6. From Writer To President
While his performance may be slightly too minor to enter the pantheon of great on-screen Presidents, William Sadlers President Ellis will be remembered for his chilling almost execution at the film's climax. Dressed in the red, white and blue Iron Patriot suit suspended above a soon to ignite Christmas tree, it lends real suspense to a final battle that had a hard act to follow after The Battle Of New York. But it isn't that scene that has Ellis on this list. The Extremis comic series, on which much of the film is based, was written by Warren Ellis. As well as a cheeky nod to the writer, its arguably symbolic as it is Ellis resolute anti-terrorism campaign that led to Extremis creation. The six-part story was also the inspiration for cinematic Iron Mans origin - rewriting the terrorists in a cave element into the story - and the poisoning issue in Iron Man 2, so it seems fair to acknowledge such an influential run.