Robert Redford's Alexander Pierce is responsible for the most obvious and open Avengers reference, as he perpetuates the Iron Man mythology by stating that Nick Fury has to pay back a personal favour by making Stark appear at a family event: "Fine, but you've got to get Iron Man to stop by my niece's birthday party. And not just a flyby, he's got to mingle". Where To Watch Out For It The first time we meet Alexander Pierce within the immediately iconic SHIELD base.