Summary
Iron Man's practical suits in the early years of the MCU allowed for realistic movement, but CGI became more prevalent in later films.
The cosplayer in the TikTok video faces difficulties ascending stairs because of the restricted mobility offered by the current Iron Man suit. To uphold a realistic feel, Marvel Studios should contemplate incorporating more practical costumes and sets, akin to those employed in the earlier Iron Man movies.
Marvel Studios successfully concealed the challenges of wearing Iron Man's suit, but one cosplayer now reveals the truth. Since Robert Downey Jr. first embodied Tony Stark 15 years ago, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has undergone significant growth and transformation. Despite Iron Man's demise in Avengers: Endgame, fans continue to adore the iconic character, recognizing him as the face of the universe.
Inspired by the MCU's original hero, cosplayer ctk_creations showcases the arduous task of navigating in a functional Iron Man suit, a flaw that earlier versions of Tony Stark's armor had faced. Check out the TikTok video below:
The Real-Life Iron Man Fan Suit Shows Just How Impressive The MCU Is
The video showcases the cosplayer struggling to ascend a set of stairs gracefully due to the unconventional manner in which he wears his Iron Man suit. It is evident that mobility is a challenge while donning the outfit, despite its impressive appearance when the creator is stationary.
During the latter years of his tenure in the franchise, Robert Downey Jr.'s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) suit underwent a transformation to primarily CGI. This involved the actor donning a motion-capture suit adorned with markers that enabled visual effects (VFX) technicians to seamlessly incorporate the hero's armor in post-production. Generally, Downey Jr. only wore a chest plate to clearly depict the suit's central component, the arc reactor, while the rest was meticulously generated by computer technology.
In the early days of the character's appearances in the MCU, specifically in Jon Favreau's first Iron Man film, Robert Downey Jr. predominantly wore a practical suit. This meant that all of the armors, including the Mark I, were physically built, requiring Marvel Studios to not only make them look realistic but also ensure that Downey had mobility while wearing them. While there were some criticisms about the suits appearing rigid, overall they were impressive.
As the MCU incorporates more fantastical and cosmic elements, the reliance on post-production visual effects (VFX) work becomes more necessary not only for the characters' costumes but also for the environments in its projects. However, the practical suits worn by Iron Man in the earlier years of the franchise can serve as a reminder and even inspiration for Marvel Studios to avoid excessive dependence on CGI in its films and movies. Practical costumes and sets can still be the superior choice.
Source: @ctk_creations/TikTok
