Highlights
- EA Motive is developing a highly anticipated solo Iron Man game, hopefully bringing the high-flying superhero the game he deserves.
- However, the game may diverge from the MCU by exploring comic book dynamics instead of lining up closely with the films, meaning Pepper Potts' relationship with Tony Stark may not be romantic.
- While MCU fans are used to Tony and Pepper's romance, the game may introduce a different take on their relationship, where it is largely platonic with occasional flirting. Additionally, Pepper could end up with Happy Hogan like in the comics.
Marvel fans have never really gotten a truly great Iron Man game. While Iron Man has appeared in plenty of excellent games like Marvel's Midnight Suns, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and the LEGO Marvel games, he's never had much luck when it comes to solo ventures, with SEGA's Iron Man games being severe disappointments, and the Iron Man VR game being solid, but not without its fair share of issues. However, that could all be about to change.
Announced back in September 2022, EA Motive is currently working on a AAA single-player Iron Man game, and the excitement is real. Having proved itself in spades with last year's Dead Space Remake, EA Motive seems like the right studio for the job, and with decades of source material ready and waiting, it should have no shortage of ideas when it comes to settings, narrative, and characters. But there's one classic Iron Man character that might look a little different to how some modern-day Marvel fans are used to seeing them: Pepper Potts.
EA's Iron Man Game Should Follow The 'Superior' Storyline's Lead in One Area
Though the Superior Iron Man run proved to be one of Marvel's more controversial recent runs, it should influence one part of EA's Iron Man game.
EA Motive's Version of Pepper Potts Could Be Completely Different to The MCU's
Pepper Potts Is Tony's Sole Love Interest in The MCU
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are now used to seeing Pepper Potts and Tony Stark romantically involved with one another. Though the two didn't officially get together in 2008's Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts shared a lot of intimate on-screen moments, and it was clear that a romance was budding between the two pretty much from the get-go. Iron Man 2 quickly sealed the deal, and one of The Avengers' opening scenes show the couple enjoying a date in Stark Tower.
While the relationship between Pepper and Tony continues in the background for the first few MCU phases, it comes to an abrupt end in Captain America: Civil War, where Tony briefly mentions that he and Pepper are taking a bit of a break. But all is well by the time of Spider-Man: Homecoming, where Tony ends up proposing to Pepper in front of the press in lieu of Peter Parker accepting his place in the Avengers. Of course, Tony and Pepper's relationship comes to a tragic end in Avengers: Endgame, when Tony sacrifices himself to stop Thanos and bring back half of the universe, leaving Pepper and their child Morgan behind.
Pepper Potts and Tony Stark Were Never Properly Together In The Comics
But Pepper Potts and Tony Stark's relationship in the comics is very different from the one portrayed in the MCU. Debuting in 1963's Tales of Suspense #45, Pepper Potts is first introduced alongside Happy Hogan, and in those original runs, a sort of light love triangle forms around the three, with Happy Hogan falling madly in love with Pepper, Pepper falling madly in love with Tony, and Tony being flirtatious with Pepper but not wanting to commit to a full relationship. Eventually, Pepper Potts ends up getting together with Happy Hogan, and the two end up marrying and adopting a few kids.
But it isn't all sunshine and rainbows for Happy and Pepper. Constantly in the firing line due to Tony's superhero career, Pepper and Happy end up getting a divorce due to the stress of it all straining their relationship. Eventually the two wind up back together, but during the Civil War arc, Happy is attacked by Spymaster and put into a coma. Their relationship comes to a tragic end when Pepper begs Tony to cut Happy's life support. After decades of being little else but a love interest, Pepper Potts finally got her own time to shine after Civil War, becoming the hero Hera, and then later on Rescue.
Though it's currently unclear if Pepper Potts will even be in EA Motive's Iron Man, it seems likely that she'll be included in the game, and if EA Motive ends up taking inspiration mostly from the comics, then many newer Marvel fans might be a little confused by Tony and Pepper's lack of romantic relationship. Further, Pepper falling in love with happy could be an equally surprising change to those only familiar with the MCU.
Marvel
Marvel is a brand associated with a wide array of popular superhero comics, movies, television shows, and merchandise. The company owns the rights to popular characters like The Avengers, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Deadpool, and many more.
