An alternate version of Iron Man‘s famous post-credits scene included Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) referencing the X-Men and Spider-Man. The post-credits scene for 2008’s Iron Man connected the film to a wider cinematic universe, with SHIELD director Nick Fury visiting Tony Stark to discuss the “Avenger Initiative” with him while also hinting at other superheroes.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige was recently awarded the Stan Lee World Builder Award at the Saturn Awards, but he could not be in attendance. He recorded a pre-taped message to accept the award and to give everyone a special surprise. He revealed a never-before-seen alternate version of Iron Man‘s post-credits scene.
In the clip, Fury says, “As if gamma accidents, radioactive bug bites and assorted mutants weren’t enough, I have to deal with a spoiled brat who doesn’t play well with others and wants to keep all his toys to himself.”
Why exactly the scene wasn’t used isn’t entirely clear, though it may have had to do with rights issues. Although Marvel Studios has typically been safe to use Bruce Banner/Hulk outside of solo films, Peter Parker/Spider-Man still, at the time of Iron Man, fell under the purview of Sony Pictures. Mutants, meanwhile, were squarely in Fox’s camp, with no indication at the time they’d ever appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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