Eleven years after the release of Iron Man 3, Guy Pearce, who portrayed arch-villain Aldrich Killian, has shared his thoughts on whether the film can be considered a Christmas movie. Although the film hit theaters in April, much of its plot unfolds during the holiday season.
In a recent interview to promote his new film The Brutalist, Pearce was asked if Iron Man 3 qualifies as a Christmas movie. With a laugh, the actor agreed, adding that any movie featuring him, in fact, could be dubbed a Christmas film. Pearce also pointed to L.A. Confidential, another of his films, which is set during Christmas, and reminisced about playing Ebenezer Scrooge in a 2019 TV adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Pearce’s comments highlight that Iron Man 3 contains several characteristics typically associated with Christmas movies. Key scenes, such as Killian’s encounter with Tony Stark at a 1999 New Year’s Eve party, set the stage for his villainous arc. The final battle, which takes place around Christmas Day, along with the abundance of holiday decorations, further supports the Christmas movie claim.
Similar to the debate surrounding Die Hard, which is often considered a Christmas movie despite its action-heavy plot, Iron Man 3 captures the spirit of the season. The film concludes with Stark making a personal sacrifice, deciding to leave behind his suits of armor to focus on his loved ones—an act in line with the holiday’s message of family and giving.
Given the holiday imagery and themes, as well as the precedent set by other MCU titles like The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Hawkeye, it’s clear that Iron Man 3 has earned its place in the Christmas movie conversation. We’re inclined to agree with Pearce on this one.
Related content: