Many fans of Tony Stark’s armor-clad alter ego were excited when EA Motive, the studio behind the critically acclaimedDead Spaceremake, announced it was working with Marvel on an all-newIron Mangame. Whilethe future of the MCU’s Iron Manis still uncertain, the titular hero will soon join the ranks of Spider-Man and Wolverine as the star of his own AAA game. Details aboutIron Manremain scarce at this point, but as EA Motive helps the character fly from film to a more interactive medium it should take one of his underrated MCU foes along for the ride.
WhileEA Motive has no shortage of greatIron Manvillainsto choose from, one enemy that would make a perfect foil for Tony Stark in the new game is rival industrialist Justin Hammer. Familiar to MCU fans thanks to his portrayal by Sam Rockwell inIron Man 2, Hammer’s long-running rivalry with Stark makes him a great choice for the antagonist in EA Motive’sIron Man. With both the films and comics to draw on for inspiration, Hammer could work equally well as a bumbling thorn in Iron Man’s side or a cold and calculating foe set on destroying Tony Stark at any cost.
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A Comedic Justin Hammer Would Play Well Against an MCU-Style Iron Man
TheIron Mangame is the first release in athree-game deal between EA and Marvel, so featuring a somewhat lighter tone and smaller stakes than the multiverse-threatening calamities of the MCU might be a good way to ease players into this new universe. An MCU-style Justin Hammer would be a great villain for this sort of story, with his determination to take down Tony Stark matched only by his ineptitude. Hammer’s style of bumbling comedic villainy could also be a prime target for Iron Man’s trademark wit throughout the game.
That’s not to say that a comedic Justin Hammer couldn’t be a menacing villain. Even in his MCU portrayal the character had a dark undertone, showing little-to-no regard for human life in pursuit of his goal of destroying Stark Industries and Iron Man. With the arms manufacturing expertise of Hammer Industries and a fortune rivaling Tony Stark’s own at his disposal, Justin Hammer could equip his in-game army of henchmen with devastating weaponry surpassing even the tech inIron Man’s many suits.
Introducing Justin Hammer Opens the Door to One of Iron Man’s Most Pivotal Character Arcs
EA Motive could also go a darker route with Justin Hammer, taking inspiration from the character’s history inIron Mancomicsand incorporating elements of one of the most acclaimed story arcs in Marvel history. The 1979 storyDemon in a Bottlefeatured Hammer taking control of Iron Man’s suit, forcing him to kill a diplomat before sending an army of villains to destroy Stark and Iron Man once and for all. The story sees Stark seeking solace in a bottle to cope with the events, nearly losing everything to addiction before taking back control of his life.
While EA’sIron Manis unlikely to touch on a subject as heady as substance abuse,Demon in a Bottlecould still provide a framework for the game’s story. Seeing Tony Stark manipulated into murder before discovering that Justin Hammer had been the one providing financing and firepower to his foes over the years would make the fight between the rival industrialists a deeply personal one. Centering the story around Stark’s fight to preserve his life and his company, rather than the usual world-ending stakes associated with the genre, could giveIron Man’s narrative more emotional depth than would be possible with a moretraditional superhero game.
Whether it chooses a comedic take on the character, or a darker tone more befitting his comic book roots, Justin Hammer would be a great antagonist for EA Motive’sIron Mangame. With access to advanced weapons and swarms of Hammer Drones at his command, the evil industrialist would pose a challenge for the armored hero that few other villains could match.
TheIron Mangame is currently in development.
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