Set photos and teases have become a regular part of Marvel’s production process, and Jon Favreau recently posted a picture of him as Happy Hogan, back on set of Avengers: Infinity War alongside two of his Iron Man franchise co-stars.
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Aside from confirming that Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts will be back for Avengers: Infinity War, we also get a look at Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, who may have inadvertently revealed a major change to Iron Man.
Check out the photo below – as well as this more detailed photo of the new arc reactor, which was posted on Page Six.
Infinity Trinity #infinitywar pic.twitter.com/UgacQzUlKp
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) August 23, 2017
Now let’s talk about what’s so (possibly) significant about this photo…
Iron Heart
Downey’s Iron Man famously shared the original comic book origin: having shrapnel from an explosive lodged in his chest, pushing closer to his heart. His invention of the original arc reactor was done out of sheer necessity. By lodging the arc reactor module in his chest, Tony was able to hold the bits of shrapnel in place, saving his own life.
After Tony’s identity problems in Iron Man 3, he decided to stop letting his tech literally rule his life, and he had the shrapnel surgically removed from his chest, eliminating the need for his arc reactor chest module. In Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War, Tony went into battle without his chest module, so the big question is why is he seemingly wearing it again in Avengers: Infinity War?
Could it be the latest cutting-edge armor that Stark has developed?
The Model-Prime Armor
The Model-Prime armor uses advanced nanotech to reconfigure into whatever Iron Man may need, like different armors or a variety of tools or weapons. It has enhanced flight capability, a cerebral interface, and is contained in a metallic bracelet that Tony wears.
The Model-Prime armor would be great for the coming Infinity War; with The Infinity Gauntlet allowing a user to control godlike power with mere thought, Iron Man will need an armor that works just as fast. The MCU Model-Prime armor could very well be stored in the new expanded chest module that Tony is wearing in these Avengers: Infinity War set pics.
The Bleeding Edge Armor
The Bleeding Edge armor is an earlier version of the Model-Prime concept, but its name rings out louder for Iron Man fans.
The armor uses nanotech to break down into Tony’s bone marrow. It responds mentally, forming all sorts of weapons and devices, with an energy source that’s basically an artificial star. The Bleeding Edge armor was one of Tony’s most powerful designs, allowing him to match up against the most powerful opponents.
With the name recognition, and significant power levels, the Bleeding Edge suit is a design and brand name that could do very well in the setting of Infinity War.
