2008’s Iron Man marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and since then Tony Stark was been credited for the success of the franchise, helming nine projects. Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man has remained iconic and his death in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ shattered the fans.
While the fans and the entire industry credited Robert Downey Jr. for turning the MCU into a reality, some believe that the credit should go to the other Marvel star. Here’s who deserves the credit for bringing life into the MCU.
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Rob Liefeld Believes The Wolverine Star Deserves Credit
As per the ‘Deadpool’ creator Rob Liefeld, this one ‘X-Men’ character should get the credit for turning the MCU into a reality. Liefeld appreciated Hugh Jackman for paving the way for Robert Downey Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’. The release of ‘X-Men’ in 2000 was an experiment to determine the audience’s preference, although the film gained success and the studio gained confidence and started working on MCU, which then marked the beginning of Avengers with Iron Man.
While speaking with Brandon Davis from ComicBook, Rob Liefeld said, “You don’t get Robert Downey Jr. without Hugh Jackman. If Wolverine doesn’t stick the landing, if he doesn’t work in X-Men (2000). I remember FOX gave me a preview screening of X-Men (2000) about a month before it was released. They had like 50, 60 people see it. I drove up to L.A. and I could not believe because I’d heard horror stories. It’s cheap.”
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MCU’s Success Was In The Hands Of Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman walked so that Robert Downey. Jr could run. Although the ‘Oppenheimer’ star is credited for kickstarting MCU, fans often forget Jackman’s contribution to the franchise. Taking the opportunity, (as ‘Deadpool 3’ will soon hit the theater), Rob Liefeld truly believes that the success of the MCU was in the hands of Jackman, and it was only because of him Robert Downey. Jr’s Iron Man exists.
Being a titular character in the movie and a pivotal character of the ‘X-Men’ franchise, it was entirely on Jackman to earn the audience over to the superhero flick. Liefeld said, “If Hugh Jackman, because Wolverine is the most popular character in the world at that time. If he doesn’t stick the landing and I said, Hugh, it’s you. We are not in this comic book world unless Marvel and FOX get Wolverine right. And he loved it. He deserves to hear it. We should say it to him all the time.”
However, ‘Deadpool 3‘ will mark X-Men’s official entry into Marvel with Hugh Jackman reprising his iconic role and Ryan Reynolds will be seen in his titular suit.
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