It's difficult to believe today, but filming a superhero movie wasn't always a safe bet. Even if it had the potential to succeed, the production costs were likely to outweigh the box office profits. This is why it took Marvel several years to produce Iron Man until it was ultimately released in 2008. It was the first film to be fully funded by Marvel itself. It ended up making the company a fortune and even launching the largest cinematic universe ever built. ¹⁾

Stan based the character on Howard Hughes, a millionaire philanthropist from the twentieth century. This individual was characterized by Lee as “one of the most colorful men of our time.” He was an innovator, an explorer, a multibillionaire, a ladies' man, and, in the end, a nutcase.“ That sounds like a superhero to us! ²⁾

Robert Downey Jr. was a recognized actor before he became the humorous superhero we've admired for over a decade, but a problematic casting choice owing to his famed fight with addiction. As a result, Marvel was hesitant to bring him on board, but Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau worked hard to persuade the studios that he was the ideal option. ³⁾