Tony Stark Was a Villain

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Tony Stark Was a Villain

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  • How Many Other Villains Did Tony Stark’s Actions Create?
  • Tony Stark Had a Fleet of Killer Drones
  • Iron Man’s Flaws Are What Make Him a Hero

As someone who has grown up watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe unfold, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration for Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. His journey from a self-centered billionaire to a hero who put the fate of the world above his own is nothing short of inspiring.

The announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will portray Doctor Doom within the Marvel Cinematic Universe has stirred excitement among fans, marking as it does the comeback of the actor who initiated the MCU. What’s more, he’ll be bringing to life one of the most iconic villains in comic book history. The role of Doctor Doom seems poised to be a significant antagonist within the entire MCU, making for an interesting contrast compared to Tony Stark/Iron Man, whose self-sacrifice has made him the franchise’s greatest hero. However, throughout the MCU, Tony Stark exhibits actions that call into question his heroism and instead cast a more sinister light on his deeds.

In a different phrasing, it’s important to clarify that we aren’t implying Tony Stark was evil or the ultimate villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Thanos and Kang posing greater threats. However, examining his actions as Iron Man shows that Tony Stark has had profound effects on the MCU. Numerous significant events that altered countless lives can be attributed to him. While The Hulk’s public image was tainted as a monster until joining The Avengers, some might argue that Tony Stark’s version of Iron Man acted more like the monstrous member of the team in comparison to heroes such as Captain America, Thor, Captain Marvel, and Black Panther. This viewpoint raises the question of whether Tony Stark could be considered a villain…and if this assessment is justified.

Tony Stark Created Ultron

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The biggest source of Tony Stark’s damaging impact can be seen in the creation of Ultron in the 2015 film Avengers: Age of Ultron. While Tony Stark’s intentions on the surface seem heroic, wanting to create a suit of armor around the world to protect the planet from threats like those The Avengers faced off with in their debut film or ones like Thanos in the future, Bruce Banner quickly points out that it sounds like a cold world. Tony Stark takes it upon himself to decide what is best for everyone and his will is the right way. He doesn’t tell the rest of The Avengers apart from Banner because he doesn’t want to be drawn into a debate with his teammates, thinking their opinions matter less than his.

In his overconfidence, Tony Stark develops Ultron. Contrary to their beliefs, Ultron mirrors its creator, Tony Stark. This idea is emphasized by Scarlet Witch when she says, “Ultron can’t discern between saving the world and destroying it; where do you think he learns that from?” The actions of Ultron could have been averted if Tony Stark hadn’t pursued the project or if he had consulted Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye in his plans. Essentially, Ultron is the physical manifestation of Tony Stark’s arrogance, translated into metal.

The emergence of Ultron, the destructive consequences that followed, and the subsequent events have had a profound and ongoing effect on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The aftermath of Ultron’s destruction of Sokovia brought about the establishment of the Sokovia Accords, which ultimately led to a rift within The Avengers. This fracture in their unity was further aggravated by Helmut Zemo’s personal loss and his subsequent desire for vengeance against the team. At this vulnerable time, the Avengers were unable to present a united front against Thanos, resulting in the infamous snap that eliminated half of all life in the universe.

Although some viewers found the title “Age of Ultron” misleading due to Ultron being active for only a short period (but set to return in the upcoming “Vision” series), it could be argued that the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it is known today, is essentially the Age of Ultron. This is because many events and characters originated from Ultron’s actions and his creation by Tony Stark. In essence, the Age of Ultron might more accurately be referred to as the Age of Stark.

How Many Other Villains Did Tony Stark’s Actions Create?

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In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tony Stark’s actions paved the way for various dangers to arise. Before he became Iron Man, his arms dealing activities resulted in Wanda and Pietro Maximoff’s parents’ demise, which ultimately led them to be subjected to experiments by Baron Strucker. Though they joined forces with the Avengers to fight Ultron, their temporary alliance with him caused the devastation of Sokovia. In Captain America: Civil War, Tony Stark viewed Wanda Maximoff more as a weapon than a person, pushing her towards her transformation into the Scarlet Witch in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

In the world of Iron Man 3, Aldrich Killian – once dismissed by Tony Stark on New Year’s Eve in 1999 – transformed into a different breed of arms dealer. Driven by rejection, he developed the Extremis serum, resulting in numerous deaths. The film delves into how Tony’s past indiscretions, before donning the Iron Man suit, would spawn ghosts that he’d eventually need to confront. Remarkably, even as Iron Man, Tony Stark continued to foster villains, despite his efforts to act righteously.

Despite donning the Iron Man suit, Tony Stark continued to amass adversaries. In the film “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, a gang of ex-Stark Industries workers banded together, with Quentin Beck – a former Stark industrialist who felt his holographic tech was belittled by Tony Stark – leading as Mysterio. Granted, it wasn’t entirely Tony Stark’s fault as Beck was undeniably unstable and not genuinely wronged by Stark. However, the case of another Spider-Man antagonist, Adrian Toomes/The Vulture, presents a distinct difference.

Adrian Toomes initially ran Bestman Salvage before it was seized by Damage Control, a collaboration between Stark Industries and the U.S government, following The Battle of New York in The Avengers, even though he had a city contract. Faced with financial ruin after investing in new equipment for this now-lost job, Toomes resorted to criminal activities and transformed into The Vulture, scavenging technology from subsequent superhero battles to peddle on the black market.

Tony Stark Had a Fleet of Killer Drones

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Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s most controversial development is the revelation that Tony Stark created a series of killer drones controlled by an A.I. named E.D.I.T.H (short for Even Dead, I’m The Hero). This revelation puts the heroic Tony Stark in an entirely new light. While Tony Stark certainly has a lot of care and admiration for Spider-Man and knows he has a good heart, it does feel irresponsible to put such a dangerous weapon in the hands of a 16-year-old. He could have easily handed them over to his wife, Pepper Potts, or even his good friend James Rhodey or another Avenger he trusted.

The drones resemble Ultron and HYDRA’s Project Insight in their intent to eliminate perceived threats, as seen in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Tony Stark now employs this method, cloaking it under the guise of heroism. This raises questions about the boundary between a hero like Tony Stark and a villain such as Victor von Doom. It’s not hard to envision Downey Jr. portraying Doctor Doom, a villain driven by the conviction that he could manage the world more effectively. Iron Man may not have been inherently evil like other MCU villains, but he was a hero with flaws.

Iron Man’s Flaws Are What Make Him a Hero

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In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Tony Stark’s imperfections, which have significantly impacted the storyline, have actually served as the cornerstones upon which the MCU was constructed. Unlike The Fantastic Four who are the bedrock of the Marvel Comics universe, Iron Man played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the MCU. The introduction of Iron Man emphasizes a crucial aspect of the thematic backbone of the MCU. While The Fantastic Four portrayed Marvel heroes as accidental products of science and antitheses to typical superhero power fantasies, Iron Man introduced characters in the MCU who could rise above their morally dubious past to shape their future.

Characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), such as Tony Stark, Black Widow, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Scott Lang (Ant-Man), Doctor Strange, and even Thor, often start off with less than heroic backgrounds. For instance, Tony Stark was a self-centered billionaire, while Black Widow was an assassin. The Guardians were criminal elements, but they all eventually transformed into one of the most remarkable superhero teams ever, forming a unique family bond. Scott Lang served time in prison before saving the world as Ant-Man. Similarly, both Doctor Strange and Thor initially lacked humility but learned its importance to become heroes. The MCU emphasizes that anyone, regardless of their past, can undergo redemption.

Initially, Tony Stark had flaws in his life that he aimed to rectify by assuming the role of Iron Man. In his first movie appearance, Stark admits to not being the typical hero material. However, despite his checkered past, the Marvel Cinematic Universe demonstrates that it’s never too late for an individual to transform their path and become a hero. Tony Stark may stumble frequently and commit errors while safeguarding others, but his intentions are often misguided rather than malicious. It is important to mention that Tony Stark has also done considerable good, saving countless lives as Iron Man. In the eyes of some, he’s a genius, rich playboy, philanthropist, and potentially a villain; while others view him as a hero.

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2024-09-01 03:32