Over the years since Marvel's Avengers-related films started to command the box office each summer, I've gotten into a number of debates with friends over who the most important Avenger is. Generally, I'm arguing in favor of Iron Man, while everyone else seems to support Captain America. The trouble is that the people I argue with are comic fans, whereas I'm more of a cinephile whose introduction to most Marvel characters was on the big screen. And it seems that that makes a big difference in any discussion on this particularly topic.
Ultimately, the argument I make is that Iron Man, whether or not his position on the team is as esteemed in comic lore as it has become in film, is the public's favorite Marvel character in the modern cinematic era. These are my arguments for why that's the case.
Chris Evans Can't Compete With Robert Downey, Jr.
This is really almost as far as the argument needs to go: actors matter at the movies! This is no knock on Chris Evans, who always seems like an amiable guy and certainly displays acting chops here and there. Rather, it's a simple statement that, as one of the highest-paid, most recognizable, and most charismatic actors in Hollywood, Robert Downey, Jr. lends the Tony Stark/Iron Man character an advantage that no storyline or comic background can compete with.
Think of it this way: there's a reason a film like The Monuments Men can gross over $150 million (according to Box Office Mojo) despite a disastrous 31% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes. That reason is that it was stacked with popular, charismatic actors including George Clooney and Matt Damon. Along these lines, if, hypothetically, two films were released with the exact same scripts and direction, but Evans starred in one and Downey, Jr. the other, the Downey, Jr. version may gross $100 million more. This is just the way things work, and it's the main reason Iron Man reigns supreme in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Iron Man's Powers Transcend Ordinary Physics
I'm convinced this is another big reason for Iron Man's superior appeal on screen. It's actually strange, because in some respects Iron Man is the least "super" of Marvel superheroes, relying on technology more than inherent power (other than incredible intelligence and wealth) to get by. On screen, however, his movements and abilities are in some ways the furthest from actual human potential. Sure, the Hulk is huge, Thor can fly, and Captain America is incredibly athletic, but at the end of the day all three of them are basically punching and kicking. Iron Man is doing all kinds of fun, crazy things that are more spectacular to a viewer.
Further evidence of this difference between hero abilities and their respective appeals is actually clear in video game circles. Both Hulk and Captain America (Thor not so much) have had fairly successful console gaming releases, whereas Iron Man, despite astronomical popularity, has little to show for himself in these spheres. The most well-known Iron Man video game out there may in fact be a slot machine that makes use of his character license, rather than an action experience. Gala Bingo's hub calls this game a "Full Metal Jackpot," displaying Iron Man art on its cover and teasing a Missile Attack Bonus. However, while the game gives you a fun sampling of a popular superhero to improve upon a casino experience, it doesn't provide traditional gameplay elements. All of this is to say that Iron Man seems like a difficult character for video games to capture, because his powers and abilities are larger than life. The other s function just fine in beat-em-up formats.
Iron Man Is Flawed & Human
Even if the character's abilities exceed human limitations and Downey, Jr.'s charisma is off-the-charts, it's still fair to say that Iron Man is by far the most flawed and human of the Avengers. The past 15 years of superhero films have largely proven that the public reacts favorably to vulnerability and human elements. We love seeing Batman pushed to his psychological limits by the Joker far more than we enjoy seeing Superman and General Zod throw each other through buildings for half an hour.
More simply, we just like the human element, and Downey, Jr. delivers it in spades. Time Magazine, upon the release of Iron Man 3, theorized that Iron Man was the only interesting Avenger, and their explanation was perfect: "[He's] a character simultaneously cocky and vulnerable, an only slightly repentant jerk who wins you over despite himself." There are flaws there there that none of the other Avengers even approaches—and no, Bruce Banner's anger issues don't count.
Given all of these arguments, and the fact that they become more apparent with each new film, it's pretty clear that Robert Downey, Jr.'s Tony Stark/Iron Man character is running away with the title of cinema's favorite Avenger. Or at least, as Time put it, he's certainly the most interesting.
