Tony Stark proves to be a rookie laundryman for his captors in a deleted scene from Iron Man.

The first Iron Man film led by Robert Downey Jr. was the lynchpin that kicked off the MCU more than a decade ago. The flamboyant billionaire who went on to build a suit of armor from metal scraps in a cave became a household name when it was released in 2008. Downey Jr. would become a big movie star and the character would become synonymous with him.

Tony Stark builds his prototype armor in Iron Man

The film had many memorable moments including Tony Stark’s time with Yinsen as they are kept captive by the members of the Ten Rings. As Stark is tasked with building a Jericho missile, He and Yinsen develop a great friendship through their conversation. However, a deleted scene from the film shows Tony doing some laundry for his captors. While fun, it is understandable why it was removed.

Tony Stark Fails At Laundry In A Deleted Scene from Iron Man

Yinsen helped Tony Stark build his prototype suit in Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark/Iron Man managed to dazzle fans with his sarcastic wit and charm in the first Iron Man film. Before building his iconic red suit, the flamboyant billionaire was captured by the Ten Rings organization to help them build a Jericho missile. During this time, he becomes close with his new friend Yinsen, a doctor, who helps him build the missile.

The two manage to secretly collect scraps of metal build a prototype armor and use it to escape from the cave. The film shows the two building the armor while acting like they are building the group’s missiles. One deleted scene showing their efforts while also showing Stark being a laundry man for his captors is an interesting one (via YouTube).

The scene is quite funny with Abu, one of the captors asking whether the job is done. Stark points to the washing machine and a pile of clothes that are neatly folded. Abu is frustrated that the white clothes are mixed with others. Stark hilariously comments that he separated them while washing and it is his first time washing clothes (and he did a fine job at that).

The scene is decent and funny, showing the camaraderie between Stark and his captors. However, it is more of a mundane scene rather than one that contributes to moving the plot forward as one fan @WhatTheActualMark points out, “I can see why they cut this scene out. The theatrical version shows threat and seriousness. Marvel/Paramount did a great job with that decision.”

Thus, it is logical that Jon Favreau left it on the cutting floor and did not include it in the film. Including the scene might have dragged down the pace of the film. The theatrical version is perfect as it is.

Robert Downey Jr. Feels He Did Some of His Best Acting While Playing Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr. feels Tony Stark (from Avengers: Endgame) was a great character to play

Robert Downey Jr. has played Iron Man for over a decade from 2008 to 2019. He played multiple appearances in the franchise as the character and audiences have loved the character’s arc throughout the movies. Downey Jr. also loved his time as Iron Man and also felt that he did some of his best acting work as Tony Stark.

In an appearance on the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast, Downey Jr. stated that the undistinguished reputation of the superhero genre led people not to recognize the brilliant touches as an actor he was putting into the character. He said, “I felt so exposed after being in the cocoon of Marvel where I think I did some of the best work I will ever do, but it went a little bit unnoticed because of the genre”

Downey Jr. is doing quite well after his Marvel exit as he recently won an Oscar for Oppenheimer. The actor is currently starring in the historical black comedy series The Sympathizer. The series has received great reviews and its episodes are dropping weekly till May 26, 2024, on Max.

Fans can watch Downey Jr. in Iron Man on Disney+.