Marvel: 16 years ago, this tiny 33-second scene launched the biggest franchise in movie history

Today, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has 33 feature films divided into 5 different phases, numerous television series, and numerous characters that have often merged or crossed over from one film to another. 16 years ago, everything was still being built.

A true pioneer in the mainstream, the first Iron Man (directed by Jon Favreau under producer Kevin Feige) carefully laid the groundwork for what would soon become the most profitable franchise in film history.

• 18 years ago, the last frame of this Marvel movie made all the fans laugh

The cornerstone of the MCU

With Robert Downey Jr. in better-than-ever stage form, served by a highly effective script and impressive visual effects, Favreau’s film collected a promising $580 million worldwide and (perhaps more importantly) fan acclaim.

Indeed, in addition to many qualities, Iron Man had the merit of ending with a sequence full of promise, which the fans of the Marvel Universe definitely did not forget. remember…

At the end of his battle against Obadiah Stan (and his victory), Tony Stark held a press conference in front of dozens of journalists. Although he had to read a simple statement to formally explain the latest developments without raising suspicion about his secret identity, he surprised everyone by closing the film with these four little words:

“I am Iron Man.”

But everything did not stop there. Indeed, after 8 minutes, with the credits rolling on the screen for a long time, Jon Favreau’s film gave the few viewers who had the patience to stay in their seats the last surprise and the main surprise!

Inaugurating the now-famous tradition of post-credits scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man’s final stealth scene first set off a project on a much grander scale than the film we just saw.

In these few images, we can see Tony Stark returning home at night, greeted by a mysterious silhouette of a man wearing a long black coat and an eye patch.

“Now you’re part of a bigger world.”

“You think you’re the only superhero in the world?”the latter asked the man who, a few hours before, had been boasting like Iron Man in front of the whole world.

“Mr. Stark, you are now part of a larger universe, even if you don’t know it yet.”

Samuel L. The stranger playing Jackson introduced himself as Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD, and told a somewhat flustered Tony that he had come to talk to him. “The Avengers” and “Initiative project”.

16 years later, everyone could see the significant impact that this very small scene had on the film industry.

(Re)discover our video dedicated to Iron Man…