Over the last two weeks, Iron Man fans have been treated to sporadic reveals of its cast in a series of character posters, with the sitting menace of Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin nearly outshining Don Cheadle’s pensive stare as the Iron Patriot. It was only a matter of time before we got to see Pepper Potts and the Man himself in their own posters, also staring pensively. After the mild hilarity that was Mickey Rourkey’s Whiplash in Iron Man 2, it looks like things are really getting serious for Iron Man 3.
Another iron thumbs up to Empire for revealing the last two character posters, with a suited-but-unmasked Tony Stark appearing on the cover while Gwyneth's Paltrow’s Pepper Potts is shown holding Stark’s disembodied head. Well, it’s probably just the same destroyed mask that Stark is holding, but the eyes are glowing, and she doesn’t look like she’s celebrating Iron Man’s latest victory, so I’m taking dramatic liberties. Take a look at the subscriber’s only cover below, which isn’t cluttered with all the attention-grabbing headlines of the street edition.
Note the absolute contrast between the destruction done to the suit and the “fresh from the stylist” look of Robert Downey Jr.’s face. It isn’t the most convincing look. At least Paltrow doesn’t need to look beat up to appear sad. My only question is, were these posters created in a welder’s shop? What’s with all the sparks all over the place? Their purpose is understood, but it doesn’t do much for the aesthetic.
These two posters, as well as the one of Iron Man falling down to Earth in a blaze of non-glory, focus on the humbling ass-whooping that Iron Man will be experiencing in Iron Man 3 that guides the film’s revenge-soaked plot. Iron Man 3 will smash through theaters on May 3.
And for completists’ sakes, here is the street version of Empire’s next issue, which calls Iron Man “The Original Avenger,” which spits in the face of Captain America: The First Avenger. Fight! Fight! Fight!
