According to the comic book, Marvel Comics’ “Iron Man #17″, issued on October
23, we learn that Tony Stark is an adopted son of son of Howard and Maria Stark,
but there is second son, naturally born to the couple. Tony Stark’s brother, Arno,
has an iron lung condition and can only communicate through computer by
typing texts. But what does his introduction mean to the Robert Downey, Jr.
dominated Marvel Universe?
Already there are speculations that Arno Stark is the new Iron Man. But this
cannot be far fetch, given that Robert Downey, Jr. has indicated that he want to
leave Marvel Comic Universe. This is very reasonable for him, given that he is
almost 50 years and has been playing Iron Man in five movies, perhaps it is time
he tried something new. Apart from the five movies, he is also in the imminent
sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron, and has promised to feature in Avanger 3. He has
played one character long enough and he might need to find a new challenge.
Arno Stark is portrayed as a clever chap, just as Tony, and enjoys a whole lot of
similarities with Tony, including a furtive sense of humour. He describes his
condition, iron lung, as incurable.
Up to date, The Avengers and Iron Man franchise have been Marvel’s highest
earners, and Downey has stood as the face of movies for a long time. Even
though Disney and Marvel have crafted ways to fill the devoid by creating
post-Avenger movies, such as Thor 2 and Captain America 2, and having Tom
Hiddleston (Loki) as a co-face of the Marvel Universe, they can’t afford to dump
the Iron Man movies.
There can be no better time for the introduction Tony’s brother than now. It is
obvious that when Tony exits, his brother will take over. We expect Arno to have
similar attributes as Tony, and more so those that made the former the King of
the Marvel Movies.Arno is introduced having a weakness, which relates to Tony’s sliver of shrapnel
next to the heart. We can guess that the Stark brothers will figure out how to fix
the condition. Arno is also as charming as Tony. He has a great sense of humour
but he doesn’t really look like Tony. The difference in their physical appearance
is what cement the idea that Robert Downey, Jnr. may be heading out for Marvel
Universe. Arno is totally different, after all he and Tony are not biological
brothers. Arno can be cast as anyone, so we can’t wait to see who come in!
Since Robert Downey, Jnr. has given his word to appear in Avenger 3, which hits
in 2017; Arno can team up with him for four years. And for a monthly comic
book, that is probably 50 issues of Iron Man. That time is enough for armour
upgrade and becoming a member of the Avengers. By then, most fans will have
taken Arno in and ready to let Tony go.
Marvel Universe
So probably Iron Man 4 will see Tony pass the torch to his brother. According to
the plot of the movie, Tony Stark dies, to allow Downey Jnr. to exit, but his legacy
lives on through Arno. As comic fans, we know that Arno is part of the sequel and
ensures continuity. All these point to another movie Iron Man Reborn for the audience. But whatever
the case, now Marvel has a better way of casting Downey as he bows out of the
Marvel Universe. Don’t be surprised if Justin Beiber hits the headlines as Arno
Stark in Iron Man 4. Marvel Comics “Iron Man #17 “, October 23 issue, is currently in stores.
Andreea Duma
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