As a cinephile with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must admit that Guy Pearce‘s claim about Iron Man 3 being a Christmas movie is a bit of a stretch. However, it does have a festive setting and some creative use of ornaments as weapons, making it somewhat reminiscent of Die Hard – another action film that has managed to carve out its own unique place in the holiday movie canon.
In the last ten years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has generally avoided Christmas themes, except for a few instances such as James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special” and the Disney+ series “Hawkeye”. Even though these projects are recent, they represent the only significant instances where Christmas has been portrayed in the MCU. Interestingly, Guy Pearce claims that the first Marvel Christmas movie occurred during Phase 2, but it seems we all forgot about it. Pearce played Aldrich Killian in “Iron Man 3”, a character who initially appeared as an ally to Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), only to later be unmasked as The Mandarin and attempt to create super-soldiers using the Extremis virus.
In an interview with Screen Rant to publicize his latest A24 film titled “The Brutalist“, Pearce humorously conceded to the idea that “Iron Man 3” can be considered a Christmas movie, as he suggested. When asked by Liam Crowley, “Do you think Iron Man 3 is a Christmas film?”, Pearce laughed and responded affirmatively, saying, “Yes, I could definitely see that. Absolutely.
The less memorable “Iron Man 3” isn’t typically considered a timeless holiday favorite, not even for devoted Marvel enthusiasts. Yet, the film incorporates elements often found in Christmas movies. Notably, the climactic battle among Tony Stark, Aldrich Killian, and their minions takes place close to Christmas day. In another action sequence, Tony Stark employs Christmas tree decorations as weapons. Essentially, “Iron Man 3” resembles one of those Christmas movies that are only half-cooked, similar to “Die Hard”. It’s classified as a Christmas movie due to its setting, but it can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Robert Downey Jr. Is Returning to the MCU
In the movie “Iron Man 3”, Aldrich Killian, played by Guy Pearce, suffered a fatal blow at the hands of an Extremis-enhanced Pepper Potts. Although death isn’t always permanent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pearce has shown no interest in reprising his role. Contrastingly, Robert Downey Jr., who starred alongside Pearce in “Iron Man 3”, will be returning to the series, taking on a fresh character.
Following more than a decade portraying Tony Stark, culminating in his self-sacrifice in “Avengers: Endgame”, Robert Downey Jr. is set to transition into Marvel’s next significant antagonist. The Academy Award-winning actor will embody Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars”. The specifics of his comeback are yet to be clarified. It remains uncertain whether the Avengers will recognize Doctor Doom as Tony Stark, or if cinematic trickery will intervene, allowing the team to perceive him as a completely new character.
The casting choice for this role has sparked debate among fans. On one hand, supporters are thrilled to see the award-winning actor back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as Downey Jr. was instrumental in establishing its early success. Yet, others express confusion over the decision, feeling that Marvel Studios should have opted for a fresh face instead of relying on a familiar one. Many fans had hoped to see Cillian Murphy in the role, but it’s questionable whether he would ever commit to a Marvel film.
Iron Man 3 is streaming on Disney+. Avengers: Doomsday releases in theaters in 2026.
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2024-12-09 18:02