With the Writers Guild going on strike as of Tuesday and one of their complaints being about the use of artificial intelligence, we decided to put the ChatGPT AI to the test and come up with ideas and write Iron Man 4.
Could ChatGPT AI come up with some decent ideas for the plot? Could the AI actually write dialogue for an Iron Man 4 movie?
One of the worries the Writers Guild has is that artificial intelligence will be used to come up with original ideas and then writers will be used to basically edit those ideas and not get any credit and it will be done on the cheap (even cheaper than now, another complaint). The Writers Guild in part argues AI doesn’t come up with original material but is fed information from already existing sources, and that essentially, “plagiarism is a feature of the AI process.”
Iron Man 4: Tony Stark returns with Doctor Doom as the villain
From my limited experience with artificial intelligence, it is true, the better the info fed or given, the better the output. Users do this through the use of a prompt command, so the more specific the prompt, the better the response from the ChatGPT AI or any AI (ditto for creating images: check out Marvel and DC characters mashing with The Mandalorian).
As you can see below, we initially just asked a general request about coming up with an idea for Iron Man 4, but once we started to fine-tune things, ChatGPT came up with a better response.
Worth a mention is that all the art below also has been created through the use of the Midjourney AI bot on Discord. What’s interesting when using the prompt “Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in Iron Man 4,” it gave Tony added tech on his right eye in nearly all the images, so we can guess the bot obviously knows Tony’s tech background.
For the Iron Man designs, we inputted “Iron Man futuristic armor” and for Doctor Doom, we inputted “futuristic Doctor Doom Marvel Comics,” both of which came out really cool. We also inputted “futuristic Iron Man vs futuristic Doctor Doom from Marvel comics in battle,” but as you can see at the bottom, it didn’t turn out nearly as good, which may actually require better descriptions and info in the prompts.
Per above, we also asked for an “Iron Man 4 movie logo” and also asked for a text logo, but the above image is what we got. I don’t think Midjourney is quite there yet with reading and producing text, but those four images above do look pretty darn cool.
Follow along below!
Iron Man 4 synopsis
Our first prompt: “Come up with a synopsis for Iron Man 4.”
ChatGPT’s response:
In Iron Man 4, Tony Stark could face a new threat that puts his genius and his Iron Man suit to the test. Perhaps a group of villains led by a former Stark Industries employee who has developed his own advanced technology, or a foreign government seeking to obtain Stark’s suit technology for their own purposes.
At the same time, Tony could also be dealing with personal challenges, such as his relationship with Pepper Potts or his ongoing struggle with alcoholism. As he battles the new threat, he must also confront his inner demons and find a way to balance his responsibilities as a hero and as a human being.
With action-packed sequences, witty dialogue, and high-stakes drama, Iron Man 4 would continue the legacy of the beloved Marvel superhero while also exploring new dimensions of his character.
How to bring back Tony Stark?
We then mentioned in a prompt: “Tony Stark died in Avengers: Endgame, so Iron Man 4 would need to bring him back. How could it be done?”
ChatGPT’s response:
You are correct that Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., sacrificed himself to defeat Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, which would make his return to the Iron Man franchise challenging. However, there are a few possibilities that could be explored.
One option could be to introduce a new character who takes up the mantle of Iron Man. This character could be someone who was inspired by Tony’s legacy, such as his daughter Morgan or another young, talented inventor. They could struggle to fill Tony’s shoes but ultimately rise to the occasion, bringing their own unique skills and perspective to the role.
Alternatively, Iron Man 4 could explore the multiverse concept, which has been introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Perhaps there is a version of Tony Stark from another dimension who is still alive and well, and who could cross over into the main MCU timeline. This could allow Robert Downey Jr. to reprise his role as Tony Stark without compromising the continuity of the existing films.
It’s worth noting that there have been no official announcements regarding the development of Iron Man 4 or any plans to bring Tony Stark back to the franchise. As such, any speculation about how this could be done is purely hypothetical.
How about bringing back the real Tony Stark?
We then asked: “How about bringing the real Tony Stark back from the dead? Any ideas?”
ChatGPT’s response:
Bringing a character back from the dead is a common trope in comic books, but it can be challenging to do so in a way that feels satisfying and makes sense within the established storylines. That being said, here are a few potential ideas for how Tony Stark could be brought back from the dead in Iron Man 4:
- Time Travel: The MCU has already explored time travel in Avengers: Endgame, so it’s not impossible that Iron Man 4 could use this as a plot device to bring Tony Stark back from the dead. Perhaps the Avengers discover a way to go back in time to prevent Tony’s death from happening in the first place.
- Artificial Intelligence: Tony Stark was a genius inventor who created many groundbreaking technologies, including advanced artificial intelligence. It’s possible that he could have created an AI version of himself before he died, which could be used to bring him back in some form.
- Resurrection: The MCU has introduced magic and other supernatural elements, so it’s not out of the question that Iron Man 4 could explore the possibility of resurrecting Tony Stark through some kind of magical or mystical means.
However, it’s worth noting that bringing a character back from the dead can be controversial among fans, and it can also undermine the emotional impact of the character’s death in previous films. Additionally, there have been no official announcements regarding the development of Iron Man 4 or any plans to bring Tony Stark back to the franchise, so any speculation about how this could be done is purely hypothetical.
Who would be the villain of Iron Man 4?
We then questioned: “Who would be a good villain from the Marvel comics in Iron Man 4?”
This is what ChatGPT came up with:
There are many compelling villains in the Marvel Comics who could make for an excellent antagonist in Iron Man 4. Here are a few possibilities:
- The Mandarin: The Mandarin is one of Iron Man’s most iconic foes, and he was teased as a potential villain in Iron Man 3 but ultimately turned out to be a fake persona. The real Mandarin is a powerful sorcerer and criminal mastermind who could make for a formidable opponent for Tony Stark.
- Justin Hammer: Justin Hammer is a rival industrialist who has a history of trying to outdo Stark Industries and sabotage Tony Stark’s business interests. He could make for a more grounded villain than some of Iron Man’s more fantastical foes, but still pose a significant threat to Tony’s legacy and reputation.
- Ezekiel Stane: Ezekiel Stane is the son of Obadiah Stane, the villain from the first Iron Man film, and he seeks revenge on Tony Stark for his father’s death. He is a brilliant inventor in his own right and has created a suit of armor that is specifically designed to defeat Iron Man.
- Fin Fang Foom: Fin Fang Foom is a giant dragon-like creature who has occasionally faced off against Iron Man in the comics. While he may seem like a silly choice for a live-action film, his inclusion could allow for some fantastical action sequences and provide a unique challenge for Tony to overcome.
Of course, there are many other villains from the Marvel Comics who could work well in Iron Man 4, depending on the tone and direction of the film. Ultimately, the choice of villain will depend on the filmmakers’ creative vision and the story they want to tell.
How about Doctor Doom as the Iron Man 4 villain?
Since those villains have already been used (ChatGPT is unaware of any events after 2021, so ChatGPT is unaware of Shang-Chi), we then recommended Doctor Doom as the villain.
Our prompt? “Need a different villain how about Doctor Doom as the villain of Iron Man 4?”
ChatGPT’s response:
Doctor Doom is a fascinating and iconic Marvel Comics villain who could certainly make for a compelling antagonist in Iron Man 4. Here are a few reasons why he could be a good fit:
- Similarities with Tony Stark: Like Tony Stark, Doctor Doom is a brilliant inventor and industrialist who has a strong sense of pride and ego. This could lead to interesting clashes between the two characters as they try to outdo each other.
- High stakes: Doctor Doom is not just a traditional supervillain – he is also the monarch of the fictional country of Latveria, which gives him a great deal of political power and influence. This means that defeating him would not just be a matter of stopping his evil plans, but also potentially preventing him from taking over other countries or causing global unrest.
- History with the Fantastic Four: Doctor Doom has a long history as a villain for the Fantastic Four in the comics, but he has also clashed with other Marvel heroes, including Iron Man. Including him in Iron Man 4 could help to expand the interconnected nature of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Complex motivations: While Doctor Doom is certainly a villain, his motivations and worldview are often more complex than those of other comic book bad guys. He believes that he is the only person capable of leading humanity to a better future, which could lead to interesting ethical debates and philosophical discussions between him and Tony Stark.
Overall, Doctor Doom could be a strong choice for the villain of Iron Man 4, depending on the direction and tone of the film. As always, the success of the story will depend on the skill of the filmmakers and their ability to bring these characters to life on the big screen.
Iron Man 4 synopsis with real Tony Stark and Doctor Doom as villain
So we have Tony Stark coming back to life and Doctor Doom as the villain. For our next prompt, we requested the AI to “write a synopsis for Iron Man 4 with Tony Stark returning from the dead and Doctor Doom as the villain.”
Here is what ChatGPT came up with:
Iron Man 4 begins with Tony Stark, having sacrificed himself to defeat Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, suddenly and inexplicably returning to life. As he tries to adjust to this strange new reality, he discovers that his old enemy Doctor Doom has emerged as a threat to the world once again.
Doctor Doom, the ruthless ruler of the fictional country of Latveria, has developed a powerful weapon that he claims will revolutionize the world – but Tony knows that it’s only a matter of time before Doom uses it to try to take over the world. Along with his friend and ally, Rhodey, Tony sets out to stop Doom before it’s too late.
As Tony and Rhodey investigate Doom’s plans, they discover that he has a personal vendetta against Tony. Doom blames Tony for the death of his mother, and he has been plotting his revenge for years. The two men engage in a tense battle of wits and wills, each determined to emerge victorious.
Meanwhile, Tony also has to grapple with the fact that he has returned from the dead. He struggles to reconcile the person he was before with the person he has become, and he questions whether he even wants to continue being Iron Man. Rhodey tries to support his friend and encourage him to keep fighting, but Tony is torn between his duty as a hero and his desire for a normal life.
In the end, Tony realizes that he can’t just walk away from being Iron Man – it’s a part of who he is. With renewed determination, he faces off against Doctor Doom in a final battle that could determine the fate of the world. In a thrilling showdown, Tony and Doom each use their incredible intellect and technology to try to outdo each other, but ultimately it’s Tony who emerges victorious.
Iron Man 4 ends with Tony back in the suit, ready to face whatever challenges come his way. He’s come to terms with his return from the dead and his role as a hero, and he’s ready to continue making a difference in the world – no matter what obstacles he may face.
Iron Man 4 dialogue between Tony Stark and Doctor Doom
How about actually writing some dialogue? We asked the bot to “write a few lines of dialogue between Tony Stark and Doctor Doom.”
ChatGPT came up with five lines of dialogue:
Here are a few lines of dialogue that could take place between Tony Stark and Doctor Doom in Iron Man 4:
Tony Stark: “You know, Doom, I never thought I’d see the day when you’d be the one threatening the world. Aren’t you supposed to be busy ruling your own country?”
Doctor Doom: “Latveria is secure, Stark. And now, thanks to my latest invention, I have the power to reshape the entire world in my image.”
Tony Stark: “I don’t care about your power, Doom. I care about the innocent people who will suffer if you get your way. That’s why I’m going to stop you.”
Doctor Doom: “You’ve always been so naive, Stark. You think you can save everyone, but in the end, you’re just a man in a suit. You can’t possibly comprehend the scope of my plans.”
Tony Stark: “Maybe not. But I do know one thing – I’m not afraid to do whatever it takes to protect the world. Even if it means taking you down.”
We thanked ChatGPT
We then closed with: “Cool ideas. Thank you!“
Chat GPT responded: You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help. If you have any other questions or ideas, feel free to ask.