10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Iron Man's 10 MCU Appearances 4 Years After His Death

Iron Man Wasn’t A Good Leader

A detail that becomes clear upon revisiting Iron Man’s MCU appearances is that he probably wasn’t qualified to be the leader of the franchise’s heroes. Though he’s certainly one of the MCU’s most beloved characters, he often treats his teammates with playful disdain, which certainly isn’t a quality befitting a typical leader. Tony Stark is also shown to be arrogant and reckless, as opposed to other MCU heroes who are much more measured in their decisions. Stark’s MCU characterization may be iconic, but he’d not necessarily be considered leadership material in any conventional circumstances.

Chris Evans as Captain America arguing with Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in The Avengers (2012)

Iron Man's arrogance and recklessness, while adding a layer of complexity to his character, may have hindered his ability to lead effectively. His interactions with fellow heroes often reflect a lack of true leadership qualities, making it clear that his role as a leader in the franchise may not have been the best fit.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man firing lasers in The Avengers (2012)

Tony Stark Might Be Too Important To The MCU

As the first hero introduced into the MCU, Tony Stark is one of its most influential characters. Every MCU TV show and movie has been built upon the foundation of his earliest appearance. As a result, there’s very little in the MCU that hasn’t been influenced by Tony Stark, and that becomes all too apparent upon rewatching his appearances. However, making him such a central figure is potentially damaging to the franchise as a whole. Stark’s legacy in the MCU remains hugely important even four years on from his demise, and it’s clear that the franchise will need to find a way to move forward without its central hero.

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark during weapons demo in Iron Man (2008)

Tony Stark's influence on the entire MCU is undeniable, and his absence has left a significant void. The franchise's reliance on his character and story has become evident, raising questions about its ability to evolve without him. The challenge of moving forward without its most influential character presents a daunting task for the MCU.

Tony Stark's funeral wreath in Avengers Endgame

Iron Man Probably Did More Harm Than Good

One of the harsh realities of Iron Man in the MCU is that his heroism often doesn’t outweigh his mistakes. Even after seeing the error of his arms-manufacturing ways, Stark’s attempts to help the world often backfired, such as when he accidentally created Ultron, resulting in the deaths of countless Sokovians. Many of Iron Man’s worst decisions proved costly mistakes, and even though his arc as one of the MCU’s most tragic heroes is all the better for it, it’s clear that he ultimately seems to do more harm than good throughout much of the franchise.

Tony Stark's Iron Man aiming his arm in Iron Man 2

Iron Man's journey is marked by a series of costly mistakes that overshadow his heroic endeavors. His flawed decisions and unintended consequences reveal a darker side to his character, challenging the perception of his overall impact on the MCU.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man about to use the Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers: Endgame (2019)