Stories from the set

Don Cheadle replaced Terrence Howard in the role of Rhodey after relations between Terrence and Marvel Studios deteriorated.

Robert Downey Jr. recommended Justin Theroux to Jon Favreau as the film's screenwriter.

The first sequel produced by Marvel Studios.

The first sequel for Jon Favreau as both director and actor.

Tony uses the phrase "ionized plasma," which sounds roughly like "wet water," since plasma is itself a fully ionized substance (most often a gas).

The lithium dioxide mentioned in the film does not exist in nature.

At the beginning of the film, several shots of a Moscow courtyard are shown, and next to it, along the road, a car is parked with Russian license plates that contain the English letters "w" and "s".

At the end of the film, when the senator stands between Tony and Rhodey for a photo, Tony puts his hand on his back. In the next shot, Tony's hand is gone, and then it appears again.

Al Pacino was considered for the role of Justin Hammer.

Emily Blunt was supposed to play Black Widow, but she had to turn down the role due to her commitment to Gulliver's Travels (2010).