Avengers: Infinity War - How ALL 18 MCU Movies So Far Tie In

16. Iron Man 2

Mentions Of Infinity Stones?

None, though there is another fairly compelling theory that the new, secret element that Tony develops for his new arc reactor is in fact in some way tied to the Soul Stone. Might be a little left-field, but it wouldn't be the strangest thing in the MCU by some distance.

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Like the first movie, the really important thing that Iron Man 2 will take into Infinity War is Tony's developing obsession with accountability and how actions lead to reactions. Vanko's appearance, for instance, reminded him that not treating colleagues correctly can lead to furious (and almost deadly) vengeance.

This was also where Tony really learned that he was vulnerable. Having survived a ridiculous amount of damage in the first movie, he ended it believing his superheroism so much he literally had a press conference about it. He was about one step away from crowing and beating his chest. But then Iron Man 2 knocked him back to his knees and showed his proclivity to self-destructive behaviour.

The fear that that exists in him - and his desire to save the Earth and his loved ones - was very much born here and will come back into play in Infinity War.