First Ever MCU Villain Sparks Hopes of Return, Can We Expect To See Obadiah Stane in ‘Armor Wars’?

‘Iron Man’ released in 2008, marked the beginning of the MCU. It introduced the first superhero in the cinematic universe, but also the very first villain – Obadiah Stane.

Obadiah Stane is introduced as the business partner of Howard Stark and the mentor to Tony Stark (Iron Man). He is the CEO of Stark Industries and has a significant influence over the company.

Iron Man and Stane are eventually forced to take up arms against each other. In the final battle known as the “Duel of Los Angeles,” Stane is seemingly fatally electrocuted by his prototype arc reactor when it explodes beneath him, causing him to fall into it before it detonates.

Or is it really the end? During his appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actor behind Stane, Jeff Bridges, claims that there is yet an opportunity for Stane to return in a true comic book fashion. According to Bridges, the first version of the script revealed at the end that he did not die in the fatal crash, which opened up plenty of opportunities for the villain to return:

Well when I read the script, Obadiah Stane falls into that vat at the end. In the script that I read and agreed to do, they pulled it [the armor] out and they opened it and I’m not there.

Even though Stane can always return as a variant considering we’re currently in the multiverse saga, this plot twist makes for a much better story overall.

As far as his potential appearances go, there are two likely candidates for Stane’s potential return. The upcoming ‘Ironheart’ show, will, according to some rumors, include Obadiah Stane’s son and a “17-year-old vendetta coming to light.”

‘Armor Wars’ seems like a better fit however for his return, but the planned movie is according to recent reports facing some troubles, with the studio yet to decide whether it will be scrapped or enter production.

Would you like to see Obadiah Stane return to the MCU? Let us know in the comments below!

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