9. It All Comes Full Circle
Not really something you missed from the film itself, but a fun piece of trivia all the same. It seems a lifetime ago, but back when Iron Man turned Marvel into a heavyweight blockbuster production company, Robert Downey Jr. was far from a safe bet as a star. Here was a man whod suffered from substance abuse, spending long stints in rehab following arrests and relapses, heading up a summer tentpole. The key step in making Downey Jr. suitable for the role was a starring role in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a whip smart comedy thriller that proved integral in Jon Faverau picking him as the Tony Stark. So far so 2008. But when Faverau stepped down from directing duties, Shane Black stepped up, much to Downey Jr.s delight; he'd put in a good work for his close friend, who had been his director on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. So Blacks film was not only instrumental in Downey Jr. getting the original role, it ended up directly shaping the trilogys ending too.