While fans regularly dream of a return of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is legitimate to wonder in what form it would return. After all, Tony Stark is (spoiler) well and truly dead in Avengers Endgame. But it’s not the sources of inspiration that are lacking for Marvel Studios, since comics are full of stories of all kinds about superheroes. Among those on Iron Man, his Ultimate version would be a particularly interesting choice.
What if Iron Man made his return to the MCU?
Almost three years later Avengers: EndgameIron Man still remains in the hearts of fans and probably remains the community’s most beloved superhero. As intelligent and courageous as he is full of himself, Tony Stark has always had to fight against enemies threatening the security of the Earth (and the universe) as well as against his own demons. A character far from smooth, therefore, but that is precisely what makes it so interesting.
If he never returned to the MCU as Robert Downey Jr., many fans would be very saddened. And if we can wonder how a potential return would take place, it is already allowed to make first assumptions, there are so many versions of the character created by Stan Lee. One in particular, the “Ultimate” version of Iron Man, might be particularly interesting to deal with.. The origin of this one is indeed totally different from the one we know, but could eventually see the light of day in the MCU thanks to the establishment of the multiverse, which will also be at the heart of the next one. Doctor Strange.
We are going to introduce you to a physically hypersensitive Tony Stark with a big peculiarity: he has blue skin.
An origin story too different to be brought to the big screen?
No, Tony Stark was never a Smurf and will not appear in the next Avatar. But in his version “Ultimate”whose comics written by Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Cycle) were published from 2005, Tony Stark has had blue skin since birth. Indeed, his father, the billionaire Howard Stark, developed a blue bio-armor which spreads thanks to a spray. The big problem with this body armor, which can withstand the majority of injuries and other pain, is thatit devours its host from within.
To combat this phenomenon, Howard’s wife, Maria, worked on a virus that would regenerate limbs and tissues. Unfortunately, while she is pregnant, she is infected with this virus. This causes his death during childbirth but his son, young Tony, survives thanks to his father. Indeed, while he was suffering a lot and was about to die too, Howard Stark saves him by spreading the spray-armor on him. As a result, Tony Stark grows up with entirely and continuously blue skin, which he will not manage to hide until much later by developing in turn a version of the armor whose color recalls that of his original skin. For the rest of his life, his skin will be hyper-sensitive due to the virus infection, partly explaining the addictions of Stark, who will seek to drown the pain.
If seeing such a version of Tony Stark appear in the MCU is not impossible, it’s a safe bet that the screenwriters won’t venture into such terrain, as this origin story is so different from what the general public knows. Doubt remains, however, since like the Tony Stark known to all, his Ultimate version is also a genius from an early age and must subsequently learn to cope with his popularity when his superhero identity is revealed to the general public. day.
