Marvel Studios officially announces the development of Iron Man 3, the sequel to Iron Man and Iron Man 2.
Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to reprise his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man in Iron Man 3.
Iron Man 3 enters post-production, focusing on editing, visual effects, and scoring the film's soundtrack.
Iron Man 3 has its world premiere, debuting the highly anticipated Marvel film to the public.
Iron Man 3 breaks multiple box office records, earning over $1 billion worldwide.
Tony Stark's home is attacked by the Mandarin's forces, leading to the destruction of his mansion and Stark nearly dying in the ensuing explosion.
Tony investigates the Extremis virus outbreaks linked to the Mandarin, aiming to stop the enhanced soldiers from killing innocent people.
After pursuing a terrorist from the Mandarin's army, Tony's Iron Man suit is destroyed and he crash-lands in Rose Hill, Tennessee, where he starts rebuilding his suits and plans.
Tony discovers that Aldrich Killian, previously thought dead, has been manipulating events and is the true mastermind behind the Mandarin persona and Extremis production.
The Mandarin kidnaps Pepper and injects her with Extremis, using her as leverage against Tony Stark.
Tony leads an assault on Killian's facility, revealing the Mandarin as a staged persona. Tony rescues Pepper and confronts Killian in the climax.
In the final battle, Tony defeats Killian and the Extremis-enhanced soldiers, putting an end to the terrorist threat.
Following the events, Tony chooses to have surgery to remove the shrapnel near his heart and destroys many of his Iron Man suits, signaling a change in his approach to being a hero.