IRON MAN 2: New Details Emerge About Why "Demon In A Bottle" Storyline Was Scrapped

Iron Man 2 was far from Marvel Studios' best sequel, and a big part of that was the way it bungled the famous "Demon in a Bottle" storyline. Now, more details about why it was scrapped have surfaced...

By JoshWilding - May 03, 2022 07:05 AM EST

Filed Under: Iron Man 2

It's no secret that Iron Man 2 was a tough movie for Marvel Studios to make. With a series of crazy demands from star Mickey Rourke, pressure to deliver the sequel just two years after Iron Man, and a script that was in constant flux, it's no wonder the finished product was a disappointment.

One real sticking point for fans was how the ball was dropped on the "Demon in a Bottle" story arc.

While Tony Stark's love of a stiff drink certainly played into the sequel, it was really only given a passing glance, and the hero's alcoholism proved to be a non-factor after this 2010 blockbuster. That's a far cry from the comic books where the Armoured Avenger continues to struggle with his drinking problem, but a new profile from Vulture sheds some light on why Marvel Studios ultimately shifted its focus.

"That storyline remained intact long enough for production designer Michael Riva to design a toilet for Iron Man to puke in," the site explains in a lengthy piece about how Iron Man 2 was made, "but it was ultimately scuttled before principal photography by studio suits concerned an alcoholic Iron Man would derail overseas marketing and depress sales of toys and merch."

"Susan Downey pushed back against the plot line too out of concern for her husband’s health."

Remember, Robert Downey Jr. has battled his own demons in the past, so having him play an Iron Man struggling with alcohol abuse might not have been the most appropriate idea for this movie.

It's a shame "Demon in a Bottle" never saw the light of day, but it could always happen down the line. For now, Marvel Studios has moved on from telling Tony Stark's story, with the focus instead set to shift to Riri Williams/Ironheart in the wake of Iron Man's death in Avengers: Endgame.

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80 Comments

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ScRipt69 - 5/3/2022, 7:35 AM

Bit much for Iron Man 2 with MCU in its infancy.

Nightwing1015 - 5/3/2022, 7:37 AM

"Remember, Robert Downey Jr. has battled his own demons in the past, so having him play an Iron Man struggling with alcohol abuse might not have been the most appropriate idea for this movie."

I mean....he's a professional. He's an actor. Plenty of Hollywood has struggled with alcohol, but you gotta do your job.

Origame - 5/3/2022, 7:46 AM

@Nightwing1015 - and it's not like his iron man isn't an alcoholic anyway. They just never go the extra step to say his drinking is a problem, which if anything seems less appropriate for RDJ given his history.

tripttwe - 5/3/2022, 7:47 AM

@Nightwing1015 - 🎯

Kumkani - 5/3/2022, 7:52 AM

@Nightwing1015 - The idea is that playing an alcoholic might have triggered him and caused him to relapse, but we'll never know if that would have happened.

TheHumanSpider2 - 5/3/2022, 8:02 AM

@Nightwing1015 - I agree

TheWalkingCuban - 5/3/2022, 8:08 AM

@Nightwing1015 - I can’t believe folks here are more heartless than Disney executives. Hey if you want this job you’ll have to be triggered beyond belief, come on man, professional? They should’ve just recast him right? Maybe Tom Sizemore or Corey haim I believe he was still kickin

URCOMMENTSUCKS - 5/3/2022, 8:54 AM

@Origame - he isn't. Taking sips of martini doesn't mean you're a slave of the bottle. Stark of the comics was so effed up by his addiction, he became homeless and wanted to die.

TheManWithoutFear - 5/3/2022, 7:40 AM

I still really enjoy Iron Man 2. Stark, Hammer, Fury, Widow there is plenty there to make it a good watch. Also gave us what is still my favourite armour to this day.

tmp3 - 5/3/2022, 7:45 AM

So weird that Justin Theroux wrote this movie, and that making it seems to have stressed him out so much. Also weird that his only CBM credits are this and a cameo in Joker, considering he's got an incredible physique and gave one of the best performances I've ever seen on TV in The Leftovers

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IRON MAN 2: New Details Emerge About Why "Demon In A Bottle" Storyline Was Scrapped

Iron Man 2 was far from Marvel Studios' best sequel, and a big part of that was the way it bungled the famous "Demon in a Bottle" storyline. Now, more details about why it was scrapped have surfaced...

Marvel Creative Committee Nixed IRON MAN 2 Scene With A Drunk Tony Stark Hitting Pepper Potts

IRON MAN 2 Actor Elon Musk Closes Deal To Purchase Twitter For $44 Billion

Marvel Creative Committee Nixed IRON MAN 2 Scene With A Drunk Tony Stark Hitting Pepper Potts