The MCU has a villain problem with respect to one part of its franchise, but it’s something that Iron Man 4 can fix. Since the MCU debuted with Iron Man in 2008, the wealth of live-action villains adapted from Marvel Comics is vast.

Many, though not all, of the founding Avengers have gone on to have multiple solo movies, including Iron Man himself, with each one tending to pit the heroes against a new and even greater threat. Some of these villains, like Loki, would then go on to be as iconic as their adversaries.

Iron Man’s MCU legacy is still having ripple effects in the MCU today, both as part of the narrative and behind the scenes of the MCU.

Emerging as one of the MCU’s most iconic characters from relative obscurity in pop culture, Tony Stark’s absence after his character-defining sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame seems to have had a huge impact on the popularity of the MCU, which recently suffered a record-breaking box office bomb.

The same fondness is not present, however, for Iron Man’s rogues gallery, which is easily the most disappointing in the MCU.

In “Iron Man 4,” Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, faces new challenges as he tries to balance his life as a billionaire inventor and superhero. The film explores Stark’s struggle with the technological advancements he has made, which attract the attention of a new villain who seeks to exploit these innovations for nefarious purposes.

The plot centers on Stark’s efforts to stop a series of attacks that threaten global security. As he delves deeper into the conspiracy, Stark uncovers hidden agendas and confronts a powerful adversary who has a personal vendetta against him. Alongside familiar allies like Pepper Potts and James Rhodes, Stark must harness his genius and the latest in his technology to save the world once again.

The film combines high-octane action sequences with a deeper exploration of Stark’s character, showcasing his vulnerabilities and evolution as a hero.