MCU: 11 Things You Learn Rewatching Iron Man 2

5. Senator Stern Is Way More Interesting In Retrospect

Iron Man 2 Senator Stern Garry Shandling
Marvel Studios

At the time of Iron Man 2's release, the character of Senator Stern basically just seemed like a fairly generic, cardboard government toolbag wanting to ruin Tony Stark's fun, if enlivened somewhat by the casting of late comedy legend Garry Shandling.

After all, when he pins a medal on Stark at the end of the movie, he gets to deliver arguably the film's single best one-liner: "Funny how annoying a little prick can be, isn’t it?"

However, if you haven't seen Iron Man 2 since Captain America: The Winter Soldier came out, you might've completely forgotten that Sterns, who was revealed to be a HYDRA sleeper agent in The Winter Soldier, is even in Iron Man 2.

While screenwriter Justin Theroux clearly wasn't clued-on up on Stern's allegiance when writing this movie, it still adds a neat new layer to the film, knowing what his actual motivations were all along.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.