Iron Man 2
Movie, 2010, Phase 1, Set in 2011
Iron Man 2 is #3 of 69 in release order and #6 of 69 in chronological order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The story
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts and James 'Rhodey' Rhodes at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.
Iron Man 2 recap
Six months after revealing that he is Iron Man, Tony refuses the Senate's demand to hand over his suit, while the palladium core in his arc reactor slowly poisons him. In Russia, Ivan Vanko, whose father worked with Howard Stark before being deported, builds his own reactor and electric whips and attacks Tony at the Monaco Grand Prix. Rival arms dealer Justin Hammer breaks Vanko out of prison to build an army of drones. Tony, believing he is dying, makes Pepper CEO, gets drunk in his suit at his birthday party and fights James Rhodes, who flies off with a spare suit for the military. His new assistant, Natalie Rushman, is really Natasha Romanoff, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Nick Fury gives Tony his father's old belongings, and Tony finds a new element hidden in Howard's model of the Stark Expo and builds it to replace the palladium.
Iron Man 2 ending explained
At Hammer's presentation at the Stark Expo, Vanko takes control of the drones and of Rhodes's suit, now called War Machine. Natasha gives control back to Rhodes, and Tony and Rhodes destroy the drones and beat Vanko, who blows himself up. Tony and Pepper kiss. Fury's assessment says Tony is fit to consult for the Avengers Initiative but not to join it.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. In the post-credits scene, Agent Coulson arrives at a crater in the New Mexico desert, where a large hammer lies in the ground. It leads directly into Thor.
Where to watch Iron Man 2
Iron Man 2 is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 72%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Incredible Hulk, before Thor.
- Chronological order: after The Incredible Hulk, before Thor.
What to watch before Iron Man 2
Iron Man (2008), which Iron Man 2 (2010) continues.
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts
- Don Cheadle as Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes
- Scarlett Johansson as Natalie Rushman / Natasha Romanoff
- Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer
- Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko
- Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
- Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson
- John Slattery as Howard Stark
- Garry Shandling as Senator Stern
- Paul Bettany as Jarvis (voice)
- Kate Mara as U.S. Marshal
Directed by Jon Favreau.