News culture It took only 33 seconds for Marvel to launch the greatest saga in cinema history
Sometimes it doesn’t matter much to start a saga. In 2008, this film laid the foundation for a franchise that has now lasted for more than 16 years and has appeared in many forms, oscillating between films and series and opening the door to a variety of intrigues. It took thirty seconds to lay the foundation… for the Marvel Cinematic Universe: thank you, Iron Man!
16 years ago, the film “Iron Man” marked the beginning of one of the greatest film sagas
For many years, viewers have been able to enjoy the film adaptations of Marvel comics. However, it was not until 2008, no less than 16 years ago, that Marvel launched its biggest project to date: the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The turning point takes place in the final seconds of the feature film Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr., who seemed to be made for the role of Tony Stark. If you are a Marvel fan and nostalgic of that era, please note that the film recently appeared in the catalog of the Disney+ platform.
In many ways, this feature film, directed by Jon Favreau (who stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Happy Hogan) and produced by Kevin Feige, is of immense importance because it laid the foundations for an unmissable saga. This has grown so much that it now includes dozens of films – 33 to be exact -, several television shows and more or less acclaimed. While Phase 5 of this incredible superhero fresco will take a turn with the release of Deadpool and Wolverine next July, it is interesting to remember how it all began.
The most important 30 seconds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
We have just pointed it out: the Iron Man film is the cornerstone of the MCU, now under the supervision of the giant Disney. On the one hand, unlike the recent Marvel films, it was unanimous: a clear financial success (revenues of $580 million), a real critical success… All the ingredients for a great beginning were there, rounded off by an end full of promise and gratitude to its famous post-credits scene. In the space of 33 seconds, the fan is drawn into a saga that will ultimately span many years. In this extract, we discovered a character who was quite enigmatic at the time: Nick Fury.
While he thought he was settling quietly into his apartment, Tony Stark is greeted by the character played by Samuel L. Jackson. A few hours earlier, the billionaire surprised everyone by publicly announcing that he was Iron Man. That’s why Nick Fury preferred to warn him: he is far from the only superhero at the moment and that’s why he’s come to meet him. Far from giving him the pleasure of a disinterested visit, Nick Fury came to talk to him about the Avengers and Project Initiative. Today, Iron Man no longer exists, but he opened the doors to everything we have known since then and everything we will know.
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