"Iron Man 2" released 2010

Iron Man 2, directed by Jon Favreau, was released in the US May 7, 2010.  It was the sequel to Iron Man released in 2008.  It starred Robert Downey, Jr in the title role with Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan.

It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.   It was the seventh-highest grossing film of 2010.

"Iron Man" released 2008

Iron Man, the first in the Iron Man trilogy movies, was released May 2, 2008 in the U.S.  Starring Robert Downey, Jr. as the title role, it chronicled the Marvel super-hero's beginnings, downfalls and resurrection.  Originally, Iron Man was created during the Vietnam War but director Jon Favreau didn't want to do a "period piece" so he updated the setting to Afghanistan.

Favreau also appeared in the film as Tony Stark's chaffeur.  Gwyneth Paltrow starred as Pepper Potts and Jeff Bridges appeared in a rare bad-guy role as Obadiah Stane.

American Film Institute selected Iron Man as one of the best films of the year.  Empire Magazine ranked it as one of the best 500 movies of all time.


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