The Marvel Cinematic Universe is 10 years old. While the ongoing narrative of the movies has seen a lot, so has the real world that we live in. Many issues have appeared, perpetuated, and disappeared in this decade-long window. A co-writer of the MCU's latest installment, Black Panther believes Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, would be received negatively if introduced today.
Writer, Joe Robert Cole spoke on his experience with Black Panther during a panel at SXSW, "Superhero Science." Taking in to account the societal factors of today, he doesn't think there would be much of a future for a character who's "douchey and disrespectful to women." Considering the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, a misogynistic character shouldn't be the face of the multi-billion-dollar film franchise. Cole also noted, "Think about where we are now, with this very vapid, unintelligent president and our world is crackling on the edges because of that."
Thankfully, Tony has done some growing up these past 10 years. However with new, personable characters in the films like the Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man, and the Black Panther himself, audiences have more characters to identify with. With Black Panther reaching $1 billion, the influence is evident.
[via Business Insider]