List of films featuring powered exoskeletons

Last updated

There is a body of feature films, mainly live-action, featuring powered exoskeletons. [note 1] Popular Mechanics said the growth of visual effects at the start of the 21st century allowed for such exoskeletons to be featured more prominently in live-action films. [1] LiveScience said in 2013 that it was fairly common to see powered exoskeletons in films and that it helped educate the public about potential real-life use. [2]

Contents

List of films

FilmYearRef.
Aliens 1986 [1]
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 2014 [3]
The Ambushers 1967 [4]
Avatar: The Way of Water 2022
The Avengers 2012 [5]
Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015 [6]
Avengers: Infinity War 2018 [7]
Avengers: Endgame 2019
Batman & Robin 1997 [8]
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 2016 [9]
Basket Case 3: The Progeny 1992 [10]
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2022 [11]
Captain America: Civil War 2016 [12]
Edge of Tomorrow 2014 [13]
Elysium 2013 [13]
Exo-Man 1977 [14]
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra 2009 [15]
Iron Man 2008 [1]
Iron Man 2 2010 [1]
Iron Man 3 2013 [16]
Invasion (2020 film) 2020
Spider-Man: Homecoming 2017 [17]
Star Kid 1998 [18]
Starship Troopers 3: Marauder 2008 [8]
The Guyver 1991
The Master Mystery 1919 [19]
The Tuxedo 2002 [8]
The Wolverine 2013 [20]
The Wrong Trousers 1993 [21]
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn 2012 [22]

See also

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mecha</span> Humanoid walking vehicles in science fiction

In science fiction, mecha or mechs are giant robots or machines typically depicted as piloted and as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese after shortening the English loanword 'mechanism' or 'mechanical', but the meaning in Japanese is more inclusive, and 'robot' or 'giant robot' is the narrower term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Man</span> Superhero appearing in Marvel Comics publications

Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 in 1963, and received his own title with Iron Man #1 in 1968. Shortly after his creation, Iron Man was a founding member of a superhero team, the Avengers, with Thor, Ant-Man, Wasp and the Hulk. Iron Man stories, individually and with the Avengers, have been published consistently since the character's creation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weapons in science fiction</span> Use of fictitious futuristic weapons in the SciFi genre

Strange and exotic weapons are a recurring feature in science fiction. In some cases, weapons first introduced in science fiction have been made a reality; other science-fiction weapons remain purely fictional, and are often beyond the realms of known physical possibility.

Crimson Dynamo is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics who have all been powered armor–wearing Russian or Soviet agents who have clashed with the superhero Iron Man over the course of his heroic career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese science fiction</span> Genre of speculative fiction

Science fiction is an important genre of modern Japanese literature that has strongly influenced aspects of contemporary Japanese pop culture, including anime, manga, video games, tokusatsu, and cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Monger</span> Comic book character

Iron Monger is an alias used by multiple fictional characters, supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first character to use the alias is Obadiah Stane, who first appeared in Iron Man #163. The Iron Monger armor first appeared in Iron Man #200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pepper Potts</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Virginia "Pepper" Potts is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writers Stan Lee and Robert Bernstein, and designed by artist Don Heck, the character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #45. Pepper Potts is a supporting character and love interest of the superhero Tony Stark / Iron Man. The character has also been known as Hera and Rescue at various points in her history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superpower (ability)</span> Superhuman ability of a fictional character

A superpower is a special or extraordinary superhuman ability that is greater than what is considered normal. Superpowers are typically displayed in science fiction and fantasy comic books, television programs, video games, and films as the key attribute of a superhero. The concept originated in American comic books and pulp magazines of the 1930s and 1940s, and has gradually worked its way into other genres and media.

Mecha anime and manga, known in Japan as robot anime and robot manga, are anime and manga that feature robots (mecha) in battle. The genre is broken down into two subcategories; "super robot", featuring super-sized, implausible robots, and "real robot", where robots are governed by realistic physics and technological limitations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Patriot</span> Fictional character appearing in the Marvel universe

The Iron Patriot is a patriotism-themed exoskeleton used by several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<i>Iron Man 3</i> 2013 Marvel Studios film

Iron Man 3 is a 2013 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the sequel to Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010), and the seventh film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Shane Black from a screenplay he co-wrote with Drew Pearce, and stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron Man alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stéphanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, William Sadler, Miguel Ferrer, Jon Favreau, and Ben Kingsley. In the film, Tony Stark grapples with the consequences of the events of The Avengers (2012) during a national terrorism campaign on the United States led by the mysterious Mandarin.

Christopher Aaron Wyatt, sometimes credited as Chris "Doc" Wyatt is an American film producer, writer, and second unit director.

E. Paul Zehr is a Canadian professor of kinesiology and neuroscience, and a science communicator at the University of Victoria, in British Columbia, Canada. He is known for his work in the neural control of human locomotion—particularly how the arms and legs interact during walking and neural plasticity associated with exercise training and rehabilitation. Zehr is best known to the general public as the author of the popular science books Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero (2008), Inventing Iron Man: The Possibility of a Human Machine (2011), Project Superhero (2014), and Chasing Captain America (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powered exoskeleton</span> Wearable machine meant to enhance a persons strength and mobility

A powered exoskeleton is a mobile machine that is wearable over all or part of the human body, providing ergonomic structural support and powered by a system of electric motors, pneumatics, levers, hydraulics or a combination of cybernetic technologies, while allowing for sufficient limb movement with increased strength and endurance. The exoskeleton is designed to provide better mechanical load tolerance, and its control system aims to sense and synchronize with the user's intended motion and relay the signal to motors which manage the gears. The exoskeleton also protects the user's shoulder, waist, back and thigh against overload, and stabilizes movements when lifting and holding heavy items.

Lego Super Heroes is a theme and product range of the Lego construction toy, introduced in 2011, owned by The Lego Group and licensed from DC Entertainment, Marvel Entertainment, Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company and Pixar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kuratas</span> Japanese mecha

Kuratas is a rideable and user-operated mecha built by the Japanese company Suidobashi Heavy Industry. Billed as "the world's first giant boarding robot", the Kuratas was unveiled when the website was opened in 2012. It was demonstrated at Wonder Festival. In June 2015, MegaBots challenged Suidobashi Heavy Industry to its first robot duel confronting Kuratas versus their Mark II.

Legacy Effects, LLC is an American special effects studio specializing in creature design, prosthetic makeup, animatronics, and specialty suits.

TALOS was the name given to a powered exoskeleton, first proposed in 2013, that United States Special Operations Command intended to design with the help of universities, laboratories, and the technology industry. The brief for TALOS stated that it had to be bulletproof, weaponized, have the ability to monitor vitals and give the wearer enhanced strength and perception. The suit would comprise layers of smart material and sensors. The suit may have not been intended for an entire squad, but to protect a lead operator who would breach a door first, the most vulnerable team operator in that situation. TALOS was not a program as such; it has been described as an "effort".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Anthony Edward Stark is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise—based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name—commonly known by his alias, Iron Man. Stark is initially depicted as an industrialist, genius inventor, and former playboy who is CEO of Stark Industries. Initially the chief weapons manufacturer for the U.S. military, he has a change of heart and redirects his technical knowledge into the creation of mechanized suits of armor which he uses to defend Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One</span> Group of superhero films

Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. The MCU is the shared universe in which all of the films are set. The phase began in May 2008 with the release of Iron Man and concluded in May 2012 with the release of The Avengers. Kevin Feige produced every film in the phase, with Avi Arad also producing Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, and Gale Anne Hurd also producing The Incredible Hulk.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Sofge, Erik (April 8, 2010). "A History of Iron Men: Science Fiction's 5 Most Iconic Exoskeletons". Popular Mechanics . Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  2. Scharr, Jillian (August 9, 2013). "The Real Tech Behind 'Elysium' Exoskeletons". LiveScience . Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  3. Kramer, Miriam (May 1, 2014). "Spidey Science: 4 Bits of Real Science in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'". LiveScience . Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  4. Pope, Gregory T. (December 1992). "Power Suits". Discover .
  5. McMillan, Graeme (April 29, 2013). "Exoskeletons, Lasers, and Jet Packs: How to Be a Real-Life Iron Man". Wired . Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  6. Keyes, Rob (March 18, 2014). "First Look At Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch & Hulkbuster Designs in 'The Avengers 2′". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  7. Turner, Karen (April 30, 2018). "Avengers: Infinity War's superheroes, explained by an evolutionary biologist". Vox . Retrieved October 31, 2018. Iron Man's armor acts as an exoskeleton, but it's also a prosthetic. The Arc Reactor powers that exoskeleton and also keeps the shrapnel out of Tony Stark's heart, very literally keeping him alive.
  8. 1 2 3 Saathoff, Evan (August 9, 2013). "The Most Awesome Mech Suits in Action/Sci-Fi History". Fandango.com. Fandango . Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  9. Cowden, Catarina. "Why Batman Has A Mech Suit In Batman V Superman".
  10. Cole, Tom (August 5, 2011). "Attack of the Killer Bs: Basket Case 3 (1992)". Radio Times . Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  11. Davis, Brandon (August 19, 2021). "Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams to Debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Exclusive)". ComicBook.com . Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  12. Marr, Chris (April 26, 2016). "Making sense of Iron Man's science". sciencewa.net.au. ScienceNetwork Western Australia. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  13. 1 2 Liptak, Andrew (December 10, 2017). "18 suits of power armor from science fiction you don't want to meet on the battlefield". The Verge . Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  14. Terrace, Larrie (2002). Crime Fighting Heroes of Television: Over 10,000 Facts from 151 Shows, 1949-2001. McFarland. pp. 65–66. ISBN   978-0-7864-8445-4.
  15. Hall, Kevin (August 18, 2009). "The 10 most badass sci-fi battlesuits ever". DVICE. Syfy . Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  16. McDonald, Glenn (May 3, 2013). "Science vs. Fiction: A Real Iron Man Suit?". Discovery News. Discovery Channel . Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  17. Lussier, Germain (April 24, 2017). "Our Best Look Yet at Iron Man's New Suit From Spider-Man: Homecoming". io9 . Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  18. Gates, Anita (January 16, 1998). "Film Review; Wimp to Superwimp: It's His Strong Suit". The New York Times .
  19. Dudenhoeffer, Larrie (2017). "An X-Ray into the Ecto-Prosthetic Superbody". Anatomy of the Superhero Film. Springer. p. 234. ISBN   978-3-319-57922-1.
  20. Harrison, Eddie (July 24, 2013). "The Wolverine". The List. The List . Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  21. Roland, Denise (July 8, 2014). "Techno trousers that give wheelchair users chance to walk again". The Telegraph . Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  22. "Science Takes One Step Closer To Halo's Spartan Armor". Game Informer. Retrieved 2023-08-10.