Every Character Who Wore an Iron Man Suit in the MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe kicked off with Tony Stark building his first suit in a cave, a moment that defined superhero cinema. Over the years, the sleek red and gold armor became a symbol of heroism, but Tony wasn’t the only one to wear it or its variants.
From allies to enemies, several characters slipped into Stark’s iconic tech, each for unique reasons. Whether in battle or for protection, these moments shaped the MCU’s narrative. Below, I break down every character who wore an Iron Man suit or its variants across the MCU’s movies and shows, with key details about their roles and the context of their armor use.
Tony Stark
Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., is the heart of the Iron Man legacy, first suiting up in ‘Iron Man’ (2008). As a billionaire genius, he crafted the armor to escape captivity and later refined it to fight threats like Thanos. His suits evolved from the clunky Mark I to the nanotech-powered Mark LXXXV in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019), showcasing his relentless innovation.
Each suit reflected Tony’s growth, from a reckless playboy to a selfless hero who sacrificed himself to save the universe. His armor wasn’t just tech—it was his identity, blending brains, courage, and heart. Across nine films, including his solo trilogy and Avengers team-ups, Tony’s suits set the standard for everyone else.
James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes / War Machine
James Rhodes, portrayed by Don Cheadle, became War Machine in ‘Iron Man 2’ (2010), wearing a modified version of Tony’s Mark II suit. As Tony’s loyal friend, Rhodey used the armor to battle Ivan Vanko and later joined the Avengers, sporting upgraded War Machine suits in films like ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015).
The War Machine armor, bulkier and weapon-heavy, was tailored for Rhodey’s military background. His role grew in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016), despite a near-fatal crash, and he continued fighting in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019). Rhodey’s suits, built by Tony, cemented his place as a trusted ally.
Pepper Potts
Pepper Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, donned the Rescue armor, Mark XLIX, in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019). As Tony’s partner and CEO of Stark Industries, she used the purple-hued suit, equipped with drones and repulsors, to fight in the climactic battle against Thanos.
Pepper’s brief but impactful suit-up showed her strength beyond her usual role, standing alongside Tony as a hero. Her armor, a gift from Tony, highlighted their bond and her courage, making her a standout in the MCU’s final Infinity Saga showdown.
Peter Parker / Spider-Man
Peter Parker, portrayed by Tom Holland, wore the Iron Spider suit in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019). Tony gifted him this Stark-tech armor, featuring mechanical spider legs and nanotech, to enhance his Spider-Man abilities during battles on Titan and Earth.
The Iron Spider suit blended Peter’s agility with Tony’s tech, like advanced AI and armor plating. It symbolized their mentor-mentee bond, though Peter later returned to a classic suit in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021), reflecting his growth toward independence.
Bruce Banner / The Hulk
Bruce Banner, played by Mark Ruffalo, used the Hulkbuster armor in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018). When his Hulk persona refused to emerge after a beating from Thanos, Bruce piloted the massive suit, designed by Tony to counter Hulk-level threats, to fight in Wakanda.
The Hulkbuster, also seen in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015), gave Bruce raw power with features like a jackhammer fist. His use of the suit showed his determination to contribute to the Avengers, even without transforming into the Hulk.
Aldrich Killian
Aldrich Killian, portrayed by Guy Pearce, briefly wore the Mark XLII suit in ‘Iron Man 3’ (2013). As the villain behind the Extremis plot, he forced Tony out of the armor during their final battle and used it to fight him, only for Tony to trigger its self-destruct mode.
Killian’s short stint in the suit was driven by his vendetta against Tony. His misuse of the armor, combined with his Extremis powers, made him a formidable but doomed foe, as Tony’s ingenuity outsmarted him.
President Matthew Ellis
President Matthew Ellis, played by William Sadler, was forced into the Iron Patriot armor in ‘Iron Man 3’ (2013). Kidnapped by Aldrich Killian, he was placed in the suit—originally Rhodey’s—for a staged execution by the fake Mandarin, but Tony and Rhodey rescued him.
Ellis’ brief time in the armor was more about vulnerability than heroism. The suit, meant to symbolize protection, was used to trap him, highlighting the dangers of Stark’s tech falling into the wrong hands.
Obadiah Stane
Obadiah Stane, played by Jeff Bridges, wore the Iron Monger suit in ‘Iron Man’ (2008). Tony’s mentor-turned-enemy stole his tech to build a bulkier, weaponized version of the Mark I, aiming to seize control of Stark Industries and eliminate Tony.
Stane’s suit, though powerful, lacked Tony’s finesse, leading to his defeat in their climactic battle. His betrayal and misuse of the armor set the stage for Tony’s evolution as a hero, making Stane a pivotal early villain.
Riri Williams / Ironheart
Riri Williams, portrayed by Dominique Thorne, debuted as Ironheart in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022) and stars in ‘Ironheart’ (2025). A young MIT prodigy, she built her own armor inspired by Tony’s designs, using it to protect Wakanda and later forge her own path.
Riri’s suit, blending Stark’s tech influence with her unique engineering, marks her as a successor to Iron Man. Her story in ‘Ironheart’ explores her growth as a hero, carrying forward Tony’s legacy with her own flair.
Eric Savin / Coldblood
In Iron Man 3, Eric Savin, an Extremis soldier, uses the Iron Patriot armor to infiltrate Air Force One and kidnap President Ellis. Savin, impersonating James Rhodes (who was thought to be in the armor), gains access and then traps the President’s guards, taking Ellis to Aldrich Killian.
Which character’s Iron Man suit moment stood out to you, or did I miss a key armor wearer? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
