Marvel Studios is currently on a roll with its fifth release of the year in What If…? on Disney+; the team is also prepping for the anticipated release of Eternals in November. While new entries obviously help push the franchise forward, there’s always time to look back at the movies that helped build the MCU to its current industry-leading status.
One of the highlights in this bunch is 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, which helped Marvel take its biggest risks to date by including nearly every major character from 18 previous movies in one blockbuster effort. Featuring MCU regulars like Iron Man and Thor alongside newcomers such as Doctor Strange and Spider-Man, it came in as an overwhelming success both critically and financially.
Particularly with stars like Robert Downey, Jr. and Chris Evans closing out their runs as MCU heroes, Infinity War is one of the more nostalgic films for MCU fans to look back on and remember.
This continues with new looks at two of the movie's most prominent actors, who put in a hefty amount of physical work to make their roles so memorable.
Behind the Scenes With Iron Man & Doctor Strange
Instagram user @onset.unseen shared three behind-the-scenes images showing black and white looks at Robert Downey, Jr.'s Iron Man and Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange from the set of Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War.
One image shows Downey in his Iron Man nano-tech sweatsuit from his first couple of scenes in the movie as he fights the Cull Obsidian, played by Terry Notary, in the streets of New York City. This is likely footage that never made it to the big screen, as Tony Stark was mostly running around and helping to keep civilians safe before his epic Mark L suit-up scene.
Downey is also seen in his own CGI pajamas with the Iron Man helmet and the upper part of his costume over his shoulders, chest, and arms. This costume helps give a sense of just how much work the team behind Infinity War did, combining real-life costuming with digital work in the editing room to bring suits like this to life.
The final image shows Benedict Cumberbatch suited up as Doctor Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme fights Tom Vaughan-Lawlor's Ebony Maw for possession of the Time Stone. Vaughan-Lawlor is expressing Maw's pain as the villain reaches for the Eye of Agamotto, only to have his hand seared due to Strange's protective spell over the artifact.
Stark and Strange Protect New York City
Tony Stark and Stephen Strange quickly built a working relationship with one another through Avengers: Infinity War as the two fought the Mad Titan Thanos and his armies on Earth and in space. This was one of the most prominent team-ups in the movie, and these images show how hard Marvel worked to perfect their look on-screen.
Robert Downey Jr.'s looks on-set got more and more advanced over his years playing Iron Man, with some combination of a real suit and CGI magic coming into play. Infinity War utilized both methods to perfection as the MCU's leading man showed off his most advanced suit to date, fighting off aliens and supervillains at every turn.
Additionally, Stephen Strange played a key role in this team-up effort as he made only his third MCU appearance after Doctor Strange and Thor: Ragnarok. While Ebony Maw certainly got the better of him and the team by forcing them all into space in pursuit of the Time Stone, Strange showed just a glimpse of his true powers after embracing the Mystic Arts.
While this movie came out over three years ago, it still holds a place as one of the most impactful superhero movies in history.
Avengers: Infinity War is available to stream on Disney+.
