whom accosts Stark at Caesar's Palace with a list of scathing questions about his profession and gets charmed into a one-night stand before Stark leaves for Afghanistan. Later, she appears again, to tell Stark of the Ten Rings in Gulmira and at the end, suspecting Stark of being Iron Man.

[[Clark Gregg]] appears throughout the film as Agent Coulson of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]],<ref>{{cite web| accessdate=2008-05-08 |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/person/28638/Clark-Gregg |title=Clark Gregg |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and [[Samuel L. Jackson]] appears as their head [[Nick Fury]] following the credits.<!-- As per the above unlinking from Ultimate Nick Fury. Best link is to the main character article, where the commonality can be found. Also mentioning the fact in the next sentance--> Jackson has previously 'appeared' as the [[Ultimate Nick Fury|version of Nick Fury]] used in Marvel's [[Ultimate Marvel]] imprint.<ref name="samueljackson">{{cite web |title=Samuel L. Jackson |work=Copyright Kamal Larsuel, 2005 |url=http://www.samuelljackson.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=44 |accessmonthday=August 20 |accessyear=2006}}</ref> Other cameos include Iron Man co-creator [[Stan Lee]] (whom Stark mistakes for [[Hugh Hefner]] at a party),<ref>{{cite news |author=Goldman, Eric |title=Stan Lee's Further Superhero Adventures |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=[[2007-05-04]] |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/785/785824p3.html |accessdate=2007-05-14}}</ref> and director [[Jon Favreau]] as Stark's bodyguard/chauffeur [[Happy Hogan]].<ref name=fly/> [[Audioslave]] and [[Rage Against the Machine]] guitarist [[Tom Morello]], who provides additional guitar music for the film, has a brief cameo as a guard.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-08 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=96438 |title=RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Guitarist Faces 'Iron Man' |publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]] |date=[[2008-05-06]]}}</ref> [[Jim Cramer]], star of CNBC's ''[[Mad Money]]'' appeared as himself, commenting on the investment opportunities ("Sell, Sell, Sell") of Stark Industries.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-08|url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/24427046 |title=Cramer In 'Iron Man' |publisher=[[CNBC]] |date=[[2008-05-02]] |author=Dellaverson, Carlo}}</ref> Rapper [[Ghostface Killah]] cameoed in a scene where Stark briefly stays in [[Dubai]] while returning to Afghanistan, but it was cut from the theatrical release for pacing reasons.<ref name=depth/>

==Production==
===Development===
In April 1990, [[Universal Studios]] bought the rights to develop ''Iron Man'' for the big screen.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ryan, James |title=Bam! Pow! Heroes take over the silver screen |publisher=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=[[1990-04-14]]}}</ref> [[Stuart Gordon]] was to direct Universal's low-budget film.<ref name=pump>{{cite news |author=Shapiro, Marc |title=Pumping Iron |publisher=[[Starlog]] |month=April | year=2008 |pages=47–50}}</ref> By February 1996, [[20th Century Fox]] acquired the rights from Universal.<ref>{{cite news |author=Smith, Andrew |title=Gen X kids not bad on screen |publisher=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |date=[[1996-02-18]]}}</ref> In January 1997, actor [[Nicolas Cage]] expressed interest in being cast for the lead role,<ref>{{cite news |title=Film Clips Column |publisher=[[Journal Gazette]] |date=[[1997-01-03]]}}</ref> and in September 1998, actor [[Tom Cruise]] had expressed interest in producing as well as starring in the film debut of Iron Man.<ref>{{cite news |author=Radford, Bill |title=Big screen gaining new ground as venue for comics creations |publisher=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]] |date=[[1998-09-06]]}}</ref> [[Jeff Vintar]] and Iron Man co-creator [[Stan Lee]] co-wrote a story which Vintar adapted into a screenplay. Jeffrey Caine (''[[GoldenEye]]'') rewrote Vintar's script.<ref name=archive>{{cite web |title=Iron Man (Archive) |publisher=Comics2Film |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060503043047/http://www.comics2film.com/IronManArch.shtml|accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref> Director [[Quentin Tarantino]] was approached in October 1999 to write and direct ''Iron Man''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Vice, Jeff |title=Comic books poised for film incarnations |publisher=[[Deseret Morning News]] |date=[[1999-10-03]]}}</ref> With no deal made, Fox eventually sold the rights to [[New Line Cinema]] the following December.<ref>{{cite news |author=Smith, Andrew |title=Superheroes lining up for millennium movie debuts |publisher=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |date=[[1999-12-26]]}}</ref> By July 2000, the film was being written for the studio<ref>{{cite news |author=Epstein, Warren |title=X-guys could muscle up more Marvelous screen fare |publisher=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]] |date=[[2000-07-09]]}}</ref> by [[Ted Elliott]], [[Terry Rossio]],<ref name=archive/> and [[Tim McCanlies]].<ref>{{cite news |author= Richey, Rodney |title=Warner Bros. goes 'Bat' to the Future |publisher=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=[[2000-09-25]]}}</ref> McCanlies's script used the idea of a [[Nick Fury]] cameo to set up his own film.<ref name=archive/> New Line entered talks with [[Joss Whedon]], a fan of the character Iron Man, in June 2001 for the possibility of the director taking the helm.<ref>{{cite news |author=Elder, Robert K. |title=All work and lots of slay |publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=[[2001-06-01]]}}</ref> In December 2002, McCanlies had turned in a completed script.<ref>{{cite news |author= Garcia, Chris |title=A firsthand look at 'Secondhand' |publisher=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |date=[[2002-12-06]]}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=40%|quote= "We worked with [[Michael Crichton]]'s researchers to find a grounded realistic way to deal with the suit. The idea was he needed the suit to stay alive. He’s the same guy we used with ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'' to come up with [[Doctor Octopus|Doc Ock's]] inhibitor chips and what the arms are made of and how they work. [...] [[Mandarin (comics)|Mandarin]] was an [[Indonesia]]n terrorist who masqueraded as a rich playboy who Tony knew."|source= —Alfred Gough on his draft for Nick Cassavetes's and New Line's aborted version<ref>{{cite news |author= Ferrante, Anthony C. |title=Alfred Gough on Smallville, Iron Man and The Mummy 3 - Part 3 |date=[[2007-02-15]] |url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1919 |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref>}}

In December 2004, the studio attached director [[Nick Cassavetes]] to the project for a target 2006 release.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newline.com/press/2004/1210_ironman.shtml |title=Nick Cassavetes to Direct New Line Cinema and Marvel's Iron Man |publisher=[[New Line Cinema]] |date=[[2004-12-10]] |accessdate=2006-07-28}}</ref> After two years of unsuccessful development, and the deal with Cassavetes falling through, [[New Line Cinema]] returned the film rights to Marvel. Screenplay drafts had been written by [[Alfred Gough]], [[Miles Millar]] and [[David Hayter]], but they were not retained. New Line's script pitted Iron Man against [[Howard Stark|his father]], who becomes [[War Machine]].<ref>{{cite news|author=El Chavo |title=Iron Man by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, Revisions By David Hayter |publisher=Latino Review |date=[[2006-04-24]] |url=http://latinoreview.com/scriptreview.php?id=22 |accessdate=2008-03-22}}</ref> In November 2005, [[Marvel Studios]] worked to start development from scratch,<ref>{{cite news |author=Fritz, Ben |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117932184?categoryid=1236&cs=1 |title=Marvel steels itself for 'Iron' |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=[[2005-11-02]] |accessdate=2006-07-28}}</ref> and announced it as their first independent feature, as Iron Man was their only major character not depicted in live action.<ref name=mask>{{cite news |author= Ambrose, Tom |title=The Man In The Iron Mask |pages=69 |publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date=[[2007-07-26]]}}</ref>

In April 2006, [[Jon Favreau]] became the film's director, with Arthur Marcum and Matt Holloway writing the script.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kit, Borys |title=Marvel Studios outlines slew of superhero titles |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=[[2008-04-28]] |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002424612 |accessdate=2008-03-22}}</ref> Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby worked separately, with Favreau compiling both team's scripts,<ref>{{cite news |author=[[Rob Worley|Worley, Rob]] |title=Jon Favreau talks Iron Man |publisher=Comics2Film |date=[[2006-06-21]] |url=http://www.comics2film.com/index.php?a=story&b=20520 |accessdate=2008-03-22}}</ref> and the script received a polish by [[John August]].<ref name=ew>{{cite news |author=Jensen, Jeff |title='Iron Man': Summer's first Marvel? |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=[[2008-04-17]] |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20192634_3,00.html |accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref> Comic book staff [[Mark Millar]], [[Brian Michael Bendis]], [[Joe Quesada]], [[Tom Brevoort]], [[Axel Alonso]] and [[Ralph Macchio (comics)|Ralph Macchio]] were also summoned by Favreau to give advice on the script.<ref name=thinktank>{{cite news |author=[[Rich Johnston]] |title=Lying in the Gutters Volume 2 Column 156 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=[[2008-05-06]] |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16292 |accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref>

Favreau had wanted to work with Marvel producer [[Avi Arad]] on another film after the ''[[Daredevil (film)|Daredevil]]'' adaptation.<ref name=mask/> Favreau celebrated getting the job by going on a diet, and lost seventy pounds.<ref name=pump/> The director found the opportunity to create a politically ambitious "ultimate spy movie" in ''Iron Man'', citing inspiration from [[Tom Clancy]], [[James Bond]] and [[RoboCop]].<ref name="ultimate preview">{{cite news |title=Ultimate Superhero Preview |publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |pages=90, 230 |date=[[2006-09-29]] |accessdate=2006-09-29}}</ref> Favreau also described his approach as similar to an [[independent film]], "[i]f [[Robert Altman]] had directed ''[[Superman (film)|Superman]]''",<ref name=mask/> and also cited ''[[Batman Begins]]'' as an inspiration.<ref name=sauron/> He wanted to make ''Iron Man'' a story of an adult man literally reinventing himself, and realizing the world is far more complex than he believes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=756 |title=Empire: Interviews - Jon Favreau Video Interview |accessdate=2008-05-01 |author= Ferris, Glen |date=[[2008-04-29]] |publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire Online]]}}</ref> Favreau changed the [[Vietnam War]] origin of the character to [[Afghanistan]], as he did not want to do a [[period piece]].<ref name=trilogy/>

Choosing a villain was difficult, because Favreau felt Iron Man's archnemesis, the [[Mandarin (comics)|Mandarin]], would not feel realistic, especially after Mark Millar gave his opinion on the script.<ref name=thinktank/> He felt only in a sequel, with an altered tone, would the fantasy of the Mandarin's rings be appropriate.<ref name=mandarin>{{cite news |author=Worley, Rob M. |title=Iron Man: Favreau on films, fans, and Fin Fang Foom |publisher=Comics2Film |date=[[2007-09-08]] |url=http://www.comics2film.com/index.php?a=story&b=28481#ad_jump |accessdate=2007-08-08}}</ref> The decision to push him into the background is comparable to [[Sauron]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'',<ref name=sauron>{{cite news |author=Vespe, Eric |title=Quint goes one on one with Jon Favreau about IRON MAN at Comic-Con!!! |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=2007-07-28 |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33483 |accessdate=2007-07-29}}</ref> or [[Palpatine]] in ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]''.<ref name=mandarin/> Favreau also wanted Iron Man to face a giant enemy. The switch from Mandarin to Obadiah Stane was done after Bridges was cast.<ref name=depth>{{cite news |author=Douglas, Edward |title=Exclusive: An In-Depth Iron Man Talk with Jon Favreau |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=[[2008-04-29]] |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7133 |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> Stane was intended to become a villain in the sequel.<ref name=thinktank/> [[Crimson Dynamo]] was also a villain in early drafts in the script.<ref name=fly>{{cite news |author=Hewitt, Chris |title=Super Fly Guy |publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |month=April | year=2008 |pages=66–72}}</ref>

===Filming===
Production was based in the former [[Howard Hughes|Hughes Company]] soundstages in [[Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Raab, Scott |title=May God Bless and Keep Robert Downey Jr. |publisher=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |date=[[2007-02-21]] |url=http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0307downeyjr |accessdate=2007-02-23}}</ref> Favreau rejected the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] setting of the comic books as many superhero films were set there, and he wanted to avoid repetition in his film.<ref name=trilogy/> Hughes was one of the inspirations for the comic book, and the filmmakers acknowledged the coincidence that they would film Iron Man creating the flying Mark III where the [[Hughes H-4 Hercules]] "Spruce Goose" was built.<ref name=notes/>

Filming began on March 12, 2007,<ref>{{cite news |title=Funding Initiated for Iron Man Movie |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=[[2007-02-28]] |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5265 |accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref> with the first few weeks spent on Stark's captivity in [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news |author= Favreau, Jon |title=Jon Favreau on Iron Man filming |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=[[2007-03-19]] |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5362 |accessdate=2007-03-19}}</ref> The cave where Stark is imprisoned was a 150-200 yard (150-200 m) long set, which was built with movable forks in the caverns to allow greater freedom for the film's crew.<ref name=trilogy/> [[Production designer]] J. Michael Riva saw footage of a [[Taliban]] fighter in Afghanistan, and saw the cold breath as he spoke: realizing remote caves are actually very cold, Riva placed an air conditioning system in the set. He also sought Downey's advice about make-shift objects in prison, such as a sock being used to make tea. All this created greater authenticity.<ref name=notes/> Afterwards, Stark's capture was filmed at [[Lone Pine, California|Lone Pine]], and other exterior scenes in Afghanistan were filmed at [[Olancha]] Sand Dunes. There, the crew had to endure two days of 40 to 60-mile an hour (60 to 100 km/h) winds.<ref name=notes/>

Filming at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] began in mid-April,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123047810 |title=Flying with the stars |publisher=[[Edwards Air Force Base]] |date=[[2007-04-06]] |accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> and was completed on May 2.<ref>{{cite news |author=Miles, Donna |title=Edwards team stars in 'Iron Man' superhero movie |publisher=[[United States Air Force]] |date=[[2007-05-02]] |url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123051647 |accessdate=2007-05-14}}</ref> Exterior shots of Stark's home were digitally composited on footage of [[Point Dume]] in [[Malibu, California|Malibu]],<ref name=depth/> while the interior was built at Playa Vista, where Favreau and Riva aimed to make Stark's home look less futuristic and more "[[wikt:grease monkey|grease monkey]]".<ref name=notes/> Filming concluded on June 25, 2007 at [[Caesars Palace]] in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite news |author=[[Jon Favreau|Favreau, Jon]] |title=Iron Man Movie Update! |publisher=Comingsoon.net |date=[[2007-06-25]] |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5916 |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> Favreau, a newcomer to action films, remarked "I'm shocked that I [was] on schedule. I thought that there were going to be many curveballs." He hired "people who are good at creating action", so "the human story [felt] like it belongs to the comic book genre".<ref name=pump/>

There was much [[improvisation]] in dialogue scenes, because the script was not completed when filming began (the filmmakers had focused on the story making sense and planning the action). Favreau acknowledged that improvisation would make the film feel more natural. Some scenes were shot with two cameras to capture lines said on the spot. Multiple takes were done, as Downey wanted to try something new each time.<ref name=depth/> It was Downey's idea to have Stark hold a [[news conference]] on the floor,<ref name=pump/> and he created the speech Stark makes when demonstrating the "Jericho".<ref name=fire>{{cite news |author=Allsletter, Rob |title=Iron Man's Jon Favreau |publisher=Comics Continuum |date=2008-03-03 |url=http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0803/03/jonfavreau.htm |accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref>

[[Brian Michael Bendis]] wrote three pages of dialogue for the Nick Fury cameo scene, with the filmmakers choosing the best lines for filming.<ref name=thinktank/> The cameo was filmed with a skeleton crew in order to keep it a secret, but rumours appeared on the Internet only days later. Marvel Studios's Kevin Feige subsequently ordered the scene removed from all preview prints in order to maintain the surprise and keep fans guessing.<ref name="EW Favereau">{{cite news |title=Jon Favreau Talks 'Iron Man' |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=2008-05-05 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20198027_3,00.html |accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref>

===Effects===
[[Image:Ironmonger 2008film.jpg|thumb|A scale model of the "Iron Monger" suit]]
Favreau wanted the film to be believable by showing the construction of the suit in its three stages.<ref name=trilogy/> [[Stan Winston]], a fan of the comic book, and his company built metal and rubber versions of the armors. They had previously worked on Favreau's ''[[Zathura (film)|Zathura]]''.<ref name=notes/> Favreau's main concern with the effects was whether the transition between the computer-generated and practical costumes would be too obvious.<ref name=favonset>{{cite news |author =Rotten, Ryan |title=Iron Man: The Set Visit - Jon Favreau |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=2008-04-01 |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=7000 |accessdate=2008-04-01}}</ref> [[Industrial Light & Magic]] (ILM) was hired to create the bulk of the visual effects with additional work being completed by [[The Orphanage (company)|The Orphanage]] and [[The Embassy Visual Effects|The Embassy]]; Favreau trusted ILM after seeing ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]]'' and ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''.<ref name=notes/>

The Mark I design was intended to look like it was built from spare parts: particularly, the back is less armored than the front, as Stark would use his resources to make a forward attack. It also foreshadows the design of Stane's armor. A single {{convert|90|lb|adj=on}} version was built, causing concern when a stuntman fell over inside it. Both the stuntman and the suit were unscathed. The armor was also designed to only have its top half worn at times.<ref name=notes/> The Embassy created a digital version of the Mark I.<ref>{{cite news |author=Andrews, Marke |title=Vancouver's visual effects makers bulk up |publisher=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=[[2008-04-11]] |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=be3cd777-c4b8-4b3e-b6e8-b4fb4220dd3b&k=63189 |accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> Stan Winston Studios built a {{convert|10|ft|adj=on}}, {{convert|800|lb|adj=on}} animatronic version of the comic character "[[Iron Monger]]" (Obadiah Stane),<ref name=notes/> a name which Obadiah Stane calls Tony Stark and himself earlier in the film. The animatronic required five operators for the arm, and was built on a [[gimbal]] to simulate walking.<ref name=notes/> A [[scale model]] was used for the shots of it being built.<ref name=depth/>

The Mark II resembles an airplane prototype, with visible flaps.<ref name=depth/> Iron Man [[Comic book creator|comic book artist]] [[Adi Granov]] designed the Mark III with Phil Saunders.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5626 |title=Who Designed the Iron Man Suit? |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=2007-05-06 |accessdate=2007-05-06 }}</ref> Granov's designs were the primary inspiration for the film's design, and he came on board the film after he recognized his work on Jon Favreau's [[MySpace]] page.<ref name=sauron/> Saunders streamlined Granov's concept art, making it [[stealth]]ier and less cartoonish in its proportions.<ref name=notes/> Sometimes, Downey would only wear the helmet, sleeves and chest of the costume over a [[motion capture]] suit.<ref name=notes/> For shots of the Mark III flying, it was animated to look realistic by taking off slowly, and landing quickly. To generate shots of Iron Man and the [[F-22 Raptor]]s battling, cameras were flown in the air to provide reference for physics, wind and frost on the lenses.<ref name=assembly>{{cite news |author=Vespe, Eric |title=Quint visits ILM with Jon Favreau and sees some IRON MAN stuff!! |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=2008-04-21 |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36491 |accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> For further study of the physics of flying, skydivers were filmed in a vertical [[wind tunnel]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Carolyn Giardina |title='Iron Man' crew had desired effects |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2008-05-05 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/technology/news/e3id14e99b005fa29e4b688f4d8117eba76 |accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref>

===Music===
{{seealso|Iron Man (soundtrack)}}
Composer [[Ramin Djawadi]] is an Iron Man fan, and still has issues of the comic from the late 1970s. While he normally composes after watching an [[assembly cut]], Djawadi began work after seeing the [[teaser trailer]]. Favreau clearly envisioned a focus on "heavy" guitar in the score, and Djawadi composed the music on that instrument before arranging it for orchestra. The composer said Downey's performance inspired the several Iron Man themes (for his different moods), as well as Stark's playboy [[leitmotif]]. Djawadi's favorite of the Iron Man themes is the "kickass" because of its "rhythmic pattern that is a hook on its own. Very much like a machine." The other themes are "not so much character based, but rather plot based that carry you through the movie".<ref>{{cite news |title=Ramin Djawadi |publisher=Comicus |date=2008-04-06 |url=http://www.comicus.it/view.php?section=interviste&id=165 |language=[[Italian language|Italian]] |accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref> Guitarist [[Tom Morello]] of [[Rage Against the Machine]] and [[Audioslave]] contributed additional guitar work to the movie's soundtrack.

==Release==
[[Image:Robert Downey Jr-2008.JPG|thumb|left|Downey promoting the film in [[Mexico City]]]]
The premiere was held at the [[Greater Union]] theater at [[George Street, Sydney]], on April 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iron Man Aussie Premiere Pics |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=2008-04-14 |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7069 |accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref> The film was released worldwide except for Japan between April 30 and May 7, 2008, with Japan to receive the film in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/releaseinfo |title=Iron Man (2008) - Release dates |accessdate=2008-06-21 |work=Internet Movie Database}}</ref>

===Marketing===
Marvel and Paramount modeled their marketing campaign for ''Iron Man'' on that of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''.<ref name=transformers>{{cite news |author=Stanley, T.L. |title=Tie-ins: LG, BK, 7-Eleven To Pump Paramount's Iron Man |publisher=[[Brandweek]] |date=2008-01-07 |url=http://www.brandweek.com/bw/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003692165 |accessdate=2008-01-08}}</ref> [[Sega]] released a [[Iron Man (video game)|video game]] based on the film, which included other iterations of the character.<ref>{{cite news |author=Cordeira, Jim |url=http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2006/11/6-10 |title=Sega and Marvel hook up for Iron Man |publisher=Gaming Age |date=2006-11-06 |accessdate=2006-11-06}}</ref> A 30-second spot for the film aired during a [[Super Bowl XLII]] break.<ref>{{cite news |author=Graser, Marc |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978002.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 |title='Studios suit up for Super Bowl |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2007-12-19 |accessdate=2007-12-20}}</ref> 6,400 [[7-Eleven]] stores in the United States helped promote the film, and [[LG Group]] also made a deal with Paramount.<ref name=transformers/> [[Hasbro]] created figures of the Mark I and Mark III armor, as well as [[Titanium Man]] (who appears in the video game) and the [[Iron Man's armor#Hulkbuster Armor MK II|armor from the ''World War Hulk'' comics]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Douglas, Edward |title=Hasbro Previews G.I. Joe, Hulk, Iron Man, Indy & Clone Wars |publisher=[[SuperHeroHype.com]] |date=2008-02-17 |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6807 |accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>

Worldwide, [[Burger King]] and [[Audi]] promoted the film. Jon Favreau was set to direct a commercial for the fast-food chain, as [[Michael Bay]] did for ''Transformers''.<ref name=transformers/> In the film, Tony Stark drives an [[Audi R8 (road car)|Audi R8]], and also has an "American cheeseburger" from Burger King after his rescue from Afghanistan, as part of the studio's [[product placement]] deal with the respective companies. Three other vehicles, the [[Audi S6]] sedan, [[Audi A5|Audi S5]] sports coupe and the [[Audi Q7]] SUV, also appear in the film.<ref>{{cite news |author=Graser, Marc |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969149.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |title='Iron Man' rides with Audi |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2007-07-25 |accessdate=2007-07-26}}</ref> Audi created a tie-in website, as [[General Motors]] did for ''Transformers''.<ref name=transformers/> [[Oracle Corporation]] also promoted the film on its site.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.oracle.com/marvel/index.html |title=Oracle is co-promoting Ironman |accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref> Estimates for the cost of marketing ''Iron Man'' ranged from US$50 to $75 million.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gorman, Steve |title="Iron Man" gets heavy start at box office |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=2008-05-03 |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0332150820080503 |accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref>

===Reception===
<!-- Please note, when updating Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and Movie Tab ratings, you should also update the "accessdate" field within the citation tags to reflect the date on which you have updated them. -->
''Iron Man'' received highly positive reviews from film critics. On May 1, 2008, the film was identified as the "best-reviewed film of the year so far" by Jen Yamato of review aggregator ''[[Rotten Tomatoes]]'', with the site reporting that 93% of critics had given the film positive reviews, based upon a sample of 213.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/iron_man/news/1725305/ |title=Iron Man is the Best-Reviewed Movie of 2008! | date=[[2008-05-01]] |accessdate=2008-06-21 |author=Jen Yamato |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc}}</ref><!--Note: the Yamato article (May, 95%, 107 reviews) is a fixed point in time, and that information will not change, while the main RT page is constantly updating --> As of June 26, 2008, the site was reporting that 93% of critics had given it positive write-ups, based upon 208 reviews.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/iron_man/ | title=Iron Man Movie Reviews | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc | accessdate=2008-06-26 }}</ref> At ''[[Metacritic]]'', which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 79, based on 38 reviews.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/ironman | title=Iron Man (2008): Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=CNET Networks, Inc | accessdate=2008-06-21 }}</ref>

Among the major trade journals, Todd McCarthy in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the film an "expansively entertaining special effects extravaganza" with "fresh energy and stylistic polish",<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-03 |url=http://www.variety.com/VE1117936903.html |title=Iron Man |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2008-04-25 |author=McCarthy, Todd}}</ref> while Kirk Honeycutt of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' praised the film while nonetheless finding "disappointment [in] a climatic [sic] battle between different Iron Man prototypes [...] how did Tony's nemesis learn how to use the suit?"<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-03 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?&rid=11021 |title=Iron Man |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2008-04-28 |author=Honeycutt, Kirk}}</ref> In one of the first major-daily newspaper reviews, [[Frank Lovece]] of ''[[Newsday]]'' lauded the film's "emotional truth [...] pitch-perfect casting and plausibly rendered super-science" that made it "faithful to the source material while updating it &ndash; and recognizing what's made that material so enduring isn't just the high-tech cool of a man in a metal suit, but the human condition that got him there".<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-03 |url=http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/news/ny-etiron295667140apr29,0,641421.story |title='Iron Man' |publisher=[[Newsday]] |date=2008-04-30 |author=Lovece, Frank}}</ref> [[A.O. Scott]] of the ''[[New York Times]]'' called the film "an unusually good superhero picture. Or at least — since it certainly has its problems — a superhero movie that’s good in unusual ways."<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-03 |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/movies/02iron.html |title=Iron Man (2008) |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-05-02 |author=Scott, A. O.}}</ref>

Among the specialty press, Garth Franklin of ''[[Dark Horizons]]'' commended the "impressive sets and mechanics that combine smoothly with relatively seamless CG", and said, "Robert Downey Jr., along with director Jon Favreau [...] help this rise above formula. The result is something that, whilst hardly original or groundbreaking, is nevertheless refreshing in its earnestness to avoid dark dramatic stylings in favor of an easy-going, crowd-pleasing action movie with a sprinkle of anti-war and redemption themes".<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-03 |url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/reviews/ironman.php |title=Review: "Iron Man" |publisher=[[Dark Horizons]] |date=2008-05-02 |author=Franklin, Garth}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]''’s Todd Gilchrist recognized Downey as "the best thing" in a film that "functions on autopilot, providing requisite story developments and character details to fill in this default 'origin story' while the actors successfully breathe life into their otherwise conventional roles".<ref>{{cite news |author=Gilchrist, Todd |title=Iron Man Review |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2008-04-29 |url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/870/870262p1.html |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref>

Among major metropolitan weeklies, [[David Edelstein]] of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine called the film "a shapely piece of mythmaking [...] Favreau doesn't go in for stylized comic-book frames, at least in the first half. He gets real with it — you’d think you were watching a military thriller",<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-03 |url=http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/46460/ |title=A Hero for Our Times |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=2008-04-25| author=Edelstein, David}}</ref> while conversely, [[David Denby]] of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' put forth a negative review, claiming "a slightly depressed, going-through-the-motions feel to the entire show [...] [[Gwyneth Paltrow]], widening her eyes and palpitating, can't do much with an antique role as Stark's [[His Girl Friday|girl Friday]], who loves him but can't say so; [[Terrence Howard]], playing a military man who chases around after Stark, looks dispirited and taken for granted".<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-05-03 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2008/05/05/080505crci_cinema_denby |title=Unsafe |publisher=[[The New Yorker]] |date=2008-05-05 |author=Denby, David}}</ref>

===Box office===
In its opening weekend, ''Iron Man'' grossed $98,618,668 in 4,105 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking number one at the box office,<ref name=mojoweek>{{cite web |url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=ironman.htm |title=Iron Man (2008) - Weekend Box Office Results |accessdate=2008-05-04 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamercenteronline.net/?p=483 |title=Iron Man (2008) - Iron Man King Of the Box Office |accessdate=2008-05-04 |publisher=GamerCenterOnline}}</ref> giving it the 11th-biggest opening weekend,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/ |title=Biggest Openings at the Box Office |accessdate=2008-05-02 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> ninth widest release in terms of theaters,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/widest.htm?page=WIDEST&p=.htm |title=Movies With the Widest Openings at the Box Office |accessdate=2008-05-06 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> and the third highest-grossing opening weekend of [[2008 in film|2008]] behind ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'' and ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]''. It grossed $35.2 million on its first day, giving it the 13th-biggest opening day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/?page=open&p.htm |title=Opening Day Records at the Box Office |accessdate=2008-05-03 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> ''Iron Man'' had the second-best premiere for a non-[[sequel]], behind ''[[Spider-Man (film)|Spider-Man]]''. It had the fourth-biggest opening for a superhero movie.<ref name=germain>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/05/04/ap4967190.html |title=Marvel turns 'Iron Man' into gold with $100M-plus debut |accessdate=2008-05-04 |author=David Germain |date=[[2008-05-04]] |publisher=[[Associated Press]] via [[Forbes]]}}</ref> ''Iron Man'' was also the number-one film in the United States and Canada in its second weekend, grossing $51.1 million,<ref name=mojoweek/> giving it the 12th-best second weekend and the fifth-best for a non-sequel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/moreweekends.htm?page=2&p=.htm |title=Top Weekends:2nd-12th|accessdate=2008-05-12 |date=2008-05-11 |work=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> On June 18, 2008 ''Iron Man'' became the first movie of 2008 to pass the $300 million mark for the domestic box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=ironman.htm |title=Iron Man (2008) |accessdate=2008-06-25 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n19296777-ironman/ |author=Carl DiOrio |title="Iron Man" bolts past $300 million at box office |date=2008-06-19 |accessdate=2008-06-25 |publisher=NewsDaily}}</ref>

<!-- if updating, please change date in article and citation, and update infobox-->
As of October 6, 2008, ''Iron Man'' has grossed $575,260,376 worldwide &mdash; $318,313,199 in the United States and Canada and $256,947,177 in other territories.<ref name=boxmojo>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=ironman.htm |title=Iron Man (2008) |accessdate=2008-10-07 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref><!-- if updating, please change date in article and citation, and update infobox-->

===Home media===
The film was released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]] on September 30, 2008, in North America as for Europe the scheduled release date is October 27 2008.<ref>{{cite news|author=Susanne Ault|title=Iron Man to kick off fourth quarter|work=Video Business|date=2008-05-05|url=http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6580245.html?desc=topstory|accessdate=2008-07-22}}</ref> The image on the newspaper Stark reads before he announces he is Iron Man was altered because amateur photographer Ronnie Adams filed a lawsuit against Paramount and Marvel using his on-location spy photo in the scene.<ref>{{cite news|author=Cal Kemp|title=IRON MAN Censored|work=Collider|date=2008-09-17|url=http://www.collider.com/entertainment/news/article.asp/aid/9202/tcid/1|accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref>

A [[Wal-Mart]]-exclusive release included the series premiere of ''[[Iron Man: Armored Adventures]]''.<ref>[http://comicsworthreading.com/2008/10/05/iron-man-dvd-review/ "Iron Man DVD (Review)"], Comics Worth Reading, October 5, 2008</ref>

==Sequels==
{{see also|Avengers (comics)#Film}}
[[Jon Favreau]] planned ''Iron Man'' as the first in a trilogy, and has signed on all the original actors.<ref name=trilogy/> Favreau believed the sequel will allow a latitude in tone,<ref name=fire/> and explore darker story elements such as [[alcoholism]], which he intentionally set aside from the first film.<ref name="unknown im" /> Downey noted "the next one is about what do you do with the rest of your life once you've completely changed. [...] I think the drinking and all that stuff would be a good way to confront his age, to confront his doubts, to confront the fact that maybe Pepper gets a boyfriend." Downey and Favreau met with [[Shane Black]], who suggested they model Stark on [[Robert Oppenheimer]], who became depressed with being "the destroyer of worlds" after working on the [[Manhattan Project]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Collura, Scott |title=Downey Jr. on Tony Stark's Future |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2008-04-29 |url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/869/869925p1.html |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> [[Terrence Howard]] added this would be the manner in which his character would become [[War Machine]], like in the comics, replacing Iron Man when Stark succumbed to alcoholism.<ref>{{cite news |author=Douglas, Edward |title=Terrence Howard on the Future of War Machine |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=2008-04-28 |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7130 |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> Favreau perceived depicting Iron Man's nemesis, the [[Mandarin (comics)|Mandarin]], as a challenge, as he finds the use of the character as a metaphor for [[communism]] dated.<ref name=fire/> He did work references to the Mandarin into the first movie, primarily with the terrorist organization named [[Mandarin (comics)#Powers and abilities|the Ten Rings]].<ref name=depth/>

The day after the film's opening weekend, Marvel Entertainment announced ''Iron Man 2''.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Gorman |title=Marvel plans "Iron Man" sequel |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN0529401020080505?sp=true |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=2008-05-05 |accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> Howard stated filming is set to begin in March 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=Favreau on the Iron Man 2 Start Date and Release |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=2008-06-10 |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/ironmannews.php?id=7318 |accessdate=2008-06-10}}</ref> [[Justin Theroux]] is writing the script, which is based on a story written by Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr.<ref>{{cite news |author=Marc Graser |title=Theroux to write 'Iron Man' sequel |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2008-07-15 |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989003.html?categoryId=13&cs=1 |accessdate=2008-07-16}}</ref> {{As of|2008|October}}, the scheduled release date is May 7, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Marvel Studios and Paramount Extend Distribution Agreement|work=[[Superhero Hype!]]|date=2008-09-29|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/ironmannews.php?id=7689|accessdate=2008-09-29}}</ref> Favreau has revealed their version of the Mandarin "allows us to incorporate the whole pantheon of villains", while [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] will continue to have a major role. Their depiction of Stark's alcoholism will not be "the ''[[Leaving Las Vegas]]'' version". [[Adi Granov]] will return to supervise the armor designs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Live chat with Jon Favreau today at 11am Pacific Time|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=2008-10-01|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/10/live-chat-with.html|accessdate=2008-10-02}}</ref> As long as he is directing, Favreau will not introduce the [[Iron Man's armor#Extremis Armor|Extremis]] armor, where Stark is able to store the armor underneath within his bone marrow, but the process of assembling the armor onto him will be continued to be streamlined.<ref name=assembly/> Filming will primarily take place at [[Raleigh Studios]] in [[Manhattan Beach, California]].<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Marvel Studios]]|title=Marvel to Film Next Four Films at Raleigh Studios|work=[[Superhero Hype!]]|date=2008-10-07|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/ironmannews.php?id=7706|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*[http://www.ironmanmovie.com Official site]
*{{imdb title|id=0371746|title=Iron Man}}
*{{rotten-tomatoes|id=iron_man|title=Iron Man}}
*{{metacritic film|id=ironman|title=Iron Man}}
*{{mojo title|id=ironman|title=Iron Man}}
*{{amg movie|id=1:353425|title=Iron Man}}
*[http://marvel.com/movies/Iron_Man.Iron_Man_%282008%29 ''Iron Man''] on Marvel.com

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{{Iron Man}}
{{Jon Favreau}}
{{Marvel comics films}}

{{Box Office Leaders USA
| before = [[Baby Mama (film)| Baby Mama ]]
| date = May 4
| date2 = May 11
| year = 2008
| after = [[The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian]]
}}

[[Category:2008 films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films based on Marvel comics]]
[[Category:Films shot in Super 35]]
[[Category:Iron Man]]
[[Category:Paramount films]]
[[Category:2000s action films]]
[[Category:Science fiction action films]]
[[Category:Superhero films]]

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Citation needed regarding his brother Neil. Per the Hindenburg passenger list at http://www.nlhs.com/passenger-list.htm he was not aboard the craft.

Removed the statement due to no reference being cited, and given the link above. M A Mason 20:25, 3 February 2007 (UTC)
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