Iron Man 2 is a sequel to 2008's Iron Man. The film is directed by Jon Favreau, with Robert Downey Jr. reprising the title role of Tony Stark. Before filming began though, Downey revealed the film was not an adaptation of Demon in a Bottle, but rather about the "interim space" and a look behind the mask. For the sequel, Don Cheadle is replacing Terrence Howard as Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes, who eventually becomes War Machine.

Mickey Rourke (Ivan Vanko/Whiplash), Sam Rockwell (Justin Hammer) and Scarlett Johanson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow) also joined the cast with Samuel L. Jackson returning as Nick Fury, reprising a cameo role he started at the end of the first film. Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) was hired to write the screenplay and principal photography began on Monday, April 6, 2009.

The official trailer was released on December 16, 2009.