It's amazing to look back a see how the massive and impactful MCU franchise began with one movie. Iron Man defied many expectations to become a huge hit and the character played by Robert Downey Jr. quickly became the face of the MCU.
Though Tony Stark and Iron Man made many appearances outside of the Iron Man solo movies, the trilogy really helped to define the character and his journey. Looking back on these three movies, it's interesting to see how the characters began and where they ended up in the end all based on their first and last lines.
Obadiah Stane
"Thank you, Colonel." - "Hold still you little prick."
Obadiah Stane is introduced during an award ceremony for Tony who falls to show up, leaving Stane to accept the award on his behalf. After being revealed to be a villain, he takes his own armor suit and takes aim at Tony before being killed.
Obadiah's relationship with Tony is summed up well in his first scene as he is both angry at Tony's selfish behavior and jealous of his success. Seeing him try to kill Tony at the end shows how much those feelings boiled over.
Justin Hammer
"Absolutely, I'm no expert." - "I'm going to be seeing you again real soon."
During Tony's senate hearing in Iron Man 2, Justin Hammer is brought in as an expert witness only for Tony to question how much of an expert he is. Once his plot with Ivan Vanko is revealed, Hammer is arrested while continuing to threaten Pepper Potts with revenge.
Immediately, Hammer is established as someone who desperately wants to be Tony Stark but falls short. Funny enough, despite the promise he makes with his final line, this is the last time Hammer was seen in the MCU.
Aldrich Killian
"Oh wow, hey Tony!" - "I am the Mandarin!"
Aldrich Killian is introduced in the flashback at the beginning of Iron Man 3 as a nerdy and excitable fan of Tony Stark who wants to get him involved with his business. In the end, Killian reveals himself as the true villain behind all the smoke-and-mirrors, even declaring himself the true Mandarin.
His opening line only cements him as this over-the-top Hollywood version of a geek only to be later transformed into a suave and confident man. His final line just adds to the confusion about The Mandarin which will be made even more confusing with Shang-Chi.
Agent Coulson
"Miss Potts." - "Sir, we found it."
Agent Coulson is really not given enough credit as the character who first hinted at a larger world of the MCU. When Tony returns from captivity, Coulson approaches Pepper about scheduling a debrief with Tony. He is last seen at the end of Iron Man 2 as he locates Thor's hammer.
Though his first appearance might not have meant much to casual fans, comic books fans were thrilled by the introduction of S.H.I.E.L.D. His last appearance in the trilogy just continued his job of expanding the universe.
Nick Fury
"I am Iron Man." - "I'll see what I can do."
The first post-credit scene in the MCU introduced Nick Fury as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D, coming to lecture Tony about revealing his identity to the world. At the end of Iron Man 2, Fury hires Tony as an Avengers consultant in exchange for Fury arranging a medal ceremony for Tony.
The first line blew the MCU wide open and established a much larger story. His last line in the trilogy was just further groundwork leading towards the promise of an Avengers movie.
JARVIS
"You are not authorized to access this area." - "The clean slate protocol, sir?"
JARVIS is introduced as the omnipresent A.I. system in Tony's house that restricts Christin Everhart from sneaking around the place. In Iron Man 3, JARVIS initiates the "clean slate protocol" for Tony, which destroys all of his suits.
It's interesting to look back at how JARVIS was introduced as this disembodied voice and the character then grew into becoming Vision, one of the most complex characters in the MCU.
Happy Hogan
"She's all right? - "Here's the ticket."
Tony's bodyguard, Happy Hogan, is introduced as Christine Everhart seeks an interview and Happy confirms to Tony that she's attractive enough to take the time. In Iron Man 3, he tries to play the hero himself, confronting the villainous Savin before getting severely injured.
The first line shows that Happy is not only a bodyguard to Tony but a good buddy. It also reminds us that Tony was once a shallow womanizing jerk. Having Happy injured at the beginning of Iron Man 3 was also enough emotional motivation for Tony.
James 'Rhodey' Rhodes
"As liaison to Stark Industries, I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot." - "Ready, sir?"
Rhodey is introduced in the first Iron Man presenting an award to Tony despite him not bothering to show up. His final line in the trilogy comes in Iron Man 3 as he gets back his Iron Patriot armor and saves the President.
Of course, the biggest thing one notices with the first and last lines is that Rhodey is played by two different actors. Aside from that, it establishes him as a great friend to Tony and a hero in his own right.
Pepper Potts
"That's JARVIS, he runs the house." - "And all your distractions?"
When Christine Everhart is snooping around the house after her night with Tony, Pepper steps in to send her on her way. After becoming a romantic couple, Pepper asks Tony what will become of his obsession with building new suits, leading Tony to destroy them all for her.
It's strange seeing Pepper beginning as an assistant to Tony considering how important she becomes later on. Her final line comments on the ongoing battle between them as Pepper wonders how much being Iron Man is controlling Tony's life.
Tony Stark / Iron Man
"I feel like you're driving me to a court-martial." - "I am Iron Man."
The first scene in Iron Man shows Tony joking around with a group of soldiers escorting him through the dangerous Middle Eastern area. In his final narration in Iron Man 3, Tony reiterates that beneath the armor and gadgets, he is still the same hero.
The first line makes it clear that Downey Jr. is going to bring a lot of wit and charm to this role which helped make it so iconic. His final line is the perfect ending to the trilogy as it shows how far Tony has come and the hero he created. It is also fitting that this is also his final line in the entire MCU.