13 Iconic Movie Characters Who Were Supposed To Die (But Didn't)

8. Happy Hogan - Iron Man 3

The Original Plan

In many ways, Happy Hogan should have died in Iron Man 3 when he was caught in a terrorist style blast at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. That would have given Tony Stark his real catalyst for going full-on bat-sh*t at the Mandarin, rather than him being lumbered with the slightly less cool sounding "you hurt my friend" excuse.

And that was the original plan, because Shane Black loves to kill characters for effect. The story boards for the film reveal that Hogan would have died during a hand-to-hand battle with one of the Mandarin's mooks - James Badge Dale's Savin - at the Theatre, confirming that he is indeed the worst bodyguard of all time.

What Happened Instead?

Apparently, Shane Black had an uncharacteristic change of heart and decided Happy didn't need to die, so he was put into a coma for most of the film instead, only to wake at the end for a gag.

He returns for Spider-Man: Homecoming and Infinity War (allegedly), suggesting that he might well be immortal.